The Disability Research Laboratory at Mississippi State University is dedicated to advancing the scientific inquiry of physical activity, physical fitness, and health in people with disabilities, especially those with Down syndrome.
Our goal is to create, disseminate, and apply scientific knowledge for enhancing meaningful physical activity participation and improving health in individuals with disabilities. Our research is interdisciplinary, and members of our laboratory pursue research in five main areas:
1. Measurement of physical activity and sedentary behavior
2. Levels, patterns, and development of physical activity and sedentary behavior
3. Determinants of physical activity and sedentary behavior
4. Consequences of physical activity and sedentary behavior
5. Interventions for improving physical activity and health
This website includes information on our research team, collaborators, research projects, and publications.
Laboratory Director
Dr. Stamatis Agiovlasitis
Dr. Stamatis Agiovlasitis
- Professor
- Director, Disability Studies Research Laboratory
I am a Professor in Kinesiology at Mississippi State University and Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. I have served as President of the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity and as Associate Editor for the Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. My goal is to contribute through academic scholarship to a society where individuals experiencing disability are empowered to participate in meaningful physical activity opportunities and to achieve optimal health.
I have a long history of research that concentrates on physical activity, physical fitness, and health in people with intellectual disabilities, particularly those with Down syndrome. My research viewpoint is holistic—I am interested in movement patterns, physiological responses and adaptations, health behaviors, and health outcomes, as well as the design and delivery of programs for acquiring healthy behaviors. My research is therefore inter-disciplinary. And, although it focuses on individuals with Down syndrome, it has lessons and implications for all people living with intellectual or physical impairments.
What motivates me to pursue my scholarly activities is learning. If learning in this area of scholarship is what motivates you too and if you wanted to either collaborate with me or study under my mentoring, I would be happy to discuss possible opportunities with you.
Lab Members
Isabella is a first-year master’s student in Kinesiology, with a concentration in Disability Studies. She completed the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in Spring of 2025, also at Mississippi State. Isabella’s research focuses on the relationship between gait and energetics in individuals with Down syndrome. In the Disability Research Laboratory, she aims to generate evidence that can support accessible interventions and improve mobility, function, and quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome.
Maria is a Ph.D. candidate in Exercise Science. Originally from Pakistan, she earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Riphah International University in Lahore and completed a master’s in Exercise Science at Mississippi State in Spring 2024. Her research focuses on understanding and enhancing the behavioral aspects of physical activity, particularly motivation, among individuals with intellectual disabilities. At the Disability Research Lab, Maria is committed to designing accessible, feasible, and effective physical activity programs for people with disabilities. She is passionate about contributing to behavioral science and studying the psychological mechanisms that drive physical activity participation among people with disabilities.
Changhee Lee, Ph.D.
- Graduate Teaching Assistant
Changhee (Daniel) Lee is a Ph.D. student in Exercise Science. He holds a master’s degree in Kinesiology from Illinois State University and a Ph.D. in exercise psychology from Hanyang University, South Korea. He is pursuing a second doctoral degree with a focus on the psychological aspects of physical activity in individuals with intellectual disabilities. Changhee has extensive experience in developing and conducting programs for individuals with disabilities. At Mississippi State University, Changhee aims to acquire advanced research expertise in adapted physical activity interventions, and contribute to research on improving psychological well-being, social engagement, and behavioral outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Publications from our Lab
Agiovlasitis, S., Ballenger, B.K, Choi, P, Haider, M., Du, Q., & Motl, R.W. (2025). Accelerometer output and oxygen uptake in adults with Down syndrome: METs vs. percent VO2reserve. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 69(8), 693–702. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.13253
Ballenger, B.K., Brown, S.P., Fernhall, B., Motl, R.W., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2025). Cardiovascular disease risk factors and arterial health in adults with and without Down syndrome. Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, 14(1), 10-16. https://doi.org/10.31189/2165-6193-14.1.10
Ballenger, B.K., Haider, M., Brown, S.P., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2024). Analysis of sedentary behavior in adults with Down syndrome. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 37(1), e13176. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.13176
Schultz, E.E., Sergi, K., Twietmeyer, G., Oreskovic, N.M., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2023). Factors that influence physical activity in individuals with Down syndrome: Perspectives of Guardians and health professionals. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 40(4), 587-606. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2022-0103
Agiovlasitis, S., Ballenger, B.K, Schultz, E.E., Du, Q., & Motl, R.W. (2023). Calibration of hip-accelerometers for measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviours in adults with Down syndrome. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 67(2), 172-181. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jir.13002
Choi, P., Motl, R.W., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2023). Feasibility of social cognitive theory-based fall prevention intervention for people with intellectual disabilities living in group-home. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 67(2), 159-171. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jir.13001
Bertapelli, F., Johnson, M., Pitetti, K.H., Smith, M.C., Carlson, B., Curtis, J.S., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2022). Association between sleep quality and physical functioning in adults with Down syndrome: A brief report. Disability and Health Journal, 15(1) 101173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101173
Gosh, S., Choi, P., Brown, S.P., Motl, R.W., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2021). Levels and patterns of sedentary behavior in adults with intellectual disability. Disability and Health Journal, 14(3), 101059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.101059
Agiovlasitis, S., Jin, J., & Yun, J. (2021). Age-group differences in body mass index, weight, and height in adults with Down syndrome and adults with intellectual disability from the United States. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 38(1), 79-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2020-0004
Xu, J., Choi, P., Motl, R.W., & Agiovlasitis, S. (2020). Is physical activity associated with physical performance in adults with intellectual disability? Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 37(3), 289-303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2019-0128