Externally Funded Projects

Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis. Co-Investigator. (Robert Motl, PI). National Institute on Neurological Disease and Stroke, September 1, 2006 – February 28, 2009.

This project examines the cross-section and prospective relationship between physical activity and quality of life among adults with multiple sclerosis. 

Do Symptoms Predict Reduction of Physical Activity in MS. Co-Investigator. (Robert Motl, PI) National Multiple Sclerosis Society, October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2012 .

This project examines the symptoms as a predictor of the dramatic reduction of physical activity among adults with multiple sclerosis. 

Project PEER: Peer education, Exercising and Eating Right. Co-Director. (Ellen Evans, Director).   United States Department of Agriculture, March 1, 2008 – March 1, 2012.

This project examines the dietary and physical activity behaviors of freshman females on the University of Illinois campus. 

Psychological Disorders on Campus. Principal Investigator. (Edward McAuley, Robert Motl, Kimberly Collins, David Strauser, Co-PIs ) . Critical Initiatives in Research and Scholarship, August 1, 2007 - July 30, 2009.

This project is a randomized controlled trial examining the effects of an Internet delivered physical activity program on psychosocial outcomes, academic performance, and social involvement in undergraduate students with mental health disorders.

Influence of fitness on brain and cognition. (Edward McAuley and Art Kramer), Co-PIs. National Institute on Aging, August 1, 2005 - July 31, 2010.

Healthy, Active Lifestyle Trial (HALT): A large-scale randomized controlled exercise trial examining the effects of fitness changes on brain structure and cognition, physical and psychological function.

Exercise, executive processes, and the aging brain. Co-Investigator. (Charles Hillman, PI). National Institute on Aging, August 1, 2003 - July 31, 2007.

Minds In Motion (MIM): A 5-month exercise intervention examining effects of aerobic and non-aerobic activity on executive processes in old adults.

Nurse managed upper body strength in COPD. Co-Investigator. (Janet Larson, PI, University of Illinois-Chicago). National Institute of Nursing Research, Sept 1, 2002 - August 30, 2008.

A randomized controlled trial examining the effects of a short-term self-efficacy based upper body strength training program on dyspnea, functional performance, and strength in Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients.

Studying neurovascular coupling in aging with optical methods. Co-Investigator. (Monica Fabiani, PI). National Institute on Aging. October 2002-September 2008.

A series of experiments examining relationships between fitness and brain structure and function using optical imaging.

Activity, Gait and Efficacy (AGE) in older women. (Edward McAuley, PI). National Institute on Aging. August, 2002- July, 2007.
  
Activity, Gait and Efficacy (AGE) in older women. (Supplement). (Edward McAuley, PI). National Institute on Aging. February, 2004- July, 2007.

A 5-year prospective study examining the effects of aging on physical activity, functional ability, and psychological function.

Physical activity, aging, and immune function. Co-Investigator. (Jeff Woods, PI). National Institute on Aging, May 1, 2002 - April 30, 2007.

Immune Function Intervention Trials (IMFIT): A 2-arm exercise examining the effects of a ten-month exercise program on immune function among older adults.

Self-efficacy and exercise adherence in MS patients. (Edward McAuley, PI). National Multiple Sclerosis Society. April 1, 2005 - December 1, 2006.

Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis (PHAIM-S): A 3-month exercise trial with 2-arms (efficacy enhancement and standard care) examining exercise adherence in MS patients.

Exercise and rural breast cancer survivors. Consultant.(Laura Rogers, PI). Illinois America Cancer Society, Oct 1, 2006- September 30, 2008.

This project involves the application of social cognitive theory in examining physical activity correlates in rural breast cancer survivors.