Research Focus
- Investigate relationships among musculoskeletal injury history, aging, health behaviors, and quality of life
- Develop programs to enhance health knowledge and personal health awareness for girls and women
- Implement evidence-based physical activity promotion interventions for girls, women, and families
- Understand the impact of physical activity mentoring on youth participants and college-aged mentors
Research
University of Kentucky Land Grant Engagement funding & matching funds from the College of Health Sciences Office of Research
Project Title: Families Moving Together: Building a curriculum to engage preschool-aged children and their families in physical activity together
Funding Amount: $18,137
Project Period: February 20, 2025 - June 15, 2026
AGHW Director Dr. Dee Dlugonski secured funding to support the development of a 6-week Families Moving Together curriculum to encourage Kentucky families to be active together. In partnership with Cooperative Extension and the Community Action Council, the team is testing the effectiveness of this program for increasing physical activity among preschoolers and their parents in community settings.
UK Healthcare Healthy Kentucky Initiative Grant 2025
Project Title: Promoting physical activity and health among youth and families
Funding Amount: $150,000
Project Period: July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2028
This grant supports the expansion of the Active Girls Healthy Women (AGHW) program to promote physical activity and health among Kentucky youth and families through evidence-informed, community-based programming. Funding will strengthen staffing and infrastructure to deliver resources, develop age-specific physical activity lessons, and engage trained college student Movement Mentors in schools and community settings. Over three years, the project aims to increase access to enjoyable, sustainable physical activity opportunities and build capacity for long-term impact across communities.
Adolescent physical activity promotion
Douglas, A., Hoch, J. M., Dlugonski, D. (2024). Perceptions of Peer and Parental Support: Feasibility of a Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescent Girls. International Journal of Exercise Science, 17(5), 1352-1360.
Dlugonski, D., Douglas, A., Henning, J., Hoch, J. M. (2024). Feasibility of an After-School Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescent Girls. American Journal of Health Education, 55(6), 456-465.
Young adult physical activity, health, and well-being
Vanderford, C., Dlugonski, D., Potter, D., Hoch, JM. (2025). Physical Activity and Sleep as Predictors of Well-Being in Young Adults, American Journal of Health Promotion.
Kleis, R. R., Dlugonski, D., Baker, C., Hoch, J. M., Hoch, M. C. (2022). Examining Physical Literacy in Young Adults: Psychometric Properties of the PLAYself. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 47(9), 926-932.
McKay, C., Hoch, J. M., Hoch, M. C., Dlugonski, D. (2022). Sports Specialization, Physical Literacy, and Physical Activity Levels in Young Adults. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 32(2), 190-195.
Family physical activity
Dlugonski D., Cecil A., Ohrnberger E., Osborne R., White B., Mabson R., Hoch J. M. (2024). Co-designing a Physical Activity Intervention for Low-Income Mothers Of Preschool-Aged Children With Community Leaders: A Qualitative Study. BMC Public Health, 24(1): 3481.
Injury, Physical activity, and Health
Gadd, N., Hoch, J. M., McKay, C. M., Tinsley, J., Dlugonski, D. (2025). Youth Sport Participation, Injury History, and Current Physical Activity among Young Adults. American Journal of College Health, 73(2), 652-657.
Hoch, J. M., Swann, A., Kleis, R. R., Hoch, M. C., Baker, C., Dlugonski, D. (2024). Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychological Outcomes in Participants with Symptomatic and Non-Symptomatic Knees after ACL Reconstruction. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy ,19(2), 206-214.
Kleis R. R., Dlugonski, D., Hoch, M. C., Hogg-Graham, R., Slone, S., Hoch, J. M. (2024). Personal and Social Correlates Of Self-Reported Physical Activity In Individuals With a History Of ACL Reconstruction. International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training, 29(5), 278-284.
Kleis, R. R., Hoch, M. C., Dlugonski, D., & Hoch, J. M. (2021). The Utilization of the Theory of Planned and Self-Determination Theory to Improve Physical Activity Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 27(1), 25-30.
Barchek, A., Dlugonski, D., Baez, S. E., Hoch, J. M., Hoch, M. C. (2021). The Relationship between Injury-Related Fear and Physical Activity in People with a History of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Physical Therapy in Sport, 50, 201 – 205.
Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Physical activity
Nowell K., Dlugonski D., DeFranco E. A., May, L. E., Hoch, J. (2026). A Theoretical Approach to Improving Physical Activity During Pregnancy with Co-Participation and the Application of Social Support Theory, Women, 6(1).
Nowell K., Dlugonski D., DeFranco E.A., May, L.E., Hawk, G., Hoch, J. (2025). Relationship Between Social Determinants of Health, Health-Related Quality of Life, Health Perceptions, and Physical Activity During Pregnancy, Women’s Health, Dec 20(21).
Nowell K., Dlugonski D., DeFranco E. A., May, L. E., Hoch, J. (2025). Interventions to Increase Self-Reported Physical Activity During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Women’s Health.
Hoch, J. M., Dlugonski, D., Hogg-Graham, R., Lyons, J., Slone, S., Jones, M. (2024). Physical Inactivity Among American Single-Female Caregivers: An Analysis of the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Women’s Health.
“The most meaningful part of my experience on the AGHW research team is how mission-driven our work is. I’m inspired that our research is making a real difference in people’s lives. With Dr. Dee Dlugonski’s mentorship and a team that encourages curiosity and critical thinking, I’ve gained hands-on experience across the full research process—an opportunity that has shaped my journey at the University of Kentucky.” – Bella Skibba, Undergraduate Research Assistant