The centers include an extensive Research Center focused on the promotion of physical activity. Under the direction of Bess Marcus, PhD, the faculty within this Center have received funding from the National Cancer Institute, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Mental Health, the American Heart Association, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to support their work.

Research studies focus on measurement development, theory testing, clinical trials, and public health/dissemination studies. Populations being studied include young adults, middle aged adults, older adults and underserved populations. Studies focus on primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Intervention trials are delivered in hospital-based facilities as well as worksites, the community, and the primary care setting. Delivery channels for interventions include targeted and tailored print material, telephone counseling, and face-to-face counseling in order to find the most efficacious treatments possible. Specific studies include:

Faculty:
Bess Marcus, PhD, Director
Judith DePue, EdD,MPH
Elizabeth Lloyd Richardson, PhD
Suzanne Phelan, PhD
Bernardine Pinto, PhD
Carolyn Rabin, PhD
Hollie Raynor, PhD
John Todaro, PhD
David Williams, PhD
Rena Wing, PhD

Physical Activity Research Center