Iva Obrusnikova
Dr. Iva Obrusnikova, Ph.D., is a distinguished Full Professor at the University of Delaware, where she directs the Health Behavior Science program and Health and Disability Laboratory within the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences. She received her Ph.D. in Kinesiology, specializing in Adapted Physical Activity, from Palacky University, Czech Republic, and completed a European Master’s Degree at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. Following her fellowship at the University of Virginia, she joined the University of Delaware faculty in 2006. Dr. Obrusnikova’s research intersects technology innovation and community health, focusing on developing scalable, evidence-based interventions that significantly improve physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors in individuals with an intellectual and developmental disability. Her pioneering contributions include the development of the Exercise Self-efficacy for Adults with Intellectual Disability scale, a critical tool that has been instrumental in her studies to measure and enhance self-efficacy in community-based physical activity settings. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with prestigious awards, such as the G. Lawrence Rarick Research Award and the William A. Hillman Distinguished Service Award from the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID), highlighting her impact on adapted physical activity and disability advocacy. Beyond her academic roles, Dr. Obrusnikova serves as President of the NCPEID and as a Research Fellow of the International Federation for Adapted Physical Activity. She is also an editorial board member of Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. Her extensive scholarly output, which includes numerous peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, addresses critical gaps in adapted physical activity research. Her work advances scientific understanding and significantly influences public health interventions, aiming to improve health and empower individuals with disabilities through research and innovation.
Education
- Ph.D. Palacky University, Czech Republic, 2004
- Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Virginia, 2002-2004
- M.Sc.(European Master's Degree in Adapted Physical Activity), Catholic University, Belgium, 2001
- M.Ed. Palacky University, 1998
Courses
- HBNS 445/645: Health, Physical Activity and Disability
- HBNS 342: Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity
- HBNS 403: Practicum in Adapted Physical Activity
- HBNS 263: Health Behavior Science Leadership Practicum
- HBNS 240: Fundamental Movement Skills
Firkin, C. J.*, Rechner. L.*, & Obrusnikova, I. (2024). Paving the way to active living for people with disabilities: Evaluating park and playground accessibility and usability in Delaware. Delaware Journal of Public Health, 10(1), 74-83. https://10.32481/djph.2024.03.09
Suminski, R. R., Leonard, T., Obrusnikova, I., & Kelly, K. (2024). The impact of health coaching on weight and physical activity in obese adults: A randomized control trial. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 18(2), 233-242. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276221114047
Firkin, C. J.*, Obrusnikova, I., & Suminski, R. R. (2023). Compliance with Using the Apple Watch for Physical Activity Assessment by Adults with an Intellectual Disability. Journal of Physical Activity Research, 8(1), 40-46. https://doi.org/10.12691/jpar-8-1-7
Obrusnikova, I., & Cavalier, A. R. (2023). Motor behavior and emotional and behavioral disorders. In P. Beach & A. Brian (Eds.), Disability and motor behavior: A research handbook (1st ed.). Lanham: Rowman-Littlefield.
Suminski, R. R., Obrusnikova, I., Kelly, K., Heagbetus, S. T., & Williams, M. (2022). Small business support is associated with the quantity, quality, and usage of youth physical activity opportunities in urban, low-income, African American neighborhoods. Journal of Urban Health, 99, 1104-1114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-022-00694-8
Obrusnikova, I., Firkin, C. J.*, Cavalier, A. R., & Suminski, R. R. (2022). Effects of resistance training interventions on muscular strength in adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(17), 4549-4562. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1910738
Suminski, R. R., Dominick, G. M., Wagner, N. J., & Obrusnikova, I. (2022). Direct observation of COVID-19 prevention behaviors and physical activity in public open spaces. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1335. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031335
Obrusnikova, I., Firkin, C. J.*, & Farquhar, W. B. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of aerobic exercise interventions on cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with intellectual disability. Disability and Health Journal, 15(1), 101185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101185
Obrusnikova, I., Cavalier, A. R., & Blair-McKinsey, A. E.* (2021). Certified personal trainers’ beliefs about providing personal training for adults with intellectual disability in a community fitness facility. Disability and Health Journal, 14(3), 101100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101100
Block, M. E., Haegele, J. A., Kelly, L. E., & Obrusnikova, I. (2021). Exploring future research in adapted physical education. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 92(3), 429-442. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2020.1741500
Obrusnikova, I., Cavalier, A. R., Suminski, R. R., Blair, A. E.*, Firkin, C. J.*, & Steinbrecher, A. M.* (2021). A resistance training intervention for adults with intellectual disability in the community: A pilot randomized clinical trial. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 38(4), 546-568. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2020-0218
Obrusnikova, I., Cavalier, A. R., Novak, H. M.*, Blair, A. E.*, & Suminski, R. R. (2021). Effects of a community-based familiarization intervention on independent performance of exercise tasks by adults with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 59(3), 239-255. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-59.3.239
Healy, S., Pacanowski, C., Kennedy, L., & Obrusnikova, I. (2021). “This cage that I’m stuck inside”: Autistic adults’ perceptions of weight management, body weight, and body image. Autism, 25(7), 1985-1998. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211006989
Healy, S., Obrusnikova, I., & Getchell, N. (2021). Fundamental motor skill interventions in children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of the literature including a methodological quality assessment. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 81(3), 101717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101717
Healy, S., Williams, E.*, Patterson, F., Lozano, A., Hanlon, A., & Obrusnikova, I. (2020). Rethinking daily movement behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorder: Meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 13(2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2020.006
Obrusnikova, I., Cavalier, A. R., Novak, H. M.*, & Blair, A. E.* (2020). The effect of systematic prompting on the acquisition of two muscle-strengthening exercises by adults with moderate disabilities. Journal of Behavioral Education, 29(3), 584-605. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-019-09328-7
Obrusnikova, I., Novak, H. M.*, & Cavalier, A. R. (2019). The effect of systematic prompting on the acquisition of five muscle-strengthening exercises by adults with mild intellectual disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 36, 447-471. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2018-0192
Obrusnikova, I., & Cavalier, A. R. (2018). An evaluation of videomodeling on fundamental motor skill performance of preschool children. Early Childhood Education Journal. 46, 287-299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-017-0861-y
Obrusnikova, I., & Cavalier, A. R. (2017). The effect of videomodeling on fundamental motor skill performance of middle school children with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. 29(5), 757-775. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-017-9554-0
Obrusnikova, I., & Schoo, M. (2017). The missing link: Inclusive physical education out of the international perspective from adapted physical education - Inklusiver Sportunterricht aus Sicht des Förderschwerpunktes körperliche und motorische Entwicklung – eine internationale Perspektive. Sonderpädagogische Förderung Heute, 3, 277–287.
Obrusnikova, I., & Rattigan, P. (2016). Using video-based modeling to promote acquisition of fundamental motor skills in diverse learners. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 87(4) 24-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2016.1141728
*Co-authored with students.
- Individuals with Lived Experience of Intellectual and Developmental Disability
- Adapted Physical Activity Assessment & Interventions
- Community-Engaged Participatory Research
- Self-Determination & Self-Efficacy
- Accessibility & Universal Design
- System of Supports
Lee, D. H., Obrusnikova, I. (Co-I), Suminski, R. R., & Bhat, A. (2023-2024). A Self-determination theory-guided mHealth intervention to improve uptake and sustainability of physical activity engagement and reduce sedentary behavior in autistic adults. Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health ($50,000).
Suminski, R. R., & Obrusnikova, I. (Co-PI). Neighborhoods On the Move (NOM). NSF Northeast i-Corp program ($3,000).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI), Cavalier, A. R., Suminski, R., & Glutting, J. (2020-2022). Developing exercise self-efficacy for adults with intellectual disability scale. Delaware CTR ACCEL Pilot Grant, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health ($80,000).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI), & Suminski, R. R. (2019-2021). Using eye-tracking to assess attentional bias for food and physical activity among adults with intellectual disabilities. The Center for Innovative Health Research ($5,000).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI) & Cavalier, A. R. (2018-2022). The effects of guided exercise on health and independence of adults with intellectual disability: Pilot study. Center for Innovative Health Research ($5,000).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI) & Cavalier, A. R. (2016-2019). Promoting physical health and independence of adults with intellectual disabilities. YMCA of Delaware ($22,500).
Jadach, J., Hancharick, T., Kelly, J., Obrusnikova, I. (Co-I), & Cope, R. (2015-2018). Endless Possibilities in the Community: Y for All. Longwood Foundation ($100,000).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI on the sub-award), Cavalier, A., Jadach, J., & Hancharick, T. (2015-2017). Inclusion of adults with intellectual disabilities in Delaware fitness programs. Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number U54-GM104941 (PI: Binder-Macleod) ($30,759).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI). (2014-2016). The design and evaluation of a mobile learning lab to facilitate motor skill acquisition by diverse learners. The Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning (CTAL) and Academic Technology Services (ATS) 2014 Transformation Grant ($30,000).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI). (2011-2012). The effects of therapy dog assisted exercise on physical activity of children with autism spectrum disorders. University of Delaware Research Foundation ($7,000).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI). (2010-2012). Effects of dog-assisted exercise on children with autism spectrum disorders. University of Delaware Research Foundation ($35,000).
Cavalier, A., & Obrusnikova, I. (Co-I). (2010-2012). The effects of animal-assisted interventions on the physical health and social behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorders. UNIDEL ($15,000).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI). (2010). Increasing physical activity levels in children with autism spectrum disorders. IM Able Foundation ($1,600).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI), & Dillon, S. R. (2008-2010). Development and initial validation of the inventory of problem situations for inclusive physical education. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Research Consortium Seed grant ($5,000).
Obrusnikova, I. (PI). (2008-2009). Development and initial validation of the inventory of problem situations for inclusive physical education. General University Grant ($6,000).
Riddle, I., Nourie, C., Obrusnikova, I. (Co-I), & Mineo, B. (2007-2008). Developing a training curriculum for exercise staff on best practices for working with people who have disabilities and a technical assistance plan for 1614 Fitness and Aerobics. Developmental Disabilities Council grant #0706 ($15,000).
- Director of Health Behavior Science and Health and Disability Lab
- President of the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities
- Fellow of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity
- Fellow of the SHAPE America Research Consortium
- Editorial Board Member of Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly
- Joint-Faculty member, Special Education, School of Education
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Connect
Tower at STAR: 100 Discovery Blvd, Newark, DE 19713 | Health Sciences Complex: 540 S. College Ave, Newark, DE 19713 chs-info@udel.edu Phone: 302-831-1060