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:
- Explore how various population segments experience differential access to environmental resources
- Understand how disparities in the built environment impact health behaviors (e.g., physical activity) and outcomes (e.g., chronic disease)
- Develop tools and implement interventions to promote equitable participation in physical activity that promotes health and well-being at the individual and community levels.
- 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
| Victor Andrews | Graduate Student |
| Cristina Alamos | Graduate Research Assistant |
| Andrew Argie | Graduate Research Assistant |
| Karsen DeWeese | Graduate Student |
| Kendra Marstall | Graduate Research Assistant |
| Omotayo Onanuga | Graduate Student |
| Tyler Vallender | Graduate Research Assistant |
| Harold Wilcox | Graduate Student |
| Bradford Wiles | Graduate Student |
| Cameron Connolly | Undergraduate volunteer |
| Russell Coy | Undergraduate volunteer |
| Tristen Cushing | Undergraduate volunteer |
| Katie Free | Undergraduate volunteer |
| Austin Fulton | Undergraduate volunteer |
| Bryce Gudenkauf | Undergraduate volunteer |
| Cooper Jepsen | Undergraduate volunteer |
| Esmeralda Rico-Martinez | Undergraduate volunteer |
| Jeremy Sloan | Undergraduate volunteer |
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.