Aug. 05, 2025 | Ethan Simmons Today’s Department of Health and Kinesiology once hosted the nation’s foremost researchers of sport psychology. Nearly 50 years on, these pioneers reunited at Huff Hall for a weekend on campus. When Rainer Martens arrived at the University of Illinois in the summer of 1966, he stepped out of his […]
Category: College of Applied Health Sciences
New study reveals nitrous oxide misuse deaths are steeply increasing
July 31, 2025 | Ethan Simmons Misuse of nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” is on the rise nationally. Researchers warn that the U.S. may be at the “bottom of the hill” for this public health issue. An anesthetic most often used at the dentist or doctor’s office, nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” has been misused […]
Illinois researchers aim to develop more realistic hearing tests to improve clinical outcomes
July 14, 2025 | Adelyn Mui Imagine sitting in a busy café, struggling to follow a conversation as voices and background clatter blend together. For many people with hearing loss, this is a daily challenge—yet traditional hearing tests, conducted in silent rooms with isolated tones, fail to reflect these real-world difficulties. At the University of […]
Putting people first: Chez Veterans Center sees success with new student-centered model
July 09, 2025 | Adelyn Mui The Chez Veterans Center showed an increase in military-connected student engagement in the first year after implementing a comprehensive case management model. The number of unique students Chez served increased by 25.89%, meaning that the center had expanded its reach to more students while focusing on more targeted, individualized […]
AHS alum Hagel, 2004 basketball team chosen for USOPC HOF
May 06, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Paralympic multi-medalist Susan Hagel and the 2004 gold-medal-winning women’s wheelchair basketball team were among those selected for induction this summer into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. The USOPC announced on Tuesday its Class of 2025 that brings together eight individual Olympic and Paralympic athletes, two teams, […]
Ballot battles: The fight for green space funding in an age of misinformation
May 21, 2025 | Adelyn Mui Green spaces benefit people and the environment in many ways but not all voters see it that way Public green spaces—parks, forests and conservation areas—increase potential for varied recreational opportunities, improved mental and physical health and better environmental sustainability. However, funding these spaces remains a challenge. Department of Recreation, […]
2025 Sapora Symposium: Honoring a century of legacy at Huff Hall
May 22, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Themes of visionary leadership and George Huff were briefly overshadowed by Grimace The theme of the 2025 Sapora Symposium was visionary leadership, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Huff Hall and paying tribute to the legacy of George Huff. Only one thing could potentially overshadow that, and it is purple and […]
At 10 years, Chez Veterans Center honors its family and friends
May 19, 2025 | Ethan Simmons After long journeys to Urbana-Champaign, the Chez family joined each other at the campus center bearing their name, beaming with pride. Thirteen years ago, Ron Chez—a 1962 University of Illinois graduate and Army veteran turned investor and philanthropist—provided a lead gift to build the Chez Veterans Center. Since then, […]
From Mayo Clinic to Urbana-Champaign
May 22, 2025 | Anna Flanagan In addition to their professional experience, Gabrielle Dillon and Jack Senefeld share research interests When Gabrielle Dillon joined the Department of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Applied Health Sciences last fall, she was greeted by a familiar face. She and Jack Senefeld, who had joined HK in fall 2023, had briefly overlapped […]
Study shows smart home technology to be beneficial for aging in place
May 22, 2025 | Jonathan King Mobility disabilities, defined as a “serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs,” affect approximately 21 percent of adults 65 years of age and older Saul Morse believes his wife might not have survived a recent health episode without assistive technology. “Had it not been for our voice-activated digital home assistant, […]