Our team’s research focuses on how we can use social relationships to support physical activity participation. I specialize in designing community-based programs to increase physical activity among women, children, and families in ways that are effective, sustainable, and scalable.
Families Moving Together
This 6-week program was created to help families with preschoolers get active together! Families Moving Together was designed and implemented in collaboration with community partners, colleagues, and student researchers.
Selected publications and presentations
Bhandari M*, Skibba I*, Lawrence O*, and Dlugonski D. (2026).The impact of a pilot family physical activity intervention on parent self-efficacy and physical activity. Poster presentation at the Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Greenville, SC, February 2026.
Skibba I*, Bhandari M*, Lawrence O*, and Dlugonski D. (2026). A pilot study to promote a positive health climate among families of preschoolers. Oral presentation at the Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Greenville, SC, February 2026.
Dlugonski D, Cecil A*, Ohrnberger E*, Osborne R*, White B, Mabson R, Hoch JM. (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.
Dlugonski D, Cecil A, White B, Mabson R, and Hoch JM. (2025). Implementing a family-and community-intervention to increase physical activity among low-income families with preschool-aged children. Oral presentation at the Active Living Conference, Manhattan, KS, March 2025.
*student author
Girls Can Move!
This 8-week afterschool program provides middle school girls with opportunities to try a variety of physical activities with the support of college-aged active role models, Movement Mentors. In our pilot study, girls reported increased social support and demonstrated increased objectively measured physical activity after the intervention. Want to bring this program to your school in the Lexington, Kentucky area? Contact me!
Selected Publications and Presentations
Douglas A*, Hoch JM, 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 JM. (2024). Feasibility of an After-School Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescent Girls. American Journal of Health Education, 55(6), 456-465.
Movement Mentors
Movement Mentors is a student-led organization, where college students volunteer to promote physical activity among youth in the community. This organization provides college students with applied learning opportunities to develop essential workforce skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership while developing social connections with their peers and community members.
Selected Publications and Presentations
Kopyonkina K, Skibba I*, Leidner V*, Hoch JM, and Dlugonski D. (2026). Movement Mentors: A Campus-Community Model to Support Undergraduate Wellbeing. Poster presentation at the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences Annual Conference, Lexington, KY, March 2026.
Dlugonski D, Hoch JM, Kopyonkina K, Skibba I, Bhandari M, Das BM. (under review). Connecting College Students and Youth Through Movement: Development of aLogic Model for the Movement Mentors University Student Organization.
Dee Dlugonski, PhD 