RESEARCH THEMES

Our research is guided by the Behavioral Epidemiology Framework (Sallis et al., 2000), which provides a systematic sequence of studies leading to the development and implementation of effective, evidence-based interventions directed at targeted populations. The scope of our research is broad and largely cross-disciplinary, addressing the key phases of the behavioral epidemiological framework. Particularly, our lab is building foundation of a research agenda focused on the following themes: 

• Theme 1: Examining the links between physical activity/sedentary behaviors and health

Addressing public health issues pertaining to physical activity and sedentary behaviors by examining their impacts on chronic health conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, or sleep disorders across diverse population groups.

• Theme 2: Validating & Refining methods for measuring physical activity/sedentary behaviors

Addressing the measurement issues in both objectively and subjectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviors.

• Theme 3: Identifying factors that influence physical activity

Addressing personal and contextual/.environmental factors that influence physical activity and sedentary behaviors.

• Theme 4: Developing and evaluating behavioral change intervention

Addressing behavioral intervention strategies to promote physical activity in diverse settings.

CURRENT PROJECTS (Dr. Kim's research group as PI only)

• Healthy Aging Study (PI: Youngdeok Kim, Phase: Data collection).

• Objectively measured movement behaviors, cardiorespiratory fitness, and health among adults with and without a history of preexisting comorbidity conditions using UK Biobank. (PI: Youngdeok Kim, Phase: Data acquisition).

• Development and evaluation of a theory-driven, wearable-technology facilitated intervention to promote adherence to home-based cardiac rehabilitation among underserved patients with heart failure: A pilot study (PI: Dr. Kim; Phase: IRB preparing; Funded by the VCU CCTR Endowment Fund)

• 24-hour movement in relation to cardiorespiratory fitness among heart failure patients (PI: Jonathan Kenyon, Phase: data collection, Funded by the ACSM Doctoral Student Research Grant)

• Examining validity of commercial- and research-grade activity trackers for the assessment of physical activity in patients with heart failure (PI: Jisu Kim; Phase: data collection/analysis/writing the results)

• Examining socio-ecological correlates of physical activity among patients with heart failure (PI: Dr. Kim; Phase: data analysis)