Biography
Dr. Tassitano is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research program, built on 15 years of experience in physical activity epidemiology research, focuses on reducing disparities among low-income populations in Brazil. Ongoing projects include a mixed-methods approach to identify, test, and implement feasible and sustainable solutions that promote physical activity opportunities in structured settings, such as childcare and schools. Dr. Tassitano is a founding member of the Brazilian Society of Physical Activity and Health (SBAFS) and a member of the South American Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Network (SAPASEN). He also serves as a senior editor at the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.
Additional Campus Affiliations
Assistant Professor, Health and Kinesiology
External Links
Recent Publications
Bazan, C. N., Hallal, P. C., Hoopsick, R. A., Martenies, S., Schwingel, A., & Tassitano, R. M. (2026). Principles of Epidemiology: A Primer. (OPN Textbooks). Windsor & Downs Press. https://doi.org/10.21900/wd.32
da Silva, J. F., Germano-Soares, A. H., de Oliveira, T. V., Barbosa Silva, L. C., Barbosa Filho, V. C., de Aguiar Silva, T. C., & Tassitano, R. M. (2026). Research using smartwatches for the measurement of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep: A scoping review. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 214, Article 106370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2026.106370
Tassitano, R., de Lucena Martins, C. M., Bowden, T., Marinho Tenorio, M. C., Beets, M., Weaver, R. G., & Brazendale, K. (2026). Movement Behaviors on Days With and Without Structured Activities in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Within- and Between-Person Analysis. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 23(3), 378-385. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2025-0157
Bezerra, J., Lima, R. A., Cantieri, F. P., Tassitano, R. M., Júnior, J. C. D. F., de Barros, M. V. G., & Soares, F. C. (2025). Temporal trend of sedentary behavior in adolescents: A 10-year analysis. Ciencia e Saude Coletiva, 30, Article e16342023. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320242911.16342023
Martins, J., Varela, A. R., Costa, J., Onofre, M., Dudley, D., Cristão, R., Pratt, M., Hallal, P. C., & Tassitano, R. (2025). Worldwide Policy, Surveillance, and Research on Physical Education and School-Based Physical Activity: The Global Observatory for Physical Education (GoPE!) Conceptual Framework and Research Protocol. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 22(4), 444-456. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0170