The University of Massachusetts Amherst
Christine St Laurent

Christine St. Laurent

Assistant Professor of Kinesiology

Focus on physical activity and sleep/cognition

Location

Totman Building

30 Eastman Lane
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

Totman Room 6

My research explores the science of “sitting less, moving more, sleeping well” on physical, social-emotional, and cognitive health during the developmental years. Currently, my team does this through 1) observational studies to identify associations of time-use patterns and daily activity profiles on brain and physical health outcomes, 2) experimental studies to explore acute effects of altered time-use patterns or behaviors on cognitive and psycho-social measures, and 3) the design and implementation of behavior change and policy intervention studies delivered in school and childcare settings.

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • PhD in Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • MPH in Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • MS in Kinesiology, James Madison University
  • BS in Kinesiology, James Madison University

Key Publications

St. Laurent, C. W., Rasmussen, C. L., Holmes, J. F., Cremone-Caira, A., Kurdziel, L. B. F., Desrochers, P. C., & Spencer, R. M. C. (2023). Associations of activity, sedentary, and sleep behaviors with cognitive and social-emotional health in early childhood. Journal of Activity, Sedentary and Sleep Behaviors, 2(1).

St. Laurent, C. W., Andre, C., Holmes, J. F., Fields, N. D., & Spencer, R. M. C. (2022). Temporal relationships between device-derived sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep in early childhood. Sleep, 45(4), 1–11.

St Laurent, C. W., Lokhandwala, S., Allard, T., Ji, A., Riggins, T., & Spencer, R. M. C. (2022). Influence of naps on sedentary time and physical activity in early childhood. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 21198.

St Laurent, C. W., Rodheim, K., & Spencer, R. M. C. (2021). A systematic review of the relationships between physical activity and sleep in youth. Kinesiology Review, 11(2), 121–137.

St Laurent, C. W., Burkart, S., & Alhassan, S. (2019). Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Recess-Based Fitness Intervention in Elementary School Children. In International Journal of Exercise Science (Vol. 12, Issue 4).