Position: Lecturer
Department: Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science
Contact Address:
P.O. Box 43844-00100
Nairobi – Kenya
Telephone: +254-02-810901 Ext. 57284
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&authuser=1&user=axxsrIAAAAAJ

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2805-5997

View full CV

 Publications

 Referred Journals Publications

• Wachira, L. J., Arena, R., Sallis, J. F., Lambert, E. V., Ong'wen, O. M., Laddu, D. R., Onywera, V., Oyeyemi, A. L., & HL-PIVOT Network (2022). Why are COVID-19 effects less severe in Sub-Saharan Africa? Moving more and sitting less may be a primary reason.  Progress in cardiovascular diseases, S0033-0620(22)00041-X. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2022.04.012 
• Travis J. Saunders, Scott Rollo, Nicholas Kuzik, Iryna Demchenko, Stacey Bélanger, Kara Brisson-Boivin, Valerie Carson, Bruno G. G. da Costa, Melanie Davis, Susan Hornby, Wendy Yajun Huang, Barbi Law, Michelle Ponti, Chris Markham, Jo Salmon, Jennifer R. Tomasone, Antonius J. Van Rooij, Lucy-Joy Wachira, Katrien Wijndaele & Mark S. Tremblay (2022).  International school-related sedentary behaviour recommendations for children and youth . Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 19, 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01259-3 
• Nicholas Kuzik, Bruno G. G. da Costa, Yeongho Hwang, Simone J. J. M. Verswijveren, Scott Rollo, Mark S. Tremblay, Stacey Bélanger, Valerie Carson, Melanie Davis, Susan Hornby, Wendy Yajun Huang, Barbi Law, Jo Salmon, Jennifer R. Tomasone, Lucy-Joy Wachira, Katrien Wijndaele & Travis J. Saunders (2022). School-related sedentary behaviours and indicators of health and well-being among children and youth: a systematic review.  Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 19, 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01258-4 
• Muthomi, N., Wachira, L. J., & Ooko, W. S. (2022). Training and certification in first responder care among mountaineering practitioners in east Africa.  African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 12(2), 129-134. https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S2211419X22000088
• Wachira, L.-J., Muthomi, N., & Ooko, S. (2022). Standards of Practice, Risk Assessment, and Safety Concerns in Outdoor Adventure Programmes in the Afro-Alpine Mountains of East Africa.  African Journal of Emerging Issues, 4(3), 98 - 118. Retrieved from https://ajoeijournals.org/sys/index.php/ajoei/article/view/271 
• Darko, R. A., Mwangi, J., & Wachira, L. J. (2022). Student teachers’ pedagogical knowledge on the inclusion of students with disabilities in practical physical education lessons in Ghana. International Journal of Whole Schooling, 18(1), 51-73. http://www.wholeschooling.net/Journal_of_Whole_Schooling/articles/18-1%20Darko%20Mwangi%20&%20Wachira.pdf 
• Wachira L-J, Hayker SO, Larouche R, Oyeyemi AL, Prista A, Owino GE, et al. (2022) Physical activity and active transportation behaviour among rural, peri-urban and urban children in Kenya, Mozambique and Nigeria: The PAAT Study . PLoS ONE 17(1): e0262768. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262768 
• Nakabazzi B, Wachira L-JM, Oyeyemi AL, Ssenyonga R, Onywera VO (2021). Parental-perceived home and neighborhood environmental correlates of accelerometer-measured physical activity among school-going children in Uganda . PLOS Glob Public Health 1(12): e0000089. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000089 
• Regina Akuffo Darko, Jane Mwangi & Lucy Joy Wachira (2021). Inclusive Physical Education during the University Preparation Programme in Ghana: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice. African Journal of Teacher Education. Vol 10. Iss.1: 21-37 DOI:  https://doi.org/10.21083/ajote.v10i1.6455 
• Wachira, Lucy Joy; Muthomi, Helen Nkatha; and Ooko, Willy Shikuku (2021). Outdoor Adventure Practice in Kenya: Injuries, Illnesses, Non-Medical Concerns, and Evacuation Profiles on Mt. Kenya . Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments: Vol. 16: Iss. 1, Article 3. DOI: 10.7771/2327-2937.1137 https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/jhpee/vol16/iss1/3 
• Lucy-Joy Wachira, Stella Muthuri, Sophie Ochola, Vincent Onywera & Mark Tremblay (2021).  Association between dietary behaviours and weight status of school children: results from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) -Kenya . Child and Adolescent Obesity, 4:1, 1-22, https://doi.org/10.1080/2574254X.2020.1842014 
• Muthomi, N., Wachira, L. J., & Ooko, W. S. (2021). Knowledge in pre-hospital emergency and risk management among outdoor adventure practitioners in East Africa afro-alpine mountains. African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 11(1), 87-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2020.08.006 
• Kamau, J. W., Mwangi, P. W., & Wachira, L. J. (2020). Uptake of Pedometer-based Physical Activity: Success and Challenges of a Church based Physical Activity Promotion Programme among Overweight and Obese Adults in Kenya . In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support - Volume 1: icSPORTS, ISBN 978-989-758-481-7, pages 126-132. DOI: 10.5220/0010026001260132 SCETRESS Digital Library.  https://www.scitepress.org/PublicationsDetail.aspx?ID=sHvdnRtUcZg=&t=1
• Nakabazzi B., Wachira L-J. M., Oyeyemi A. L., Ssenyonga R., Onywera V. O., (2020) Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of accelerometer measured physical activity levels of school-going children in Kampala city, Uganda . PLoS ONE 15(7):e0235211. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal . pone.0235211
• Stella N. Wayong’o, Francis M. Mwangi, Lucy-Joy M. Wachira and Elijah G. Rintaugu (2019). Emergency Plans and Safety Regulations during Physical Education Lessons in Private Primary Schools in Kenya. The Russian Journal of Physical Education and Sport (Pedagogical-Psychological and Medico-Biological Problems of Physical Culture and Sports), Volume 14 No.1. ISSN 2070 -4798. DOI 10.14526/2070-4798-2019-14-1-102-112 https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/emergency-plans-and-safety-regulations-during-physical-education-lessons-in-private-primary-schools-in-kenya/viewer 
• Wachira L-JM, Muthuri S. K, Ochola S. A, Onywera V. O, Tremblay MS (2018). Screen-based sedentary behaviour and adiposity among school children: Results from InternationalStudy of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) - Kenya . PLOS ONE 13(6):e0199790. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199790 
• Ogana, S. O., Osero, J. O., & Wachira, L. J. (2017). Musculoskeletal pain and backpack usage among school children in Nairobi County, Kenya . East African Medical Journal, 94(6), 413-419. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/eamj/article/view/163443 
• Muthuri, S. K., Wachira, L. J. M., Onywera, V. O., & Tremblay, M. S. (2016). Associations between Parental Perceptions of the Neighbourhood Environment and Childhood Physical Activity: Results from ISCOLE-Kenya. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2016, 13, 333 -343 http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2014-0595  Human Kinetics,Inc.
• Onywera, V. O., Muthuri, S. K., Hayker, S., Wachira, L. J. M., Kyallo, F., Mang’eni, R. O., Bukhala, P., Mireri C. (2016) Results From Kenya’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2016, 13 (Suppl 2), S195 -S200 http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2016-0359  Human Kinetics, Inc.
• Muthuri, S. K., Wachira, L. J., Onywera, V. O., & Tremblay, M. S. (2015). Direct and self-reported measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviours by weight status in school-aged children : results from ISCOLE-Kenya. Annals of human biology, 42(3): 237–245. https://doi.org/10.3109/03014460.2014.932847 
• Wachira, L. J. M., Muthuri, S. K., Tremblay, M. S., &Onywera, V. O. (2014). Results from Kenya’s 2014 Report Card on the Physical Activity and Body Weights of Children and Youth.  Journal of Physical Activity and Health , 11(suppl 1), S69-S73.https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/11/s1/article-pS 69.xml
• Muthuri, S. K., Wachira, L. J. M., Onywera, V. O., & Tremblay, M. S. (2014). Correlates of objectively measured overweight/obesity and physical activity in Kenyan school children : results from ISCOLE-Kenya. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 436. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/14/436
• Muthuri, S. K., Francis, C. E., Wachira, L. J. M., LeBlanc, A. G., Sampson, M., Onywera, V. O., & Tremblay, M. S. (2014). Evidence of an overweight/obesity transition among school-aged children and youth in Sub-Saharan Africa : A systematic review. PloS one, 9(3), e92846. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24676350 
• Muthuri, S. K., Wachira, L. J. M., Leblanc, A. G., Francis, C. E., Sampson, M., Onywera, V. O., & Tremblay, M. S. (2014). Temporal trends and correlates of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and physical fitness among school-aged children in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review . International journal of environmental research and public health, 11(3), 3327-3359. http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph 
• Muthuri, S.K., Wachira, L-J.M., Onywera, V.O. & Tremblay, M.S. (2014). Comparative study of physical activity patterns among school children in Kenya and Canada: Results from the ISCOLE Project. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance , 20(2:2), 765-779. https://www.ajol.info//index.php/ajpherd/article/view/105597
• Goodwin, Y., Monyeki, M.A., Boit, M.K., De Ridder, J.H., Toriola, A.L., Mwangi, F.M. & Wachira, J. L. (2014). Association between energy availability and menstrual function in elite Kenyan runners. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance , 20(2:1), 291-307. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpherd/article/view/105491 
• Goodwin, Y., Monyeki, M.A., Boit, M.K., De Ridder, J.H., Toriola, A.L., Mwangi, F.M., Wachira, J. L. & Mwihaki, M.G. (2014). Profile of the female athlete triad in elite Kenyan endurance athletes and in non-athletes . African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 20(2:2),610-625. https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC155217 
• Wachira, L, Simiyu N, and Onywera, V (2009). Physical Activity Practices among Adults with Diabetes: A Clinical Survey on Management of Diabetes Mellitus at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. African Journal of Applied Human Sciences.Vol.1 No.1 pp 22-30

Books and Book Chapters
Books Chapters

• Theuri, G., & Wachira, L. (2022). Vitamin D3 Deficiency: The Missing Component in the Physical Activity and Lifelong Health of Children and Adolescents in Sub-Sahara Africa?. In (Ed.), Sport and Fitness in Children and Adolescents . ISBN: 978-1-80356-063-2 IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/82167 

• Lucy-Joy Wachira (2021). Lifestyle Transition towards Sedentary Behavior among Children and Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Review [Online First], IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.95840. Available from: https://mts.intechopen.com/books/sedentary-behaviour-a-contemporary-view/lifestyle-transition-towards-sedentary-behavior-among-children-and-youth-in-sub-saharan-africa-a-nar . Published: October 13th 2021, DOI:
  10.5772/intechopen.91074, ISBN: 978-1-83968-576-7. 

Editorship of a Book

• Lucy-Joy Wachira, - Academic Editor (2021-2022), Book Title: Sport and Fitness in
  Children and Adolescents . ISBN: 978-1-80356-063-2ht tps://mts.intechopen.com/welcome?books_hash=a1d9fa1b7c2d00151e7b72782f5998bf&editor_contacts=a80ac0e94&books_id=11310

 Book Publications

• E. Onyango, L.B Waiganjo, V. Okoth, L.J. Wachira, Y. Goodwin, V. Onywera (2022) (In Press). CBC Teacher Resource book for lower primary. Book Tile: Physical and Health Education Fundamental Movement Skills for Pre-primary to Grade 3 Instructors: a teacher’s guide and collection of activities for teaching fundamental movement skills. Moran (E.A) Publishers. ISBN: 978 9966634276
• Francis M. Mwangi, Nkatha Muthomi Lucy-Joy Wachira (2017). Ability in Disability. Nairobi. Queenex Publishers Ltd. ISBN: 978-9966-075-66-6.
• Lucy-Joy Wachira, Francis M. Mwangi, and Nkatha Muthomi (2016) The Trash Ball. Nairobi. Queenex Publishers Ltd. ISBN: 978-9966-075-16-1.
• Helen N. Muthomi, Lucy-Joy Wachira, and Francis M. Mwangi, (2015). David Gets Fit. Nairobi. Queenex Publishers Ltd. ISBN: 978-9966-075-13-0.

Published Reports

• Kenya Report Card, 2016. Onywera, V. O., Muthuri, S. K., Hayker, S., Wachira, L. J. M., Kyallo, F., Mang’eni, R. O., Bukhala, P., Mireri C. (2016) Kenya’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Healthy Active Kids Kenya (HAKK), 2016
• Kenya Report Card, 2014. Muthuri, S. K., Wachira, L. J. M., Onywera, V. O., & Tremblay, M. S. (2014). Kenya’s 2014 Report Card on the Physical Activity and Body Weight of Children and Youth. Healthy Active Kids Kenya (HAKK), 2014

Monograph

• Lucy Joy Wachira (2010). Use of Exercise Therapy in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: A Baseline
  Clinical Survey on Exercise and Diabetes Mellitus among Adult Diabetic Patients at Kenyatta National Hospital,
  Nairobi, Kenya. VDM Verlag Dr. Muller Berlin, Germany. ISBN: 978-3-639-30764-1

Refereed Learning Modules

• Developed Interactive Modules for the Digital School of Virtual and Open Learning:
• HES 100: First Aid and Safety Education
• HPE 102: Functional Human Anatomy
• HPE 200: Human physiology
• HPE 300: Outdoor Education & First Aid
• HPE 400: Tests, Measurement and Statistics in PE
• HPE 402: Exercise Physiology
• HPE 803: Physiology of Exercise
• HPE 806: Curriculum Development in Physical Education

SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS AT CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS

Presentations at Conferences

• Lucy-Joy Wachira, Nils Swindell, Gareth Stratton, Muhoro Munuhe, Vincent Onywera, Mikael Fogelholm, Sophie Ochola, Maijaliisa Erkkola, Noora Kanerva, George Owino (2021). Use of accelerometers to objectively measure physical activity of pre-adolescents and their parents in a community-based study in Nairobi, Kenya. ICDAM International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods (eICDAM (virtual 2021), held on February 8-12, 2021 by Wageningen University & Research Center, The Netherlands. 
• Lucy-Joy Wachira (2019). Physical Activity among Adolescents and their Parents in Low and Middle Income Surburbs in Nairobi presented at the Kenyatta University Bienniel Research and Innovation Conference: the Research Project Symposium held on 23 rd -25 th October, 2019 at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
• Wachira, L. J. M., Muthuri, S. K., Tremblay, M. S., & Onywera, V. O. (2017). Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, Diet and BMI Status of Kenyan Urban School Children: Results from ISCOLE-Kenya: Presented at the KENFIN-EDURA International Colloquium held on the 19th September 2017 at the, EE-house Walter-hall, Viikki campus, University of Helsinki, Finland
• Wachira, L. J. M., Muthuri, S. K., Tremblay, M. S., & Onywera, V. O. (2016). School related opportunities for physical activity: The physical activity transition and the global childhood obesity epidemic – Results from the ISCOLE presented at the 2 nd Physical Activity and Sports for Health and Development in Africa (PASHDA) International Conference held on the 21st to 23rd September, 2016 at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Wachira, L. J. M. -Invited Guest - International Faculty - Exercise is Medicine (2015) at the 16 th Biennial Conference of the South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) held on the 20 th to 22 nd October 2015 at the Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Wachira, L. J. M., Muthuri, S. K., Tremblay, M. S., & Onywera, V. O. (2014) Association between BMI and Percent Body Fat Status and Screen-Based Sedentary Activity of Kenyan Urban School Children: Results from ISCOLE-Kenya: Presented at the 2014 Global Summit on the Physical Activity of Children held from May 19-22, 2014 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, Canada
• Wachira, L. J. M., Muthuri, S. K., Tremblay, M. S., & Onywera, V. O. (2014) School Related Opportunities for Physical Activity in Kenyan Urban Schools: Presented at International Conference on Physical Activity and Sports for Health and Development in Africa held from March 25th to 29th, 2014 at the Pedagogic University of Maputo in Maputo, Mozambique
• Wachira, L. J. M., Muthuri, S. K., Tremblay, M. S., & Onywera, V. O. (2013) The International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) Kenya: Protocols, Experiences and Advice for African Countries: Presented at the Ghana Physical Education & Sport Think-tank & Exercise Medicine Ghana (GPEStt-EMG) International Conference held on 4th to 7th June 2013 at the Ghana College of Physicians & Surgeons, Ridge, Accra, Ghana
• Wachira, L. J. M., Njororai, S. W., & Onywera, V. O. (2011) Factors Affecting Participation in Physical Activity and Adherence to Exercise Programmes by Persons Living With Diabetes. Presented at the 9th Biennial Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance (AFAHPER-SD) International Conference held on 13th – 15th September 2011 at Colline Hotel Mukono: Kyambogo University, Uganda Co-authored
• Kamau, J.; Mwangi, P. and Wachira, L. (2020). Uptake of Pedometer-based Physical Activity: Success and Challenges of a Church based Physical Activity Promotion Programme among Overweight and Obese Adults in Kenya. 8th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support, held on November 05 - 06, 2020, Budapest, Hungary.
• Francis M. Mwangi, Mary Mwihaki, Lucy-Joy Wachira, Edna Thangu and Elijah G. Rintaugu (2016). Care and Management of Athletes Medical Issues among East African Universities: Presented at the 2016 Olympics Games scientific convention, International Convention on 9 Science, Education and Medicine in Sports (ICSEMIS 2016), held on 31st August - 4th September, 2016 in Santos SP, Brazil.
• Francis M. Mwangi, Mary Mwihaki, Lucy-Joy Wachira, Isaah Wabuyabo and Vincent Onywera (2016). Assessment of Fitness and Training among East African Universities Swimming Athletes: Presented at the 2016 Olympics Games scientific convention, the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sports (ICSEMIS 2016), held on 31st August - 4th September, 2016 in Santos SP, Brazil.
• Lang, J. J., Longmuir, P., LeBlanc A., Chaput, J. P., Lambert, E. V., Muthuri, S., Onywera, V., Wachira, L. J., and Tremblay, M. S. (2015). Correlates of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in Canadian, Kenyan, and South African children. In Proceedings of the 2015 CSEP General Meeting / Résumés de la 2015 Congrès annuelle de la SCPE Publication: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism 40(S1):S37. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0359
• Vincent O.Onywera, Lucy J. Wachira , Stella K. Muthuri and Mark S. Tremblay (2014). The ISCOLE study: Methods and preliminary results from Kenya. 25th Congress of the Nutrition Society of South Africa and the 13th Congress of the Association for Dietetics in South Africa held in Johannesburg on September 16-19, 2014.
• Tremblay MS, Boyer C, Muthuri SK, Wachira L-J, Onywera VO, Longmuir PE, Okinda F, Leduc G, Chaput J-P (2014) Comparison of child physical literacy scores between Canada and Kenya. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Annual Scientific Conference (St. John’s), Page 14 of 47 October, 2014.
• Stella K. Muthuri, Lucy-Joy M. Wachira, Vincent O. Onywera, Mark S. Tremblay (2014). Socioeconomic Differences in Objectively Measured Overweight/Obesity and Physical Activity in Kenyan School Children: Results from ISCOLE-Kenya. Presented at the Global Summit on the Physical Activity of Children, Toronto, Canada, Journal of Physical Activity and Health 2014; 11(Supp 1): S126- S198.
• Francis O. Odindo, Stella K. Muthuri, Lucy-Joy M. Wachira, Vincent O. Onywera, Mark S. Tremblay (2014). Assessment of Health Related Physical Fitness and Motor Skill Ability of 9-11 Year Old School Children in Nairobi County, Kenya. Poster presentation at the Global Summit on the Physical Activity of Children, Toronto, Canada, , Journal of Physical Activity and Health 2014; 11(Supp 1): S126-S198.
• Stella K. Muthuri, Lucy-Joy M. Wachira, Vincent O. Onywera, Mark S. Tremblay (2014). Overweight/Obesity Transitions over Time in Sub Saharan Africa’s School Children: Results from a Systematic Review. Abstract submitted to and presented at the PASHDA Conference, Maputo, Mozambique (March 2014).
• Stella K. Muthuri, Lucy-Joy M. Wachira, Mark S. Tremblay, Vincent O. Onywera (2014). Kenya’s 2014 Report Card on the Physical Activity and Body Weight of Children and Youth. Poster presentation at the Global Summit on the Physical Activity of Children, Toronto, Canada (May 2014).
• Vincent O.Onywera , Lucy J. Wachira , Stella K. Muthuri and Mark S. Tremblay (2013). The ISCOLE study: Methods and preliminary results from Kenya. A paper presented at the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) symposium during the IUNS Page 15 of 47 20th International Congress of Nutrition held in Granada, Spain on September 15-20, 2013.