Justin A. Haegele

Justin A. Haegele serves as the Colgate Darden Endowed Professor and Director of the Center for Movement, Health, & Disability within Old Dominion University's Darden College of Education & Professional Studies. Since joining ODU in 2015, he has published over 275 peer-reviewed articles focused on adapted physical activity for individuals with disabilities. His leadership extends to directing Project CAPER and co-directing the MAMC, two US Department of Education-funded training initiatives for doctoral scholars.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Adapted Physical Education, The Ohio State University (2015)
• M.S.Ed. in Physical Education, State University of New York College at Brockport (2009)
• B.S. in Physical Education, State University of New York College at Brockport (2007)

Dr. Haegele's research examines physical activity participation experiences of disabled individuals, with specialized focus on visual impairment, autism spectrum disorder, and inclusion dynamics. His work bridges theoretical frameworks like social cognitive theory with practical interventions in school-based physical education settings, emphasizing intersectionality of disability with gender and other identity factors.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on national dataset analysis (including NHANES and NSCH), with predominant focus on youth physical activity patterns, health outcomes, and participation barriers for individuals with visual impairments and autism. His methodological approach combines quantitative large-scale studies with qualitative phenomenological inquiries into lived experiences.

As immediate past-president of the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity and current editor-in-chief of Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (2023-2026), Dr. Haegele significantly influences the field's research agenda. His US Department of Education-funded projects train future scholars while addressing critical gaps in adapted physical activity service provision.

He directs the Center for Movement, Health, & Disability which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across ODU's health sciences and education units, developing community-based interventions that translate research into practice for improving disability inclusion in physical activity settings nationwide.