Dr. Zan Gao, assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Physical Activity Epidemiology Lab (PAEL), organized a research symposium titled, “Impact of School-based Physical Activity Programs on Children’s Health,” at the 2014 American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) National Convention & Expo in Charlotte, NC.  The purpose of this symposium was to investigate the effects of different school-based physical activity programs on children’s health outcomes, such as energy expenditure and self-esteem.

Gao presented papers, delivered a first-author oral presentation, and co-presented five projects with his colleagues, graduate students, and former advisee.

The two first-authored papers Gao presented at the symposium were titled, “Impact of exergaming on elementary children’s physical activity levels,” and, “Effects of DDR-based exercise on children’s self-esteem and physical activity.”  The following are citations of the first-author oral presentation Gao delivered and the five papers  Gao and his colleagues, graduate students, or former advisee’s presented at AAHPERD.

• Gao, Z., Stodden, D., & Feng, D. (2014, April). Associations among elementary children’s motor skills, fitness and physical activity.
• Chen, S., Xiang, P., & Gao, Z. (2014, April). Relationships between students’ perceived relatedness and motivational outcomes in PE.
• Fu, Y., & Gao, Z. (2014, April). Impact of BMI on children’s fitness and enjoyment in PE.
• Huang, C., & Gao, Z. (2014, April). Physical activity, Social-Cognitive variables, and stages of change in adolescents.
• Lee, J., Gao, Z., & Nelson, T.F. (2014, April). The role of youth sports in promoting children’s physical activity.
• Yi, X., Gao, Z., & Chen, L. (2014, April). Examining Social Ecological determinants of RPA among Chinese Elderly.