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Disability and Physical Activity

Primary Associated Faculty


Associated Doctoral Students

  • Brantley Ballenger
  • Po-Lin (Leo) Chen 

Research Emphasis

  • Physical Activity Assessment
  • Relationships of Physical Activity and Physical Fitness with Health Outcomes
  • Physiology of Movement
  • Movement Patterns
  • Psychology of Physical Activity

Recent Publications

  • Bertapelli, F., Johnson, M., Pitetti, K.H., Smith, M.C., Carlson, B., Curtis, J.S., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2021). Association between sleep quality and physical functioning in adults with Down syndrome: A brief report. Disability and Health Journal. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101173

  • Bertapelli, F. Choi, P., Allred, A.T., Pitchford, A., Guerra-Junior, G., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2020). Predicting energy expenditure from step counts using Actigraph waist-worn accelerometers in adults with Down syndrome. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 64(8), 602-611. doi:10.1111/jir.12755

  • Gosh, S., Choi, P., Brown, S.P., Motl, R.W., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2021). Levels and patterns of sedentary behavior in adults with intellectual disability. Disability and Health Journal, 14(3). doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.101059

  • Agiovlasitis, S., Jin, J., & Yun, J. (2021). Age-group differences in body mass index, weight, and height in adults with Down syndrome and adults with intellectual disability from the United States. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 38(1), 79-94.

  • Choi, P., Wei, E., Motl, R.W., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2020). Risk factors associated with history of falls in adults with intellectual disability. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 106, 103748. doi:  10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103748

  • Xu, J., Choi, P., Motl, R.W., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2020). Is physical activity associated with physical performance in adults with intellectual disability? Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 37(3), 289-303. doi: 10.1123/apaq.2019-0128

  • Allred, A.T., Choi, P., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2020). Oxygen uptake and triaxial accelerometer output in adults with Down syndrome. Disability and Rehabilitation. doi: 10.1080/09638288.20191706648

  • Agiovlasitis, S., Choi, P., Allred, A.T., Xu, J., & Motl, R.W. (2020). Systematic review of sedentary behavior in people with Down syndrome across the lifespan: A clarion call. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(2), 146-159. doi: 10.1111/jar.12659

  • Agiovlasitis, S., Mendonca, G.V., McCubbin, J.A., & Fernhall, B. (2018). Energy expenditure during walking in adults with and without Down syndrome. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, Suppl 1, 151-156. doi: 10.1111/jar.12392

  • Bertapelli, F., Curtis, J.S., Carlson, B., Johnson, M., Abadie, B., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2019). Step-counting accuracy of activity monitors in persons with Down syndrome. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 63(1), 21-30. doi: 10.1111/jir.12550

  • Love, A., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2016). How is physical activity perceived by adults with Down syndrome? Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 33(3), 253-270. doi: 10.1123/APAQ.2015-0042

  • Chen, C.C., Ringenbach, S.D.R. Crews, D., Kulinna, P., & Amazeen, E. (2015). The association between a single bout of moderate physical activity and executive function in young adults with Down syndrome: A preliminary study. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 59(7), 589-598.

  • Ringenbach, S.D.R., Zimmerman, K., Chen, C.C., Mulvey, G.M., Weeks, D.J., & Michael, H.T. (2014). Adults with Down syndrome performed repetitive movements fast with continuous music cues. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 2(3), 47-54.

  • Chen, C.C., Ringenbach, S.D.R, & Snow, M. (2014). Treadmill Walking Effects on Grip Strength in Young Men with Down Syndrome. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35, 288-293.

  • Chen, C.C., Spanò, G., & Edgin, J. (2013). The Impact of Sleep Disruption on Executive Function in Down Syndrome. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34, 2033-2039.