It's no secret that play has a significant impact on child development, but Lauren Wagner, a first-year master's student pursuing her MS in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise and Sport Psychology, is taking a deeper look at how unstructured play impacts children’s physical limb imbalances and promotes mental resilience.
Advancing Sport Psychology Through Recess Research at TCU
Wagner’s thesis, titled “The Effects of the LiiNK Project Over an Academic Year on Limb Imbalances, Injuries, and Resilience in Fourth and Fifth-Grade Elementary School Children,” focuses on how play-based intervention can address muscular imbalances, reduce injuries, and foster resilience among young students.
Her research is focused on a growing concern in childhood health: limb imbalances and muscular strength deficits. These issues, which often stem from sedentary behaviors, can significantly increase a child’s risk of injury and impact youth mental health. In an age where screen time dominates and physical activity is often overlooked, Lauren's work couldn’t be more timely.
“By linking physical activity with resilience, the study could reinforce the importance of fostering mental toughness and coping skills through physical challenges,” Wagner said. “This could inform mental health strategies in schools and youth sports programs, emphasizing the value of active play in building emotional resilience.”
In her study, Lauren is exploring how the increased physical activity associated with longer recess periods might address these limb imbalances. Recess, after all, is not just a break from the classroom; it’s a vital time for children to engage in physical activity, which promotes bone and muscle development. Yet, as recess time continues to be reduced in many schools across the country, Lauren and her team are working to determine whether additional physical activity during recess could mitigate the growing concerns of childhood injuries. To investigate this, Lauren’s research utilizes a comprehensive set of tests designed to measure both physical performance and neuromuscular control.
The Movement Pattern Observation Tool (MPOT)
One of the most innovative aspects of Lauren’s research is the development of the Movement Pattern Observation Tool (MPOT). This tool is designed to study how children’s limbs move during recess activities, helping to identify patterns that may contribute to imbalances or injuries. By observing and recording these movements, Lauren hopes to uncover key insights into how early childhood physical activity can shape musculoskeletal health in the long term.
“The MPOT is helping us identify specific movement patterns that may contribute to injury risk,” Lauren explains. “For instance, if a child consistently favors one leg over the other while running or jumping, this could signal a muscular imbalance that may lead to an injury later on. With more recess time, we’re hoping to see improvements in these movement patterns, leading to better overall muscular development and fewer injuries.”
Lauren’s research has already started to generate interest within the academic community, particularly at TCU’s LiiNK Center—a hub for graduate research in sport psychology and kinesiology. The center has provided her with an invaluable opportunity to further study limb imbalances, not only through her current research but also as a springboard for future projects.
“This research is just the beginning,” Lauren says. “I’m excited to continue investigating how movement patterns and muscular imbalances impact children’s development and overall well-being. I hope to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on injury prevention, particularly in youth sports and physical activity.”
TCU Faculty Guiding the Next Generation
Wagner is not conducting this research alone. Dr. Deborah Rhea, director of the LiiNK Project, plays a pivotal role in overseeing the research. Dr. Rhea’s expertise in the benefits of play and physical activity for child development provides essential guidance for the study, ensuring that it aligns with LiiNK’s broader mission of improving both the physical and emotional health of children. Dr. Robyn Trocchio and Dr. Phil Esposito have also been involved in creating the study’s design and methodology.
With the help of Connor Judd-Lazenby, project manager and coordinator for the study, Wagner has been collecting data from local schools to assess the impact of the LiiNK intervention over the course of the academic year.
With insights gathered from this study, Wagner hopes to shed light on the important role play has in supporting all areas of childhood development. The outcomes of this study could have a lasting impact on how we approach children’s health and well-being in both educational and community settings.
A Future in Sport Psychology
Lauren’s interest in sport psychology was sparked by her own experiences growing up as an athlete. Having seen firsthand how mental toughness and physical training are intertwined, she is eager to help others develop the psychological tools they need to perform at their best.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the way our minds and bodies work together,” Lauren reflects. “As a sport psychologist, I want to help people develop the mental skills they need to perform under pressure, whether they’re competing in a sport, managing a crisis, or navigating the stress of everyday life.”
Lauren’s research is not just a pursuit of academic excellence—it’s also part of a broader vision for her career. After completing her master’s degree, Lauren plans to pursue a doctorate in sport psychology, with a goal of becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). Her future work will focus on helping athletes—particularly dancers, healthcare workers, and first responders—optimize their mental and physical performance, all while addressing the unique mental health challenges they face.
With her groundbreaking research at TCU, Lauren Wagner is already making a significant impact on the future of sport psychology and childhood health. And as she continues to study the intersections of physical activity, mental health, and injury prevention, she’s poised to change the way we think about wellness—one recess at a time.