Research
Objectives
The Texas Physical Activity Research Collaborative (Texas PARC) was founded by the late Harold W. (Bill) Kohl, III. TPARC's faculty, students, and postdoctoral fellows seek to advance Physical Activity and Public Health research, practice, and graduate education throughout the state of Texas, the US, and the world. Whether physical activity is studied as an exposure, as an outcome, or as a policy, more people who are more active will make healthier populations. Our group continues to work together to honor the legacy of Bill Kohl and we invite you to read a tribute to him, authored by many current members and alumni of this collaborative. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/21/3/article-p212.xml
Projects
Implementing Classroom-Based Physical Activity Approaches in Schools
Classroom-based physical activity approaches are an evidence-based way to support student’s physical activity, behavior, and learning. This study sets out to develop and test an implementation strategy to improve the use of classroom-based physical activity approaches among teachers in elementary schools.
Routes to Environmental Justice: Assessment of Ambient Environmental Exposures
Extreme heat may threaten the effectiveness of interventions for child physical activity including the national program Safe Routes to School. Using modeled estimates of heat stress and children’s geolocated physical activity on school routes, this three-year, NIH-funded study will determine the relations between built environment changes from Safe Routes to School, children’s exposure to ambient temperature, and their active school commuting behavior. Research findings can provide evidence for whether urban heat management strategies are needed to be incorporated as environmental interventions within Safe Routes to School and other programs designed to promote physical activity.
Enhancing Pediatric Heart-Brain Health Equity Using Machine Learning
This research initiative is dedicated to understanding the multifaceted impact of pediatric cardiovascular health and metabolic disorders, such as elevated blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, on adolescent brain development and executive function. By meticulously analyzing detailed neuroimaging data and extensive health metrics over the critical transition from childhood into adolescence, our project seeks to delineate how these health conditions influence neurodevelopmental trajectories. The primary objective is to develop comprehensive predictive models integrating clinical, behavioral, and environmental factors to identify at-risk children accurately. This effort aims not only to enhance early detection but also to facilitate the implementation of effective, tailored interventions that can preempt or ameliorate adverse developmental outcomes.
Healthy Liver/Higado Sano Study
The Healthy Liver/Higado Sano Study aims to develop and pilot test a multilevel, multidomain behavioral lifestyle intervention to promote physical activity and healthy diet for Hispanic/Latino adults with metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
