Lyndsie M. Koon, Ph.D.
- Assistant Research Professor, Principal Investigator
Contact Info
1000 Sunnyside Ave
Lawrence, KS 66045
Biography —
Lyndsie Koon is an Assistant Research Professor in the Life Span Institute at the University of Kansas and Associate Director of the Research and Training Center on Independent Living. She holds a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado and completed postdoctoral training in the Human Factors and Aging Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on physical activity and disability, aging with long-term disability, and the development, evaluation, and implementation of community-based health interventions for adults with disabilities. A major focus of her current work is adapted Functional Fitness for adults with mobility disabilities, including research examining physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes, factors that support long-term exercise participation, and the determinant of implementation and sustainability in community-based settings. Her broader work also examines everyday challenges associated with aging with disability, community participation and independent living, and the use of technology to support health and activity. Koon has extensive experience leading qualitative, mixed-methods, and multi-site intervention research and working in partnership with community organizations to translate research into practice. She is a certified CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and Adaptive and Inclusive Trainer through the Adaptive Training Academy, bringing both scientific and applied experience to the development of inclusive exercise programming.
Exercise Resources Compiled by Dr. Koon (Video)
Making exercise accessible leads to huge gains (Video)
Education
Ph.D., Sport and Exercise Science, University of Northern Colorado, 2017
M.S., Sport and Exercise Science, University of Memphis, 2007
B.S., Sport and Exercise Science, Arkansas State University, 2005
Selected Publications —
For a full list of peer-reviewed publications, please see ORCID profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4362-1398
Koon, L. M., Donnelly, J. E., Sosnoff, J. J., Tabatabaei, A., Sherman, J. R., Rice, A. M., Means, M., Handlery, R., & Handlery, K. (2026). High-Intensity Functional Training for Older Adults with Mobility Disabilities: A Feasibility Pilot Study. Healthcare, 14(3), 349. doi: 10.3390/healthcare14030349
Koon, L.M., Donnelly, J.E., Washburn, R. et al. Feasibility and preliminary functional, physical, and psychosocial effects of high-intensity functional training for adults with mobility disabilities. Pilot Feasibility Studies 11, 152 (2025). doi: 10.1186/s40814-025-01725-2
Koon, L. M., Donnelly, J. E., Sherman, J. R., Rice, A. M., Clina, J. G., Thyfault, J., Handlery, R., Handlery, K., & Crawford, D. A. (2025). Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of Community-Based High-Intensity Functional Training for Adults with Mobility Disabilities and Overweight/Obesity: A Pilot Study. Sports, 13(10), 361. doi: 10.3390/sports13100361
Koon, L. M., Remillard, E. T., & Rogers, W. A. (2025). Understanding everyday challenges of aging with disability through lived experiences. The Gerontologist, 65(7), gnaf129. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaf129
Froehlich-Grobe, K., Koon, L., Ochoa, C., & Hall, J. P. (2024). Piloting the Effectiveness of the Workout on Wheels Internet Intervention (WOWii) Program among Individuals with Mobility Disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 101636. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101636
Koon, L. M., Hall, J. P., Arnold, K. A., Donnelly, J. E., & Heinrich, K. M. (2023). High-Intensity Functional Training: Perceived Functional and Psychosocial Health-Related Outcomes from Current Participants with Mobility-Related Disabilities. Sports, 11(6), 116. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11060116
Greiman, L., Koon, L., Schulz, J. A., & Nary, D. (2021). A usable home: A qualitative investigation of the relationship between home usability and community participation for people with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 101211. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101211
Koon, L. M., Remillard, E. T., Mitzner, T. L., & Rogers, W. A. (2020). Aging Concerns, Challenges, and Everyday Solution Strategies (ACCESS) for Adults Aging with a Long-Term Mobility Disability. Disability and Health Journal, 100936.
Koon, L.M., Brustad, R.J., & Babkes Stellino, M. (2019). Social Engagement and Task Complexity: Physical Activity Characteristics and Executive Function among Older Adults. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine. Special Issue: Research of Exercise and Cognitive Function.
Koon, L.M., Brustad, R.J., & Babkes Stellino, M. (2017). A Taxonomy to Aid in the Design of Complex Physical Activities for Older Adults. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting.