Prof. Dr. Greet Cardon has a master degree in Physical Education and in Physical Therapy, a PhD in Movement Sciences and co-leads the research group with Delfien Van Dyck. Her research focuses on understanding the determinants of physical activity, as well as identifying the most effective ways to promote physical activity in different age groups. She is/was involved in several European projects (e.g. ToyBox, DEDIPAC, Feel4Diabetes, Smartlife), a European training network on co-creation (Health Cascade) and leads the Interdisciplinary consortium "Ghent University Research on Aging Young (GRAY)" Prof Cardon is among the Highly cited researchers since 2020.
Delfien Van Dyck obtained a Master in Physical Education and Movement Sciences and a PhD in Physical Education and co-leads the research group. Her research focuses on the determinants of physical activity and sedentary behavior in (older) adults, with specific attention to the importance of activity-friendly environments (parks, neighborhoods and the use of Virtual Reality within them). Furthermore, she supervises the PhD research regarding theory-based interventions through eHealth and mHealth to promote an active lifestyle in adults and a PhD study regarding the use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to identify the dynamic determinants of physical activity and sedentary behavior in older adults. She is/was involved in two NIH projects: the IPEN Adult and IPEN Adolescent studies (PI: James F Sallis), and the eMOTION study (PI: Genevieve Dunton).
Prof.dr. Sebastien Chastin
Prof. Dr. Sebastien Chastin has a BSc in metrology, a Master in Rehabilitation Sciences and a PhD in Non-Linear Physics. He is a Professor at the Glasgow Caledonian University and is an unpaid visiting professor within the Physical Activity and Health research group at UGhent. His research focuses on human movement behaviour. Understanding why, when and how people decide to move or not, is crucial to promoting healthy movement behaviour. Research interests: 24 hour movement behavior across the life span; co-creation of physical activity intervention
Dr. Sofie Compernolle
Education: Master in Physical Education and Movement Sciences – PhD in Health Sciences Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon and Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck
Research project(s): The research of Sofie focuses on sedentary behavior in adults and older adults. During her PhD, Sofie examined the socio-ecological determinants of sedentary behavior in adults. Currently, she works as a postdoctoral researcher on the Stand Up, Stay Top project. The aim of this project is to develop and evaluate an eHealth intervention aimed at the reduction of sedentary behaviour in older adults. During this project, the realist methodology will be used. Research interests: Sedentary behaviour, older adults, e- & mHealth interventions, self-monitoring, user engagement, realist methodology
dr. Julie Latomme
Education: Master of Science in Experimental and Theoretical Psychology at Ghent University Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon & dr. Tim Van Langenhove
Research project(s): Between 2017-2021, Julie worked on her FWO funded research project "Run Daddy Run". Run Daddy Run is a lifestyle intervention that specifically focused on fathers and their children (6-8 years old), aiming to increase co-physical activity by means of interactive exercise sessions and an online (website) component. Additionally, the intervention aimed to increase the level of physical activity of both father and child, as well as limiting their amount of TV viewing, and other outcomes such as the quality of the father-child relationship and psychosocial well-being. The intervention was developed using co-creation: an approach in which the target group (fathers) were actively involved in the development process, in order to meet their meet needs and preferences. Given the positive effects of the intervention (i.e. increases in (co-)physical activity of both fathers and children en decreases in their sedentary behavior), this project is currently being implemented in wider Flanders by Gezinssport Vlaanderen.
Currently, Julie is working on a project that aims to develop, implement and evaluate a cognitively enriched lifestyle intervention for older adults with a mild cognitive impairment (MCI), together with their children. This intergenerational program will be developed in a co-creative way, actively involving the target group in the development process of the intervention in order to optimally meet their needs and preferences. The aim of this intervention is to improve MCI patients' physical, cognitive and psychosocial well-being, as well as that of their children.
Research interests: overweight and obesity in children, prevention, (intergenerational) interventions, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, cognition, executive functions, (older) adults, children, MCI patients
dr. Sanne Stegen
Education: Master in Physical Education and Movement Sciences; PhD in Health Sciences
Position: Sanne coordinates the interdisciplinary research consortium (IDC) GRAY (www.gray.be), which stands for Ghent University Research for Aging Young. The main objective is to promote societal valorization and interdisciplinary collaboration across faculty boundaries. GRAY joins forces to better understand and support healthy aging. In this way, the consortium brings together expertise on the biology of aging, health promotion, healthy behaviors (physical activity, nutrition, mental well-being and cognitive behavior), geriatrics, environments that encourage healthy aging and the use of adaptive technologies within the field of aging. Sanne is passionate about people, health and society. The position of 'knowledge broker' suits her down to the ground and she likes to be at the crossroads where knowledge institutions, government, industry and society come together.
Marga Decraene
Education: Master of Science in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences – Main Subject Audiology & Master of Science in Health Education and Health Promotion Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon and Prof. dr. Marieke De Craemer
Research project(s): Marga studies 24-hour movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep) in preschoolers with overweight. For her project, Marga co-created an intervention targeting parenting practices with parents of preschoolers with overweight. The aim of the intervention is to increase preschoolers with overweights´ compliance with the new WHO 24-hour movement behavior guidelines. In the following phase of her project, the effectiveness of the intervention will be tested. To analyze these 24-hour movement behaviors, Marga uses a Compositional Data Analysis approach. Research interests: Health promotion, Prevention, Intervention strategies and mechanism, Physical activity, Sedentary behavior, Sleep, Overweight, Preschoolers, 24-hour movement behavior, co-creation
Julie Delobelle
Education: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences – major Neurosciences, Master of Science in Health Promotion Supervisors: Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck, dr. Jelle Van Cauwenberg, Prof. dr. Evelien Carrette
Research project(s): Julie will investigate how physical activity (more specifically walking) can be increased in people with epilepsy, by optimizing the physical and social environment, without inducing anxiety and stress. First, qualitative walk-along interviews will be conducted to identify which physical and social environmental characteristics influence anxiety and stress, and therefore walking. Based on these results, a second observational study will use geo-based ecological momentary assessment (GEMA) to examine the time- and context-dependence of determinants of acute anxiety, perceived stress and walking during daily life. The results of these two studies will be used to evaluate the causal effects of specific environmental factors on anxiety, stress and attractiveness to walk, in a third, experimental study using virtual reality. Research interests: physical activity, health promotion, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), neuroscience, epilepsy, physical and social environment, virtual reality
Elien Lebuf
Education: Master in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Graduation Option: Musculoskeletal Therapies - Sports Physiotherapy Supervisors: Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck, dr. Jelle Van Cauwenberg and dr. Femke De Backere
Research project(s): During her PhD, Elien will focus on sedentary behavior in older adults. Why do older people sit so much? And do these reasons, also known as "determinants," change over time and in context? With an Ecologocial Momentary Assessment study, a study in which questionnaires are administered at multiple times per day, over an extended period of time, we are zooming in on these possible dynamic mechanisms. With this knowledge, we hope to better map the sitting behavior of the elderly population in order to optimize the development of health promotion interventions with a focus on sedentary behavior. Research interests: Health Promotion, Sedentary Behavior, Prevention, Chronic Conditions
Laura Maenhout
Education: Master of Educational Sciences, Main Subject Special Education, Disability Studies and Behavioral Disorders (Ghent University) Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon, Prof. dr. Geert Crombez & Prof. dr. Geert Van Hove
Research project(s): Laura is ivolved in the Move it, Move ID! project, funded by Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). The primary objective of this project is to promote physical activity among young people with (mild to moderate) intellectual disabilities. Through co-creation sessions with the target audience, Laura has developed an intervention that closely aligns with their needs. The intervention involves a combination of a buddy system and a supportive app. Its effectiveness was assessed using a single-case multiple baseline design.
Research interests: physical activity, health promotion, prevention, intervention, adolescents, young adults, intellectual disabilities, buddy, mHealth, single case design
Iris Maes
Education: Master of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences – Main Subject Audiology, Master of Health Education and Health Promotion Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon and Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck
Research project(s): The research project of Iris focuses on the determinants of physical activity in older adults (65+). In the first phase of her PhD, Iris will concentrate on capturing the dynamic nature of the psychosocial determinants of physical activity in older adults. This will be carried out by using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). EMA is a relatively novel monitoring strategy to assess behaviour and its determinants at the moment they occur in a natural setting. In a later phase, small experiments will be conducted, to examine for example the experiences of older adults with receiving notifications. Research interests: Health Promotion, Prevention, Interventions, Physical Activity, EMA
Pieter-Jan Marent
Education: Master of Science in Physical Education and Movement Sciences – Research in Biomedical Kinesiology Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon and Prof. dr. Jannique van Uffelen
Research project(s): Pieter-Jan's project focuses on elucidating the role of daily activities on cognitive ageing. More specifically, in a two-year follow-up study, he investigates how physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep are related to cognitive functioning in adults aged 55 and above. To this end, he uses objective measurement methods such as accelerometers, but also questionnaires to gain more insight into these behaviours. More information about his project can be found at www.pasoca.be Research interests: physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, cognition, older adults, active ageing
Flore De Vylder
Education: Master of Science Sports Nutrition – Bachelor Nutrition and Dietetics – Postgraduate FODMAPs at IBS Supervisors: Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck, Prof. dr. Greet Cardon, Prof. dr. Lien Goossens and dr. Julie Latomme
Research project(s): In her PhD, Flore investigates the individual and contextual determinants (e.g. emotions, environment, physical activity) of food cravings in adults. In the different phases of the research, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) will be used to determine these determinants. This technique consists of repeated measurements in the natural environment of the subject.
Research interests: Health promotion, Nutrition, Prevention, mHealth, Obesity, Food cravings
Evelien Iliano
Education: Master of Science in Physical Education and Movement Sciences – Physical Activity, Fitness and Health Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon and dr. Julie Latomme
Research Project(s): The project of Evelien focuses on the development and evaluation of an intergenerational movement program for grandparents and their grandchildren (6 to 10 years). This program will be developed using a co-creation approach, which means that all participants will be actively involved in its development. As a result, they will have a great influence on the process and outcome of the program and it will meet the needs and preferences of the target population. The aim of the project is on the one hand to develop an evidence-based program theory based on co-creation and on the other hand to investigate whether (co-)physical activity (primary outcome variable), cognitive functioning, psychosocial well-beingvand quality of the family realtionship and motor competence (secondary outcome variables) of both generations is improved by doing activities together. Evelien will work closely with Julie Latomme, who already has experience in developing an intervention for fathers and children.
Research interests: Movement Promotion, Physical Activity, Older adults, Children, Intergenerational, Co-creation
Pauline Hotterbeex
Education: Master in Clinical Psychology - specialization in Biological Psychology (VUB) Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon and Prof. dr. Jannique van Uffelen
Research project(s): Pauline's research is aimed at the prevention of cognitive decline in older adults. More specifically, she focuses on a cognitively enriched walking intervention “Take your brain for a walk” for older adults (65+), in which cognitive exercises are performed while walking to train the brain. This project explores the added value of combining physical activity with cognitive exercises on the cognitive functioning of older adults. Also the effects of the program on physical activity and psychosocial wellbeing are being explored. Older adults will be closely involved in the process of creating and fine tuning the program, in order to match it as much as possible with their needs and wishes. This project is a collaboration between Ghent University and KU Leuven. Research interests: Older Adults, Neurodegenerative Disorders, Healthy & Active Ageing, Cognitive Functioning, Prevention, Intervention, Health Psychology
Lea Delfmann
Education: Research Master in Psychology (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) – major in Clinical Psychology, minor in Brain and Cognition Supervisors: Prof. dr. Maïté Verloigne, Prof. dr. Benedicte Deforche, Prof. dr. Greet Cardon, Prof. dr. Simon Hunter (Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland)
Research Project: In her doctoral project, Lea aims to develop, implement, and evaluate a co-created school-based intervention to promote healthy sleep and mental wellbeing in adolescents. During this project, an existing intervention will be scaled to another location and another context. In the first phase (the co-creation process), the intervention will be scaled with a special focus on mental wellbeing related to COVID-19. In the second phase, an effect analysis and a process analysis will be conducted in order to empirically establish the effectiveness of the intervention. This project is a component of the European ITN project Health CASCADE ducted in order to empirically establish the effectiveness of the intervention. This project is a component of the European ITN project Health CASCADE.
Janneke de Boer
Education: Bachelor European Public Health (Maastricht University, The Netherlands), Bachelor Health Sciences (Maastricht University, The Netherlands), Master Social and Organisational Psychology (Utrecht University, The Netherlands) Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon, Prof. dr. Maïté Verloigne, Prof. dr. Benedicte Deforche and Asst. Prof. dr. Teatske Altenburg (Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands)
Research Project(s): Janneke’s PhD is part of the European ITN project Health CASCADE that focuses on evidence-based co-creation in public health. Her research aims to investigate the involvement of teachers within school-based interventions. Janneke will conduct a qualitative study in which teachers, who previously participated in school-based intervention studies using a co-creational approach, will be interviewed to explore how they experienced the intervention and what could have been done to improve it. Based on the results of this study a protocol will be developed. This protocol will contain information about how to successfully adopt a co-creational approach with teachers. Afterwards, a school-based intervention focusing on promoting health behaviour in adolescents will be developed, implemented and evaluated, using a co-creation approach with teachers. Research interests: co-creation, health promotion, healthy lifestyles, behaviour change, interpersonal relationships, group behaviour
Amber Van Puyvelde
Education: Master of Science in Health Promotion Supervisors: Prof. dr. Benedicte Deforche, Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck
Research project(s): Amber researches features of parks that may or may not motivate older adults aged 60 years or older to visit a park and be physically and socially active there. In the first phase of the PhD project, the current habits regarding park visitation and park-based activities among older adults will be explored. In addition, older adults will be asked about which specific park features they prefer. In the second phase of the project, specific plans for the renewal of the Meulestede-Noord park will be developed in close collaboration with older local residents. These plans for park renewal will then first be tested and evaluated in a virtual environment. Research interests: health promotion, prevention, healthy ageing, physical activity, elderly, environment
Fien De Block
Education: Master of Science in Movement and Sports Sciences — Physical Activity, Fitness and Health Supervisors: Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck, Prof. dr. Benedicte Deforche, Prof. dr. Geert Crombez and dr. Louise Poppe
Research Project(s): Fien is working on a project that will examine whether increased physical activity (PA) has a positive impact on daily cognitive functioning in older adults and whether this impact is mediated by improved sleep and mental well-being. In the first part of the project, PA, cognitive functioning, sleep and mental well-being will be registered daily by the elders. Next, they will participate in the MyDayPlan intervention for several weeks, during which they will be encouraged to be more physically active. They will keep registering PA, cognitive functioning, sleep and mental well-being, which will then demonstrate how these parameters influence each other. Research interests: health promotion, physical activity, older adults, sleep, mental well-being, cognitive function, m-health
Benjamin Beirens
Education: Master of Science in Physical Education and Movement Sciences - Sportmanagement (Ghent University) Supervisors: Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck, Prof. dr. Benedicte Deforche
Research: The project of Benjamin focuses on creating a safe and inviting environment for walking and cycling by means of virtual reality (3D). Firstly, the association of environmental perceptions with invitingness of the environment will be investigated. Thereby, it will also be examined how realistically the participants perceive the virtual reality environment. Finally, this research aims to create an ideal (cf. safe and inviting) environment based on feedback of the participants gathered through the thinking out loud method. Research interests: physical activity, virtual reality, physical environment, active transport
Laura Van de Velde
Education: Master of Science in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, Main subject Audiology - Master of Science in Health Promotion. Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon & dr. Sofie Compernolle
Research project: Laura's project focuses on sedentary behavior in older adults by using the realist methodology. In a first phase, the current evidence on interventions concerning sedentary behavior in this population will be compiled into a 'realist review'. This way, we want to gain a deeper understanding of how, why, and in which circumstances interventions aimed at the reduction of older adults’ sedentary behavior work. Based on the findings of this phase, it was decided to delve deeper into the automatic processes underlying sedentary behavior. By means of an event-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study, we try to map how the habit of sedentary behavior is established. The overall aim of this project is to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms, in relationship to the context, that influence older adults’ sedentary behavior and therefore contribute to the development of future interventions. Research interests: Sedentary Behavior, Older adults, mHealth, Health Promotion, Healthy & Active ageing, Behavioral Change, EMA
Kim Cnudde
Education: Master of Science in Movement and Sport Sciences (Ghent University), Main subject: Physical activity, fitness and health, Bachelor in Nutrition and Dietetics (HoGent) Supervisors: Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck, Prof. dr. Ernst Rietzschel, Prof. dr. Antje Hebestreit
Research project: Overweight and obesity are among the greatest public health challenges of this century. A key cause is a disrupted energy balance (energy intake > energy expenditure). Kim focuses her research on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, dietary behaviour and sleep, as these behaviours play a significant role in the energy balance. To measure this, validated activity trackers and a food diary are used. Additionally, consideration is given to time- and context-dependent determinants (e.g., social environment, emotions, stress, loneliness, …), as these factors can influence behaviours. The determinants are measured using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), a new method that can capture factors at the moment they occur in their natural environment. The study targets adults aged 55 to 75 because the prevalence of overweight and obesity is highest in this age group. The aim of this project is to gain insight into the relationships between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, dietary behaviour and sleep. This information is crucial to develop more effective, personalised health interventions to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity.
Research interests: Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, dietary behaviour/nutrition, sleep, older adults, healthy ageing, EMA, network analyses, overweight/obesity
Sherihane Bensemmane
Education: Master of Science in Neuroscience (Aix-Marseille University, France), Master's degree in Public Health (Université Libre Bruxelles - ULB, Belgium), Master's degree in Political Science (Université Libre Bruxelles - ULB, Belgium) Supervisors: Prof. dr. Greet Cardon, Prof. dr. Stefan Heytens
Research project: Physical activity (PA) reduces 19.5% of the attributable burden of chronic diseases (CDs), i.e. healthy life years lost due to morbidity and mortality. In addition, 29.5% of Belgians self-declared having at least one chronic disease. Moreover, almost 30% of the population above 15 years old is at health risk due to physical inactivity. Evidence shows physical activity on prescription (PAP) has a positive impact on PA level and metabolic health. General Practitioners (GPs) can use PAP as a prevention (primary and secondary) intervention. The first aim of the PhD project is to understand the current landscape of physical activity on prescription (PAP) in Belgian primary care. The second aim is to investigate how the role of general practitioners (GPs) in prescribing and promoting PA can be increased or improved by exploring patients' perspectives and discovering barriers and facilitators to PAP by GPs. The study is part of a project carried out within the Belgian Sentinel GP network (Primary Care Unit, Sciensano).
Research interests: Public health, Primary care, Physical activity, Health promotion, surveillance
Maria José Molina Cando
Education: Graduate in Chemistry and Pharmacy and Master in Biosciences with mention in Biodiscovery from the University of Cuenca, Ecuador. Supervisors: Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck, Prof. dr. Angélica Ochoa Aviles (University of Cuenca), Prof. dr. Benedicte Deforche.
Research project(s): María José's PhD is part of the VLIR-UOS project, which focuses on a multidisciplinary approach to designing active, safe, and inclusive parks in the Andean region of Ecuador. The project will examine the factors influencing residents' preferences for visiting parks in Cuenca, Ecuador, and how the built environment, including access to parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities, affects the physical activity levels of children and adolescents in an urban area of Cuenca. In the quantitative phase of the project, observational instruments will be employed to describe user activities and park attributes in 10 parks in Cuenca. Subsequently, adolescents will be invited to complete an online questionnaire to investigate their park visits. The questionnaire will gather information on the parks they have visited, the usual activities they engage in, and the frequency and duration of their visits to the parks over the last three months. Finally, based on this information and the qualitative component of the project, culturally relevant factors will be incorporated into a virtual reality model (VRM). This VRM aims to inform policymakers about the specific and relevant factors to consider when creating or renovating a park from the perspective of adolescents.
Research interests: health promotion, built environment, physical activity, children and adolescents.
Cristina Ochoa Aviles
Education: Graduate in Chemistry and Pharmacy, Master in Biosciences with a mention in Biodiscovery from the University of Cuenca, Ecuador and Master in Immunology from the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. Supervisors: Prof. dr. Delfien Van Dyck, Prof. dr. Benedicte Deforche, Prof. dr. Angélica Ochoa (University of Cuenca), Prof. dr. Hibbah Araba Osei-kwasi (Loughborough University).
Research project(s): Cristina's PhD is part of the VLIR-UOS project, which focuses on a multidisciplinary effort to create active, safe, and inclusive parks in the Andean region of Ecuador. The study will explore factors shaping residents' park preferences in Cuenca and how the urban environment, including park accessibility and recreational facilities, impacts physical activity and park visitation among children and adolescents. Cristina focuses on the project's qualitative component, which uses walk-along interviews, photovoice, and in-depth interviews with adolescents, parents, and non-governmental stakeholders to understand the factors influencing adolescents' park visitation and physical activity. In addition, work with stakeholders includes their perspectives on power dynamics and relationships to perform network analysis on the issue. Finally, the information on the project's quantitative and qualitative components will be incorporated into a virtual reality model (VRM) to inform policymakers about the specific and relevant factors to consider when creating or renovating a park from an adolescent's perspective.
Research interests: health promotion, physical activity, children and adolescents, immunology.
