معرفی
Dr. Iva Obrusnikova is a Full Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Delaware. She directs the Health Behavior Science program and the Health and Disability Laboratory. With a Ph.D. from Palacky University (Czech Republic) and a European Master’s from Catholic University (Belgium), her career includes a fellowship at the University of Virginia before joining UD in 2006. Her research focuses on technology-driven interventions to improve physical activity among individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), including pioneering work on the Exercise Self-efficacy scale for adults with IDD. She has authored/co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and led multiple grants totaling over $400,000.
Key roles include serving as NCPEID President and IFAPA Research Fellow. She teaches courses like HBNS 445 (Health, Physical Activity, and Disability) and HBNS 342 (Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity). Awards include the G. Lawrence Rarick Research Award and William A. Hillman Distinguished Service Award. Current projects include mHealth interventions for autistic adults supported by the Autism Intervention Research Network.
Her research emphasizes community engagement and participatory methods, addressing gaps in adapted physical activity. She collaborates with institutions like the YMCA of Delaware and has conducted studies on park accessibility, wearable technology compliance, and resistance training efficacy in IDD populations. Her work bridges clinical research, policy advocacy, and community health initiatives.
