Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Dietetics
College of Natural and Health Sciences
B.A. (1993) University of Washington
M.S. (1996) University of Oregon
Ed.D. (1999) University of Northern Colorado
1999-2001 – Post-Doctoral Research Fellow – Department of Psychology/International Center for Talent Development – University of California, Los Angeles
2001- present – Professor – University of Northern Colorado
2005-2009 - Adjuct Professor – University of Denver
2004 – Adjunct Professor – Colorado State University
1993-1994 – Director of Child Care (WeeWACs) – Washington Athletic Club – Seattle, WA
Motivation and social psychological correlates (emotion, self-perceptions) of youth sport and physical activity involvement, parent/family influences on, and experiences in, youth sport and physical activity, psychosocial and environmental aspects of school-based physical activity promotion.
Dinger, M.K., Brittain, D.R., Patten, L., Hall, K.C., Burton, S., Hydock, D.S., & Stellino, M.B. (2020). Gender identity and health-related outcomes in a national sample of college students. American Journal of Health Education, 51(6), 383-394.
Massey, W. V., Stellino, M. B., & Geldhof, J. (2020). An observational study of recess quality and physical activity in urban primary schools. BMC Public Health. 20:792.
Nicholls, B. N., Smith, M. A., & Babkes Stellino, M. (2020). Factors influencing college selection by NCAA Division III men's basketball players. Journal of Amateur Sport, 6(1), 32-51.
Massey, W. V., Stellino, M. B., Hayden, L., & Thalken, J. (2020). Examination of the responsiveness of the Great Recess Framework—Observational Tool. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1):225.
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, 4(4): 18.doi:
Davies, M. J., Babkes Stellino, M., & Gray, D.P. (2019). Basic psychological needs satisfaction and self-determined motivation among Canadian golf league members. Leisure/Loisir, 42(4), 1-28.
Babkes Stellino, M., Vazou, S., Koon, L. M., Hodgin, K. (2019). Social psychological and motivational theoretical frameworks for CSPAP implementation.In R. L. Carson, & C. A. Webster (Eds.), Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: Evidence-Based Research and Practice(pp. 67-86). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Dauenhauer, B., Babkes Stellino, M., & Webster, C. A., & Steinfurth, C. (2019). Before and after school physical activity program effectiveness.In R. L. Carson, & C. A. Webster (Eds.), Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: Evidence-Based Research and Practice(pp. 111-126). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Massey, M.V., Ku, B. & Stellino, M.B. (2018). Observations of playground play during elementary school recess. BMC Research Notes, 11(1), 755-
Massey, W.V., Stellino, M.B., & Fraser, M. (2018). Individual and environmental correlates of school-based recess engagement. Preventive Medicine Reports, 11, 247-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.07.005
Massey, W.V.,Stellino, M.B., Mullen, S.P., Claassen, J. & Wilkinson, M. (2018). Development of the great recess framework – observational tool to measure contextual and behavioral components of elementary school recess. BMC Public Health, 18:394.
Massey, W.V., Stellino, M.B., Claassen, J., Dykstra, S., & Henning, A. (2018). Evidence-based strategies for socially, emotionally, and physically beneficial school recess. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 89(5), 48-52.https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2018.1440266
Massey, W.V., Stellino, M.B., Wilkison, M., & Whitley, M.A. (2018). The impact of a recess-based leadership program on urban elementary school students. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 30, 45-63. doi:
Kroshus, E, Babkes Stellino M., Chrisman S. P. D., & Rivara F.P. (2017). Threat, pressure and communication about concussion safety: Implications for parent concussion education. Health Education & Behavior, 45(2):254-261.
Massey, W.V., Stellino, M.B, Holliday, M., Godbersen, T., Rodia, R., Kucher, G., & Wilkison, M. (2017). The impact of a multi-component physical activity program in low-income elementary schools. Health and Education Journal. doi: 10.1177/0017896917700681.
Sinclair, C., & Babkes Stellino, M. (2017). Pictorial playground-based physical activity assessment instrument: Uses and applications of the ADL-PP. JOPERD, 88(3), 16-21.
Dauenhauer, B., Krause, J., Douglas, S., Smith, M., & Babkes Stellino, M. (2017). JOPERD (Special Issue), 88(2), 14-19.
Parker, M., Morrison, J., Patton, K., Stellino, M.B., Hinchion, C., & Hall, K. (2016). ‘I Couldn’t Teach Without Technology’: A Teacher and Student Learning Journey. In Pedagogical Cases: Digital Technologies in Youth Physical Activity, Physical Education and Sport, A. Casey, V. Goodyear, and K. Armour (eds.), London: Routledge.
Davies, M. J., Coleman, L., & Babkes Stellino, M. (2016). The relationship between basic psychological need satisfaction, behavioral regulation, and participation in CrossFit. Journal of Sport Behavior, 39(3)
Davies, M. J., Babkes Stellino, M., Nichols, B., & Coleman, L. (2016). The relationship between other-initiated motivational climate and youth hockey players’ good and poor sport behaviors. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28(1), 78-96.
Babkes Stellino, M., & Sinclair, C.D. (2014). Examination of recess physical activity patterns using the activities for daily living-playground participation (ADL-PP) instrument. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 33(2), 282-296.
Erwin, H. E., Babkes Stellino, M., Beets, M. W., & Beighle, A. (2013). Physical education lesson content and teacher style and elementary students’ motivation and physical activity levels. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 32, 321-334.
Babkes Stellino, M., & Sinclair, C.D. (2013). Psychological predictors of children’s recess physical activity motivation and behavior. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 84(2), 167-176.
Babkes Stellino, M., & Sinclair, C.D. (2013). From atheoretical to motivation theory-based youth discretionary-time physical activity promotion: Current and future directions. Revista de Iberomaericana de Psicologia del Ejercicio y el Deporte, 6(2), 283-298.
Kirkland, R., Karlin, N., Stellino, M., & Pulos, S. (2011). Basic psychological needs satisfaction, motivation, and exercise in older adults. Activities, Adaptation, & Aging, 35(3), 181-196.
Babkes Stellino, M., Sinclair, C.D., Partridge, J.A., & McClary King, K. (2010). Differences in children’s recess physical activity: Recess activity of the week (RAW) intervention. Journal of School Health, 80(9), 436-444.