Our research is focused on the development and testing of interventions that encourage people to participate in more physical activity and less sedentary behaviour across the lifespan.
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.
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. Here are some examples of our work:
- declining physical activity in children
- Strathclyde contributions to UK physical activity guidelines 2019
- new global guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in the under 5's media release
- The Conversation - why limits on screen time are needed for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers
- The Conversation - fidgeting may be good for your child's health
- active healthy kids report card Scotland 2018
- global physical activity/exercise for diabetes care
- lifestyle management of diabetes
- Strathclyde wins Scottish health award for collaborative work with NHS Lanarkshire 2018
- sedentary lifestyle and osteoporosis
Our research areas
Behaviour & behaviour change
Understanding why people participate in physical activity or sedentary behaviour is critical to the development of effective behaviour change interventions.
Health effects
Our research aims to provide a better understanding of how and why physical activity and sedentary behaviour improves health, and of the amount, intensity, and type of activity needed for health benefits.
Globalisation & non-commmunicable diseases
Our research aims to describe the scale of the problem of low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour within a worldwide context.
Measurement
Improved measurement is needed to assess the scale of the problem of low physical activity, to understand the health effects of physical activity and to evaluate the effect of interventions to more physical activity and less sedentary behaviour.
