Research library

Welcome to the insight hub for we can move,

This is our storage space for research, reports, opinion and news for physical activity and the wider system which we've come across.

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benefit of physical activity (30)

Relationship Between Physical Activity and Overweight and Obesity in Children: Findings From the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey National Youth Fitness Survey

Physical activity lowered the risk of obesity. Children who were obese had functional limitations compared with healthy-weight children, but both groups enjoyed physical activity equally. Future studies are needed to determine barriers to participation among these children in recreation and sporting activities. Source: NCBI, October 2016

Return to play – a guide from MIND

This guide aims to equip the sport and physical activity sector with the tools and information required to support the mental health of staff, coaches, volunteers and participants as we ‘return to play’. This guide is aimed at organisations, clubs and groups that wish to provide the very best experience for their workforce and participants as lockdown restrictions are eased and sport and physical activity returns. It includes guidance, good practice, tools and insight to help the sector to

The information-motivation-behavioral skills model explains physical activity levels for adults with type 2 diabetes across all weight classes.

This study supports the application of the IMB Model in explaining physical activity behavior in adults with T2D. In particular, the contribution of motivation and self-efficacy as substantive and modifiable predictors of physical activity will facilitate the development of targeted and evidence-based interventions for individuals of all BMI classes. Source: NCBI April 2020

Helping older people stay active at home

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has adapted a simple set of exercises designed for older people to help prevent deconditioning whilst living in isolation. Developed by physiotherapy experts the exercises are designed to help older people stay strong, improve mental health and prevent falling.  Source: csp.org.uk/public-patient/keeping-active-and-healthy/staying-healthy-you-age/staying-strong-you-age/strength April 2020

Are car-free strategies the answer to the UK public health crisis?

The collaborative effort between the charity, local authority and an active partnership produced significant results. After incorporating WOW into children’s daily routines, figures showed 5,000 pupils and their families regularly switched to healthier and cleaner ways to travel, whilst walking rates rose from 47% to 61% in 18 months. Source: https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/63579/are-car-free-strategies-the-answer-to-the-uk-public-health-crisis- March 202

Older adults who walk, dance, swim, or garden tend to have less brain shrinkage.

"Our results add to the evidence that more physical activity is linked to larger brain volume in older people," Gu concluded. "It also builds on evidence that moving your body more often throughout one's life may protect against loss of brain volume." https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-athletes-way/202003/4-daily-habits-could-stop-your-brain-shrinking 6th March 2020

Squatting or kneeling better for health than sitting, scientists claim

Despite remaining in resting postures for long periods of time, the Hazda people did not show any signs of the health conditions associated with a sedentary lifestyle. The researchers said is because the Hazda squatting and kneeling uses more muscle movement than sitting on a chair. Source: http://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2020/03/12/news/squatting-or-kneeling-better-for-health-than-sitting-scientists-claim-1862901/ 12th March 2020

Social Prescribing: Physical activity is an investment, not a cost

The Scottish Government’s Health and Sport Committee, “Social Prescribing: Physical activity is an investment, not a cost”, is different is in that it seeks to better understand how incorporating physical activity and sport into social prescribing could particularly improve the health and wellbeing of people in Scotland. Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/18306232.must-emphasise-physical-benefits-sport/ 15th March 2020

Doctors should prescribe walking to improve mental health, says new report

More GPs should prescribe walking to improve mental health and long-term physical health conditions, says a new report published today (Friday 6 March) by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking.   Source: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/news-and-blog/press-media/doctors-should-prescribe-walking-to-improve-mental-health-says-new-report (March 2020)

A Children’s Commissioner’s report on the importance to children of play and physical activity

There is so much to be gained by enabling children to play and be active. It’s time for a joined- up approach to supporting children’s health and wellbeing and a recognition that only by working together will we deliver the changes necessary to protect the health of future generations. Source: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Play-final-report.pdf (August 2018)

Generation Inactive 2 - Nothing about us without us

“Generation Inactive 2: Nothing About Us, Without Us”, aims to go beyond the first edition by providing a framework for understanding the multi-faceted and interactive effects of personal, social and environmental factors that influence children’s physical activity behaviour. Source: https://www.ukactive.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Generation_Inactive-2_Nothing_About_Us_Without_Us.pdf (September 2018)

Cycling to work might just help you live longer, according to new study

This large cohort study supports an association between cycling to work and reduced ACM, but found no association for walking or public-transport use and imprecise cause-specific mortality patterns. Source: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/cycling-to-work-might-just-help-you-live-longer-according-to-new-study-449253 (February 2020)

DfT Cycle City Ambition Programme Interim Report - Extended Summary

Scheme-level surveys indicated that new CCA infrastructure resulted in an increase in physical activity for around half of existing and three-quarters of new cyclists. This was especially beneficial for the latter group, because they were less likely to report that they met physical activity guidelines. Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/851558/Cycle_City_Ambition_Programme_interim_report_extended_summary.pdf (June 2019)

Depressive symptoms and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour throughout adolescence: a prospective cohort study

Sedentary behaviour displaces light activity throughout adolescence, and is associated with a greater risk of depressive symptoms at 18 years of age. Increasing light activity and decreasing sedentary behaviour during adolescence could be an important target for public health interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of depression. Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30034-1/fulltext (February 2020)