The Group’s research into physical activity has focused upon (i) the development of the evidence base on the promotion of physical activity, and (ii) understanding the relationship between the environment and physical activity.  In particular the Group has produced a series of high quality systematic reviews of research relevant to interventions aimed at promoting physical activity.  The Group has also collaborated in research into understanding the relationship between the environment and physical activity.  It has specialised in reviewing the nature of the relationship between environmental factors and different types of physical activities for different population groups including children, and also developing environmental exposure measures that can be used in future studies of the relationship between the environment and physical activity.

Over the next five years the Physical Activity Programme will continue to focus upon the development of the evidence base for population-based approaches to the prevention of CVD, researching into (i) the environmental determinants of health-related behaviour (including the development of novel methods for the measurement of environmental and behavioural variables), and (ii) modelling and evaluating the impacts of population-based approaches to the promotion of healthier behaviour. 

• Systematic review (Cochrane) of interventions for physical activity

• Systematic review (Cochrane) of incentives to increase physical activity
  

• Systematic review (Cochrane) of the built environment and physical activity interventions
  

• Meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on health outcomes after adjustment for obesity

• An economic evaluation of physical inactivity in Scotland

• Youth involvement for physical activity in supportive urban environments (WHO-Europe)

• Is the built environment associated with physical activity? A feasibility study for the Four Hundred Area Study (FAST)

• What is the range and evidence of effectiveness of different recruitment strategies to encourage adults and children to participate in research and practice led walking promotion projects?

People

• Dr Charlie Foster (Programme Leader)

• Dr Aiden Doherty (Marie Curie Research Fellow)
  

• Paul Kelly (Researcher / DPhil student)

• Justin Richards (DPhil student)

• Nick Cavill (Research Associate)
  

• Nicola Pearce Smith (Research Associate)

• Dushy Clarke (Research Associate)