Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory

The Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory is equipped with a variety of active video games, activity monitors and equipment including:

• Active Video Game systems (4 Wii Switch, 4 Xbox One Kinect, 2 LeapTV); 9 smart TVs
• 1 VR Bike gaming station
• ActiGraph Leap accelerometers (n = 100), 
• ActiGraph Link accelerometers (n = 80),
• Actigraph CentrePoint® Insight Watch accelerometers
• 100 Digit Walker pedometer
• Fitbit Activity Trackers
• Actical activity monitor
• Portable Stadiometer, weight scales 
• Computer workstations and 1 printer/copier/fax
• Elliptical machine, treadmill, electronic bike
• Ironman Segmental Body Composition Monitor, 
• Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Monitor
• FITNESSGRAM testing kit  
• Skinfold calipers for body composition assessment 
• DV Camcorders and digital cameras
• Stopwatch
• Micro-cassette Transcriber
• ObserveWare Software
• Portable LCD Projectors

Lab activities include qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, intervention development and design, evaluation of intervention outcomes and processes, and data analysis. A number of software are housed in the laboratory and used for research, teaching and service. They are installed on a network of computers to facilitate data processing and analyses. The computers are installed with SPSS, SAS, HLM, and SEM for statistical analyses, as well as Mendeley software for the management of scientific references.

Laboratory Director: Zan Gao, PhD      

Co-Investigators at The University of Tennessee 

Co-investigator	Department	Phone/Email
Xiaopeng Zhao	Bioengineering
Jian Lu	Computer Science
Weizi Li	Computer Science
John Bell, MD	UTMC Cancer Institute
Christopher Brett, MD	UTMC Cancer Institute	cbrett@utmck.edu
Ashton J. Brooks, MD	UTMC Cancer Institute	AJBrooks@utmck.edu

Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory Partners 

Co-investigator	Institution	Email
Ping Xiang, PhD, Professor,	Texas A & M University	ping@hlkn.tamu.edu
David Stodden, PhD, Professor,	University of South Carolina	stodden@mailbox.sc.edu
Du Feng, PhD, Professor,	University of Nevada at Las Vegas	du.feng@ttu.edu
Senlin Chen, Ph.D., Professor	Louisiana State University
Ken Lodewyk, PhD, Professor	Brock University, Canada	klodewyk@brocku.ca
Anne Blaes, MD, Professor	School of Medicine, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities
Tao Zhang, PhD, Professor,	University of North Texas	Tao.Zhang@unt.edu
Lisa Chow, PhD, Professor	School of Medicine, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities
Denis Pasco, Ph.D., Professor	European University of Brittany
Rui Zhang, PhD, Professor	School of Medicine, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities	612-626-8654, zhan1386@umn.edu
Haitao Chu, PhD, Professor	Department of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities
Weihua Guan, PhD, Associate Professor	Department of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities
Julian Wolfson, PhD, Associate Professor	Department of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities
Erjia Cui, PhD, Assistant Professor	Department of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities
Hee Yun Lee, PhD, LCSW, Professor	School of Social Work, University of Alabama

Graduate Assistants

Research Assistant	Year	Employment
John Oginni	2022-present	Doctoral student
Jessh Mavoungou	2024-present	Doctoral student

Past graduates under Dr. Gao’s mentorship

Charles Huang	2009-2012	Professor at Wayland Baptist University, TX
You Fu	2009-2011	Associate professor at University of Nebraska – Kearney, NE
Jung Eun Lee	2013-2018	Associate professor at University of Minnesota at Duluth,, Duluth, MN
Zachary Pope	2014-2018	Assistant Professor, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
Nan Zeng	2015-2018	Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, US
Daniel McDonough	2017-2021	Postdoc, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MN
Wenxi Liu	2017-2021	Assistant professor at Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
Xiwen Su	2017-2019	Ph.D. student in Rehabilitation Science in Boston University
Suryeon Ryu	2020-2024	Postdoc researcher, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Wanjiang Zhou	2021-present	Ph.D. student in University of Minnesota

 

Jessh Mavoungou
Research Assistant & Lab Member

Group Photos

2024 Fall Gao Lab Group

2024 Fall Lab Meeting

PAEL members at 2024 ACSM Meeting

 

Postdoctoral Researcher Hosted

• Suryeon Ryu, Postdoc researcher, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Mohamed Hassan, Faculty, Helwan University, Egypt, 2021-present
• Sunyue Ye, Post-doc at Zhejiang University (now Associate Professor and Associate Dean at Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China), Hangzhou, China; 2017-2018

Visiting Scholars Hosted

• Meirong Huang, Professor at China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China; 2024-2025
• Sha Qu, Associate Professor at Beijing Sport University, Beijing China, 2024-2025
• Jin Li, Associate Professor at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, China; 2022-2023
• Hiroshi Kohno, Professor, Toyo University, Tokyo, Japan, 2022-2023
• Jianing Liu, Shanghai University of Sports, China, 2019-2020
• Kyota Takami, Professor, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan, 2019-2020
• Chunmei Zheng, Associate Professor at Shangdong University, Jinan, China; 2016-2017
• Ying Zhang, Associate Professor at Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China; 2015-2016
• Xianxiong Li, Professor at Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China; 2015-2016
• Xinhua Chen, Associate Professor at Nantong University, Nantong, China; 2014-2015
• Dachao Zhang, Professor at Henan University, Kaifeng, China; 2013-2014
• Zhoumin Liu, Associate Professor at Hunan Agriculture University, Changsha, China; 2013-2014
• Zuguo Tian, Professor at Hunan University, Jishou, China; 2012-2013

4.1. Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory

The Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory is located within HPER building in The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Campus. Within this laboratory is specialized equipment used to conduct empirical research within the area of physical activity epidemiology and intervention. Specifically, the laboratory is equipped to examine how implementation of novel technology, such as activity video games, VR, wearables, and smartphone applications, can aid in the improvement of physical activity participation and physical/psychosocial health outcomes among a diverse array of individuals within the general and clinical population. 

4.2. The Exergaming Lab at Anne Sullivan Elementary School

Gao established an exergaming lab in the fitness room of Anne Sullivan Elementary School at Minneapolis Pubic Schools in January, 2013. The exergaming lab has eight Wii exercise stations and one Xbox Kinect exercise station. In addition, exergaming activities such as Dance Dance Revolution have been incorporated into the physical education classes in the gym.

4.3. The Exergaming Lab at Loring Elementary School

Gao established an exergaming lab in the lunch room of Loring Elementary School at Minneapolis Pubic Schools in September, 2014. The exergaming lab has three Wii gaming stations and three Xbox Kinect gaming stations.  

4.4. The Exergaming Lab at Cooper Central Elementary School

Gao established an exergaming lab in the brain gym room of Cooper Central Elementary School in Lubbock, TX in September, 2011 with his colleagues at Texas Tech University. Specifically, there are six Wii exercise stations and six Xbox Kinect exercise stations in the gym. The school offers a 75-minute weekly physical education class. With the school administrators’ support, a 75-minute weekly exergaming program has been set up. The program is integrated into the schools’ overall curriculum as an educational tool titled “Brain Gym Program”. The school also hired a full-time teacher to implement the program 2-3 per week with federal money support for Title I schools.

4.5. The Exergaming Lab at Cooper North Elementary School

In 2010 this school initiated an exergaming program with six game stations including DDR and Wii Sports/Fit. A full-time teacher is hired to run the program twice a week. In January of 2011, Gao and colleagues offered six additional exergaming stations to this school. The exergaming program is well-received by both children and teachers thus far. 

5.1 Project Title: Impact of Active Video Games on Underserved Children’s Health.

Timeline: 2008-present
Funding source: NICHD, RWJF, American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; Texas Tech University, University of Minnesota, University of Utah, The University of Tennessee,
PI: Gao, Z.

5.2 Project Title: Mindful Movement for Physical Activity and Wellbeing in Older Adults. 2022-present

Timeline: 2014-present
Funding sources: The University of Tennessee, University of Minnesota
PI: Gao, Z.

5.3 Project Title: Effects of technology based physical activity programs on preschoolers’ health and cognitive function

Timeline: 2014-present
Funding sources: NHLBI, The University of Tennessee, University of Minnesota
PI: Gao, Z.

5.4 Project Title: Effects of e-Health (health wearables, exercise app, and social media) on Physical Activity and Health among Cancer Survivors

Timeline: 2023-present
Funding sources: The University of Tennessee, University of Minnesota
PI: Gao, Z.

5.5 Project Title: Effects of virtual reality exercise on young adults’ health outcomes

Timeline: 2016-present
Funding sources: The University of Tennessee, University of Minnesota
PI: Gao, Z.

5.6. Project Title: Effects of Exergaming on College Students’ Physiological and Psychosocial Outcomes

Timeline: 2015-present
PI: Gao, Z.

     
Players are playing active video games

ORCID
Google Scholar

NCBI

Graduate Students

The Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory is always looking for passionate, well-qualified graduate students interested in physical activity intervention via novel methodology as well as the examination of the behavioral aspects of physical activity. Specifically, the Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory concentrates on the use of technology, such as active video games, health wearable, VR, and smartphone applications, to enhance the physical activity of a diverse array of populations with the objective of improving the physiology systems and psychosocial constructs most important to increased physical activity participation. 

Prospective graduate students may apply for a Master’s Degree or PhD in Kinesiology. Inquiries about open positions are best directed to Dr. Zan Gao, the director of the Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory. Teaching and research assistantships are available for well-qualified students and the graduate curriculum can be adjusted to fit the goals, needs, and future career direction of the student.

Open Positions

PAEL GA positions

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students interested in completing research within the field of physical activity epidemiology are advised to contact Dr. Zan Gao for information regarding research opportunities within the Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory. The Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory requires undergraduate students to commit to at least one semester within the laboratory. However, longer commitments to the lab are favored.

Undergraduate students brought on as an assistant within the Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory will aid in ongoing research projects and are encouraged to develop their own research ideas. 

Once in Knoxville, follow signs or use your GPS to navigate to The University of Tennessee. The HPER Building, which stands for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Building, is situated on the university’s campus (1914 Andy Holt Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996). 

Depending on the time of day and the day of the week, parking on a university campus can be challenging. Look for university visitor parking lots or garages. It might be helpful to check the university’s website for parking information before you go. Some campuses also require parking passes, so you’ll want to be aware of any such requirements.

Walking to the Building:

Once you’ve parked, use a campus map (either a physical one you’ve picked up or a digital one on your phone) to navigate to the HPER Building. Room 202C is located in the east side of the building. There should be signs on campus to help guide you as well. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask a student or staff member for directions.

Using Mobile Map Applications:

Input “HPER Building, University of Tennessee, Knoxville” into apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps. These apps often have detailed maps of university campuses and can guide you right to the building.

Lost?

Call us at:

Phone: 865-974-7971

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
http://www.nih.gov

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
http://www.nhlbi.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
http://www.rwjf.org/

Active Living Research
http://www.activelivingresearch.org/

Institute of Medicine
http://www.iom.edu/

National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
http://www.ncppa.org/

President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
http://www.fitness.gov/

Safe Routes: National Center for Safe Routes to School
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/