Physical Activity Research in Community Settings

Director: Dr. Gina Besenyi

Welcome to the Physical Activity Research in Community Settings (PARCS) Laboratory! The PARCS Lab is housed in the School of Health Sciences in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Kansas State University.

Lab Overview

The mission of the PARCS laboratory is to better understand how the neighborhoods and communities in which we live, work, and play affect the health and well-being of residents of all ages. Within this broader field of health promotion, Dr. Besenyi has a specific interest in the role of parks and nature, and how improving, accessing, and actively using such community resources reduces population risk of chronic disease (e.g., cardiovascular disease, depression, obesity) and related mortality. As well, Dr. Besenyi has expertise in how innovative technology can be utilized to address health equity.

The goals of the PARCS Lab are to:

1. Explore how various population segments experience differential access to environmental resources
2. Understand how disparities in the built environment impact health behaviors (e.g., physical activity) and outcomes (e.g., chronic disease)
3. Develop tools and implement interventions to promote equitable participation in physical activity that promotes health and well-being at the individual and community levels.
4. Create training and programming for outdoor physical activity within healthcare settings (e.g., Park Prescriptions, NatureRx).

Recent Publications

Jiang, Q., Carlson, J., Kaczynski, A., Shook, R., Besenyi, G.M., Steel, C., Moon, M., Hampl, S., & Wilhelm Stanis, S. (2023) Neighborhood park access and park characteristics are associated with weight status in youth. Health and Place, 83, 103116. doi 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103116

Bramwell, R.C., Streetman, A.E., Besenyi, G.M. (2023). The effect of outdoor and indoor group exercise on psychological stress in college students: A pilot study with randomization. International Journal of Exercise Science, 16(5), 1012-1024.

Do, B., Kirkland, C., Besenyi, G.M., Smock, C., Lanza, K. (2022). Youth physical activity and the COVID-19: A systematic review. Preventive Medicine Reports. doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101959

Besenyi, G.M., Bramwell, R.C.,* Heinrich, K.M., Mailey, E.L., McEvoy, J.P., Davis, C.L. (2022). A Qualitative exploration of park-based physical activity in adults with serious mental illness: Insights from peers and peer counselors. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 100466.

Mailey, E.L., Besenyi, G.M., Durtschi, J. (2022). Mental health practitioners represent a promising pathway to promote park-based physical activity. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 100439.

Besenyi, G.M., Pruneda, Oziel*, DeBlauw, J., Beattie, C., Mailey, E.L., Gustat, J., Heinrich, K.M. (2021). Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity behavior across domains and settings. Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living, 1(4), 169-185.

Christiana, R.W., Besenyi, G.M., Gustat, J., Horton, T. H., Pembroke, T. L., Schultz, C.L. (2021). A scoping review of the health benefits of nature-based physical activity. Journal of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, 1(3).

Besenyi, G.M., Hayashi, E.B.,* Christiana, R.W. (2020). Prescribing physical activity in parks and nature: Health care provider insights on Park Prescription Programs. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. Advance online publication. doi 10.1123/jpah.2019-0479.

Besenyi, G.M., Schooley, B.L., Turner-McGrievy, G., Wilcox, S., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., & Kaczynski, A.T. (2018). The electronic community Park Audit Tool (eCPAT) Project: Exploring the use of mobile technology for youth empowerment and advocacy for healthy community policy, systems, and environmental change. Frontiers in Public Health, 6, 332.

Besenyi, G.M., Diehl, P., Schooley, B., Turner-McGrievy, G.M., Wilcox, S., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Kaczynski, A.T. (2016). Development and testing of mobile technology for community engagement in park improvements: Validity and reliability of the eCPAT application with youth. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 1-14.

Kaczynski, A.T., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., & Besenyi, G.M. (2012). Development and testing of a community stakeholder park audit tool. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42(3), 242-249.

Lab Personnel

Omotayo Onanuga, Graduate student/Lab manager
Cameron Connolly, Undergraduate student/Research assistant
Aiden Field, Undergraduate student/Research assistant
Alex House, Undergraduate student/Research assistant
Alynna Mattox, Undergraduate student/Research assistant
Sydney Nyp, Undergraduate student/Research assistant
Cavan Reavy, Undergraduate student/Research assistant
Allison Ross, Undergraduate student/Research assistant
Trace Witham, Undergraduate student/Research assistant

Thank you for your interest in the PARCS Lab. Please visit our opportunities page for information on how to get involved and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or suggestions.