Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory

The Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory is comprised of two divisions co-directed by Lyndsey Hornbuckle (Community & Cultural Engagement) and Kelley Strohacker (Psycho-behavioral Aspects of Exercise Adherence). Please visit their individual links below for information related to their respective laboratory groups.

Dr. Lyndsey Hornbuckle, PhD, FACSM

Activities in Dr. Hornbuckle’s division (Community & Cultural Engagement) of the Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory include both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analyses to support the development of physical activity and exercise interventions, as well as the evaluation of intervention outcomes and processes. Dr. Hornbuckle’s laboratory is purposeful in working to fulfill the University of Tennessee’s land-grant mission to “identify community needs and activate university resources to meet those needs” by directly engaging the local community in efforts to develop and provide opportunities to participate in exercises for optimal health.

Recent Community-Engaged Scholarship

Refereed Journal Articles

Hornbuckle, L.M., A. Rauer. Engaging a community advisory board to inform an exercise intervention in older African-American couples. Journal of Primary Prevention.  41(3):261-278, 2020.

Hornbuckle, L.M., A. Rauer, K.M. Winters-Stone, C. Springer, *C.S. Jones, L.P. Toth.  Better together? A pilot study of romantic partner influence on exercise adherence and cardiometabolic risk factors in African-American couples. Journal of Racial & Ethnic Health Disparities. 8(6):1492-1504, 2021.

Hornbuckle, L.M., C.S. Barroso, A. Rauer, *C.S. Jones, K.M. Winters-Stone. “It was just for us”: qualitative evaluation of an exercise intervention for African-American couples. BMC Public Health. 21:838, 1-12, 2021.

Hornbuckle, L.M., W. McLean Cooke, A. Rauer, C.S. Barroso. African American couples’ experiences during an exercise intervention interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative case study. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health. 19(7):4190, 2022.

Professional Conference Presentations

Hornbuckle, L.M., C.S. Barroso, A.J. Rauer, *C.S. Jones, K.M. Winters-Stone (2021). Poster: “It was just for us”: qualitative evaluation of an exercise intervention for older African-American couples. American Heart Association Epidemiology & Prevention/Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health (EPI/Lifestyle) Scientific Sessions, Virtual.

Rauer, A., W. McLean Cooke, L.M. Hornbuckle (2022). Oral: How do older African American couples take care of each other?: a dyadic, qualitative analysis. Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting, Indianapolis, IN.

Hornbuckle, L.M., C.S. Barroso, *J. Rosser, K.M. Winters-Stone (2023). Poster: Utilizing community engagement studios to inform couples-based exercise research in African American adults coping with cancer. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

Hornbuckle, L.M., A. Rauer, C.S. Barroso (2023). Oral: Effect of partner support during exercise in African-American adult dyads: community advisory board expansion. UT Community Engagement & Outreach Conference, Knoxville, TN.

Recent Community Involvement

Dr. Hornbuckle and several students in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport Studies are proud to participate regularly in community events that promote various aspects of health and wellness.

• July 2023

Community Health & Fitness Day featuring Ca-L’a Fitness (Provision of health screenings and education; individual and group exercise session)

• August 2023

100 Black Men of Knoxville Annual Health Fair (Provision health screenings and education)

Richard Williams Jr. Leadership Academy Primary Cadets. “Physical Self: Physical Activity & Nutrition Basics” (Invited speaker)

• November 2023

Knox County Community Action Committee Office on Aging Annual Conference – Aging: A Family Affair. “Movement as Medicine: The Importance of Staying Physically Active” (Invited speaker)

UT Libraries/Beck Cultural Exchange Center Event – Understanding Black Mental Health (Provision of health screenings and education)

• December 2023

Women of Wisdom Breast Cancer Survivor Support Group.  “Encouraging Physical Activity in Black Cancer Communities” (Invited speaker)

Please see Publications & Presentations section for a list and overview of recent work completed in Dr. Hornbuckle’s division of the Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory. For further questions about ongoing or future projects, please contact Dr. Hornbuckle directly at lhornbuc@utk.edu.

Dr. Kelley Strohacker 

Research conducted in Dr. Strohacker’s laboratory is guided by contemporary theory and empirical evidence to design, test, and refine approaches for exercise programming that are goal-oriented and behaviorally sensitive to help individuals consistently engage in physical activities that support their health and well-being. Primary research objectives are achieved through:

• Applying a ‘Biopsychosocial’ perspective, recognizing that purposeful physical activity – including exercise – is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon
• Understanding contemporary theories in exercise psychology (Affective-Reflective Theory of Physical Inactivity and Exercise; Theory of Effort Minimization in Physical Activity) to inform research objectives.
• Using expert-created frameworks (Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials Model; Medical Research Council Framework for Developing and Evaluating Complex Interventions) to transparently and efficiently conduct research that demonstrates diversity in perspectives and methods:
• Conducting variable-centered experimental studies to test how pre-exercise perceptions and cognitions generally impact effort (activity duration, intensity) and affective experience (pleasure vs. displeasure) during imposed and self-determined activity across individuals
• Leveraging widespread smartphone ownership to conduct ecological momentary assessments (i.e., surveys repeatedly conducted in real-time within a person’s natural environment) to examine person-specific associations between pre-exercise states and exercise outcomes
• Exploring adults’ lived experiences regarding exercise-related readiness, effort, and affective responses using qualitative and mixed-methods approaches
• Training motivated and qualified graduate students to continue expanding adherence-related research in academic positions or effectively apply exercise psychology with clients and patients in fitness or allied health careers

Project Title: Exploring Within-Person Differences in Physical Activity Experiences Over Time

Timeline: 2022-Present

PI: Strohacker, K

Co-I: Sudeck, G & Keegan, R

Study Overview

This study captured ecological momentary assessments relating to instances of purposeful physical activity performed for 10 consecutive weeks by adults in the United States and Germany for 10 consecutive weeks. The primary objective is to explore differences in physical activity mode, effort, and experience both across and within individuals. Preliminary data supports substantial heterogeneity in volitional physical activity over time, with observable fluctuations in pre-activity physical, cognitive, and emotional readiness, and dynamic shifts in situational motivations to perform activity. Further, the strength and direction of associations between pre-exercise ratings (readiness, situational motivation) and activity outcomes (duration, intensity, pleasure) are variable across individuals. Identifying which determinants of LTPA are unique to a person, are shared within an identifiable subgroup, and are shared across the general population aligns with expert-led calls to view physical activity as a complex health behavior, requiring interventions that are individualized and person-adaptive

Project Title: Exploring Regular Exercisers’ Experiences with Readiness/Recovery Scores Produced by Wearable Devices: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Timeline: 2023-Present

PI: Ibrahim, I

Co-I: Strohacker, K; Beaumont, CT; Cain, LK

Study Overview

Certain consumer wearables have been designed to guide users’ exercise decisions by providing ‘recovery’ or ‘readiness’ scores, but there is limited research on how users interact, interpret, and use these scores. This study was developed to address this gap by interviewing 17 regular exercisers who own a Whoop™ band or Oura™ ring and using reflexive thematic analyses to summarize user experiences. Results indicate that

respondents do use the wearable for its intended purpose of guiding training (Theme 1), but concurrently use the metrics to guide behaviors in order to enhance recovery/readiness (Theme 2). Because they find the data personally validating (Theme 3), they are empowered to engage in self-discovery activities related to training and non-training responses (Theme 4). Ultimately there is recognition of the device’s limitations/error, still necessitating self-directed behavior (Theme 5). Participants responses also indicated the potential for undesirable reactivity to the provided metrics (Theme 6).

The Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory is located in the Health, Physical Education, & Recreation (HPER) Building on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus. This approximately 3,000 square foot laboratory houses an assortment of equipment to support a variety of research and community programs. Additionally, the laboratory has open floor space available that is sufficient to hold group exercise activities and a separate area for research study intake and participant meetings. The laboratory exists to provide a space to encourage the adoption of and long-term participation in exercise for the purpose of improving health outcomes and quality of life in a range of diverse populations. Specific equipment available in the Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory includes:

• Star Trac^® & Cybex^® resistance training machine circuit for total body
• Bowflex^® adjustable dumbbell sets
• Matrix^® treadmills, recumbent and upright bicycles, a rower, and a stair climber
• Portable stadiometer and weight scale
• Automated blood pressure cuffs

Hornbuckle, L.M., A. Rauer.  Engaging a community advisory board to inform an exercise intervention in older African-American couples. Journal of Primary Prevention. 41(3):261-278, 2020.

Strohacker K., *C.T. Beaumont.  The Shared Criticisms of Periodization Models and Behavior Change Theories for Exercise: An Opportunity for Collaborative Advancement? Kinesiology Review. (2020) May 9;2:170-178. DOI:10.1123/kr.2019-0051

Hornbuckle, L.M.  Running while Black: a distinctive safety concern and barrier to exercise in White neighborhoods. Preventive Medicine Reports. 22, 1-3, eCollection

2021.

Hornbuckle, L.M., A. Rauer, K.M. Winters-Stone, C. Springer, *C.S. Jones, *L.P. Toth.  Better together? A pilot study of romantic partner influence on exercise adherence and cardiometabolic risk factors in African-American couples. Journal of Racial & Ethnic Health Disparities. 8(6):1492-1504, 2021.

Hornbuckle, L.M., C.S. Barroso, A. Rauer, *C.S. Jones, K.M. Winters-Stone.  “It was just for us”: qualitative evaluation of an exercise intervention for African-American couples. BMC Public Health. 21:838, 1-12, 2021.

 Strohacker K., R. Keegan, *C.T. Beaumont, R.A. Zakrajsek.  Applying P-Technique Factor Analysis to Explore Person-Specific Models of Readiness-To-Exercise. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (2021) June 3:685813. DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.685813

Hornbuckle, L.M., W. McLean Cooke, A. Rauer, C.S. Barroso.  African American couples’ experiences during an exercise intervention interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative case study. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health. 19(7):4190, 2022.

Strohacker K., *L.P. Toth, *L. Sheridan, S.E. Crouter. Tracking of Walking and Running for Exercise: Alignment Between Ecological Momentary Assessment and Accelerometer-Based Estimates. Journal of the Measurement of Physical Behavior (2022) July 5;3:156-167. DOI: 10.1123/jmpb.2022-0016.

*Smith-Ricketts, J., *C.T. Beaumont, J.K. Fleming, L.M. Hornbuckle, K. Strohacker.  Exploring determinants of exercise-related affective valence in regular exercisers between the ages of 55 and 69 years. Journal of Aging & Physical Activity. 31(3), 440-452, 2023. 

Strohacker K., G. Sudeck, R. Keegan, *A.H. Ibrahim, *C.T. Beaumont. Contextualizing Flexible Nonlinear Periodization as a Person-Adaptive Behavioral Model for Exercise Maintenance. Health Psychology Review (2023) ePub ahead of print. DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2023.2233592

*Jones, C.S., C.S. Barroso, *L. Miossi, E.C. Fitzhugh, L.M. Hornbuckle.  Successful physical activity maintainers: strategies and characteristics of young African American women. Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal. (Epub Ahead of Print)

BOLD – Faculty in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport Studies.

* Current and former students in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport Studies.

Recent presentations from the Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory:

Strohacker, K. (invited speaker). Conceptualizing Readiness-to-Exercise to Guide Person-Adaptive Programming for Managing Exercise-Related Affective Responses. iReAct Workshop: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Physical Activity, Sports, and Health Research, Institute of Sport Science. Ebhard Karl Universitat Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany, March 2021

Strohacker, K. Modelling Readiness-To-Exercise: Nomothetic and Idiographic Perspectives. Symposium session presented at the International Society of Sport Psychology World Congress. Taipei, Taiwan; October 2021

Graduate Students

The Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory is always looking for graduate students who are intellectually curious, academically prepared, and passionate about promoting physical activity and exercise to benefit individual and community health. Specifically, the Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory concentrates on the use of exercise and behavioral health theories, culturally relevant approaches, technology, and the development of intervention strategies that integrate the knowledge of individuals, practitioners, and community experts. Our objective is to improve physical literacy, physiology systems, and psychosocial constructs most important to sustained increased physical activity participation for a diverse array of populations, including underrepresented groups.

Prospective graduate students may apply for a Master’s Degree or PhD in Kinesiology. Inquiries about open positions should be directed to Dr. Hornbuckle or Dr. Strohacker based upon alignment with the prospective student’s academic and research interests. Teaching and research assistantships may be available for well-qualified students and the graduate curriculum can be adjusted to fit the goals, needs, and future career direction of the student.

• Hornbuckle (physical activity and exercise in underrepresented groups; community-engaged research; culturally relevant intervention development)
• Strohacker (physical activity and exercise adherence; individual and general determinants of exercise effort and affective experience; person-adaptive and behaviorally-sensitive intervention development)

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students interested in research opportunities may join a research team to assist with ongoing projects in the Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory, as appropriate. Common activities for new undergraduate student researchers may include: (i) searching for and reviewing scientific literature; (ii) preparation of the research space or equipment; (iii) live observation of testing and/or community interactions; (iv) organization of forms and documents; (v) data entry. Those interested should reach out to respective faculty based on their specific interests (see above).

Students are required to commit at least one semester; however, longer commitments to the ongoing research in the laboratory are favored. Students who engage in more than one semester of research are also encouraged to present the research in which they become involved at both internal and external research exhibits and professional conferences.

From I-40:

• Take exit 386B, then turn left off the exit onto Kingston Pike/Cumberland Avenue heading east.
• At the 2^nd stop light, turn right onto Volunteer Boulevard.
• Follow Volunteer Boulevard for approximately 1 mile, then make a left onto Pat Summitt Street. (You will pass “The Rock” on your right.)
• The Exercise & Fitness Promotion Laboratory (located in the Health, Physical Education, & Recreation [HPER] Building) entrance will be on your left.

Your study contact will provide instructions on how to retrieve a parking pass and where to park your vehicle.

 Lost?

If you cannot reach your study contact directly, please call 865-974-3340 (Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport Studies)