Research

Our objective is to conduct and disseminate research that systematically investigates sport and physical activity settings to better understand the experiences and outcomes associated with its participants. We use quantitative and qualitative methodologies and an interdisciplinary lens to answer our questions. Our projects focus on youth sport and physical education contexts.

Current Projects

Supporting Youth Sport Athletes’ Concussion Recovery: The Parents’ Perspective

In collaboration with the St. Luke’s Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic and St. Luke’s Applied Research Drs. Lucas, Bolter, and Petranek examine the experiences and perspectives of parents who helped their teen navigate the recovery process amid returning back to their sport and team, returning to learn back into the classroom while working with school personnel, and learning how to make adjustments with friends and family at home.

Evaluating an 8th Grade Health Curriculum: Concussion Education

In collaboration with the St. Luke’s Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic and St. Luke’s Applied Research, Drs. Petranek and Lucas are working with the Boise School District to evaluate knowledge retention from a concussion education unit in 8th health — a required course for all students in the school district.

Influences of Sport Passion Development and its Influence on the Youth Sport Experience

Sport motivation largely influences the youth sport experience, and if we can understand how to develop motivation and passion in sport, we can increase the likelihood that youth stay engaged in sport, experience positive outcomes while in sport, and emphasize life-long sport participation, especially critical with increases in sedentary behaviors and obesity rates in the United States. Research in this focus looks to investigate the precursors and outcomes of athletes’ sport passion.

Resilience in Collegiate Student-athletes and the non-sport Collegiate Population

Every individual will encounter challenges during their life (although the severity of those might differ), and how well they respond to those stressors and bounce back from their failures will influence their future performances and overall well being. Better understanding how resilience develops can lead to creating programming that aids both student-athletes and non-athletes in performing in stressful situations or bouncing back from normal disappointments and failures.