Skip to main content
COVID-19 news and resources for the Kines community Learn more
  • Intranet

Utility

  • Apply
  • Directory
  • Donate
  • For Employers

Search

Home

Main navigation

  • Academics
  • Research
  • Admissions & Aid
  • Student Services
  • News & Events
  • Alumni & Giving
  • About
  • Apply
  • Directory
  • Donate
  • For Employers
  • Intranet
Directory
Directory hero image
Filter Faculty
Role
Program
Weiyun Chen
Back to directory

Weiyun Chen, PhD

  • Associate Professor, Applied Exercise Science
  • Director, Physical Activity & Health Laboratory

About

Dr. Weiyun Chen is associate professor of Applied Exercise Science and director of the Physical Activity and Health Laboratory at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology.

Dr. Chen’s research focuses on developing, implementing, and examining technology-enhanced physical activity interventions to promote mental health, cognition, and psychological well-being across the lifespan. Dr. Chen has received more than $1.25 million grant funding (i.e., US Department of Education). As PI on 21 funded research projects and Co-I on three funded projects, she and her research team examine (a) effects of school-based physical activity interventions, including innovative physical education curriculums and quality teaching practices, active recess programs, and family/community engagement, on improving students’ motor skill competency, physical fitness, physical activity behaviors, and determinants of PA behaviors; (b) effects of different types of physical activities on improving mental health and psychological well-being among college students; and (c) effects of technology-enhanced multilevel physical activity interventions on promoting functional fitness, cognitive functions, and psychological well-being in older adults living in retirement communities.

Dr. Chen has delivered over 100 research presentations at international and national conferences, presented more than 50 invited presentations speaking nationally and internationally, and conducted more than 50 teacher training workshops. She has authored one book (Multifacets of American Collegiate Athletic Competition), three book chapters, and published more than 80 peer-reviewed research articles, in journals such as BMC Geriatrics, BMC Public Health, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal of Affective Disorders, Journal of American College Health, and Journal of Sports and Health Science.

Dr. Chen is currently president-elect for ICSPAH. She served a three-year term as chair of AERA SIG and AAHPERD NASPE C & I Academy. She also chaired the AERA SIG Scholar Lecture Committee, AAHPERD Research Writing Award Committee, and AAHPERD Pedagogy Panel Review Committee. Dr. Chen served as associate editor for the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, and is currently associate editor for Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (since 2013), and academic editor for Medicine (since 2018).

Dr. Chen is a Fellow in SHAPE America, as well as a member of the U-M Momentum Center for Driving Discovery to End Child Obesity and the U-M Center for Human Growth and Development.


Dr. Chen is guest editor for Physical Activity Interventions: Effects on Physical Health, Cognition, and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults. Submissions for this issue will be accepted through August 15, 2023.


  • Download CV
  • Michigan Research Expert Profile

Areas of Interest

Innovative and technology-enhanced physical activity interventions; determinants of developing physically active habits; impact of physical activities on physical and psychosocial health and brain cognitions.

Contact

Address

SKB 4250

830 North University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048
United States

Phone

(734) 615-0376

Email

chenwy@umich.edu

Classes

Course Course Title Credits Term
AES 240 Prin Phys Act&Wellns 3 Fall, Winter
AES 313 Special Topics 1-4 As Arranged, Fall, Winter
AES 336 MethodsInstructExerc 3 As Arranged, Winter
AES 460 PhysActyIntervention 3 As Arranged
KINESLGY 429 Lab Mtr Cnt Dev 1 - 3 Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
KINESLGY 685 Res Rotation in Kin 3 - 6 Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
MOVESCI 240 Prin Phys Act&Wellns 3 Fall, Winter
MOVESCI 250 Statistics 3 Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
MOVESCI 429 Lab Mtr Cnt Dev 1 - 3 Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
MOVESCI 560 PhysActyIntervention 3 As Arranged, Fall

News

Treadmill desks don’t hinder thinking but can hamper memory
September 10, 2018
Study: Get moving to get happier
April 4, 2018
Healthiest college students keep weight down, spirits up
November 7, 2017
View all news stories
UM logo
School of Kinesiology
830 N. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048
CAA HEP logo CAATE logo AKA logo

Menu

  • Intranet
  • Contact Us
  • Job Postings

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Flickr

© 2023 The Regents of the University of Michigan

Site produced by Michigan Creative, a unit of the Office of the Vice President for Communications