Lack of physical activity is recognised as a global public health concern.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factor for death worldwide, with approximately 3.2 million people dying each year. Physical inactivity is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.

The main focus of our research is to develop, evaluate and implement interventions that encourage people to do more physical activity and less sedentary behaviour across the lifespan. In line with WHO recommendations our research is targeted at prevention and management of chronic disease.

Our research aims to:

• provide a better understanding of how and why physical activity improves health
• gain a better understanding of the amount, intensity, and type of physical activity needed for health benefits
• improve measurement to assess the scale of the problem of low physical activity
• understand the health effects of physical activity
• evaluate the effect of interventions to promote physical activity
• describe the scale of the problem of low physical activity in low-middle income countries, and to develop and evaluate solutions

We aim to embed mobile and web-based technologies within our physical activity interventions. We're interested in exploring the design and use of new technologies to assess physical activity.

Through our knowledge exchange activities, we work with partners in government, health policy and promotion, commercial and charitable organisations and education to ensure our work reaches the widest possible audience.