IOHSK Announces the 2026 Dr. Thomas L. McKenzie Faculty Research Grant Recipients
Posted on April 19, 2026, 8:20 PM
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
The International Organization for Health, Sports, and Kinesiology (IOHSK) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Dr. Thomas L. McKenzie Faculty Research Grants. This prestigious grant program is funded by Dr. Thomas L. McKenzie, an internationally distinguished scholar and Lifetime Honorary President of IOHSK, in support of research and professional development among IOHSK members.
The Dr. Thomas L. McKenzie Faculty Research Grants are designed to advance scholarly inquiry and professional growth, with particular emphasis on studies that incorporate physical activity (PA) as a key research variable. Since 2020, more than 50 faculty members and graduate students have received research funding through this program, leading to meaningful scholarly publications, conference presentations, and continued professional advancement. Many previous recipients have also gone on to achieve significant milestones in their careers, including successful employment, admission to doctoral programs, and progress in retention, promotion, and tenure.
IOHSK is pleased to recognize this year’s Funded Project:
“Project BIO-ACTIVE: Body Composition, Physical Activity, and Psychological Well-Being Among University Students Toward Evidence-Based Wellness Interventions”
This collaborative research project is proposed by:
Dr. Ruben L. Tagare, Jr.* (University of Southern Mindanao, Philippines; IOHSK Fellow 15)
Dr. Hosung So (California State University, San Bernardino, USA; IOHSK Fellow 1)
Dr. Jomar B. Esto (University of Southern Mindanao, Philippines)
Assistant Professor Cheeze R. Janito (University of Southern Mindanao, Philippines)
Assistant Professor Vinus P. Java (University of Southern Mindanao, Philippines)
* Principal Investigator (PI)
This study addresses a timely and important issue in higher education. University students increasingly face physical and mental health challenges associated with sedentary lifestyles, academic stress, and poor dietary habits. Emerging research has shown that physical inactivity and unfavorable body composition may be linked to lower psychological well-being, including heightened stress, anxiety, and decreased life satisfaction. However, few studies have examined body composition, physical activity, and psychological well-being together within a single biopsychosocial framework that integrates biological, behavioral, and psychological dimensions.
The purpose of this project is to investigate the relationships among body composition, physical activity, and psychological well-being among university students from a biopsychosocial perspective. More specifically, the study will examine whether body composition mediates or moderates the relationship between physical activity and psychological well-being. The research team hypothesizes that physical activity will be positively associated with psychological well-being, that body composition will also be significantly related to psychological well-being, and that body composition will both mediate and moderate the relationship between physical activity and psychological well-being.
The study will use a cross-sectional quantitative research design and is expected to recruit approximately 200 to 300 full-time university students, ages 18 to 25, through a stratified random sampling method to ensure representation by gender, year level, and academic program. Body composition will be measured objectively through bioelectrical impedance analysis, physical activity will be assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and psychological well-being will be evaluated using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index.
This important project is expected to generate valuable evidence on how body composition and physical activity interact to influence psychological well-being among university students. The findings may help universities design and implement targeted, evidence-based wellness initiatives, including structured physical activity programs, body composition monitoring, and mental health promotion strategies. The project is also expected to result in a peer-reviewed journal article and a presentation at the 2027 IOHSK International Conference.
IOHSK congratulates the 2026 grant recipients and looks forward to the meaningful contributions this project will make to research, practice, and student wellness in higher education.
