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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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)

Change a region to change a nation Greater Manchester’s walking and cycling investment plan

The plan would see £1.5bn invested in the Bee Network, 1,800 miles of cycling and walking routes over the region. The goal is to create a model which could be replicated across the country. Source: https://theconversation.com/greater-manchesters-cycling-plan-is-a-radical-much-needed-approach-now-it-needs-funding-131419 (February 2020)

The Health of the Nation strategy for longevity: Longer life 'not a problem to be tackled but a goal to be pursued'

A new report, The Health of the Nation: A Strategy for Healthier Longer Lives, was published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Longevity. It found that women in the UK are living for 29 years in poor health and men for 23 years: an increase of 50% for women and 42% for men on previous estimates based on self-reported data. Source: https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/63446/longer-life-not-a-problem-to-be-tackled-but-a-goal-to-be-pursued-via-healthy

Getting lots of exercise tied to lower risk of kidney disease

During the study, about 11,000 people, or 5.6%, developed chronic kidney disease. Researchers followed most participants for four years or more. After adjusting for other kidney risk factors, the study team found that even people with low levels of physical activity were 7% less likely than those who were sedentary to develop kidney dysfunction. People with moderate physical activity levels had a 6% lower risk. Source: https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-kidneys-physical-activity/getting-l

Spatial Planning for Health An evidence resource for planning and designing healthier places

An ever-increasing body of research indicates that the environment in which we live is inextricably linked to our health across the life course. For example, the design of our neighbourhoods can influence physical activity levels, travel patterns, social connectivity, mental and physical health and wellbeing outcomes. However, it is important to recognise that the causal links between built environment and health are often complex, in that they are influenced by numerous, sometimes conflicting,

How men receive and utilise partner support when trying to change their diet and physical activity within a men’s weight management programme

Men’s and women’s accounts suggested variations in men’s need for, and utilisation of, partner support in order to make changes to dietary practices and physical activity. There were also differences in descriptions of women’s involvement in men’s behaviour changes. Typologies were developed categorising men as ‘resolute’, ‘reliant’/‘receptive’ and ‘non-responsive’ and women as ‘very involved’, ‘partially involved’ and ‘not involved’. Source: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/1

Copenhagen Consensus statement 2019: physical activity and ageing

From 19th to 22nd November 2018, 26 researchers representing nine countries and a variety of academic disciplines met in Snekkersten, Denmark, to reach evidence-based consensus about physical activity and older adults. It was recognised that the term ‘older adults’ represents a highly heterogeneous population. It encompasses those that remain highly active and healthy throughout the life-course with a high intrinsic capacity to the very old and frail with low intrinsic capacity. The consensus is

Gloucestershire Mental Health Needs Assessment 2017

The requirement for an adult mental health needs assessment was identified as a part of the development of a new local Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy and commissioning plans. The key objectives are to understand how the mental health needs of Gloucestershire residents aged 18 years and over, current and future prevalence of mental wellbeing and mental illness and service provision in Gloucestershire align with each other and to highlight inequalities emerging from the lack of or inadequate

Development and testing of a novel survey to assess Stakeholder-driven Community Diffusion of childhood obesity prevention efforts

The survey measures upstream stakeholder properties—social networks, knowledge, and engagement—with good test-retest reliability. Future research related to Stakeholder-driven Community Diffusion should focus on prospective change and survey validation for intervention effectiveness. Source: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5588-1 (May 2018)

The Water of Systems Change

Foundations involved in systems change can increase their odds for success by focusing on the least explicit but most powerful conditions for change, while also turning the lens on themselves. The Water of Systems Change aims to clarify what it means to shift these conditions. We offer the “inverted triangle” framework as an actionable model for funders and others interested in creating systems change, particularly those who are working to advance equity. Source: https://www.fsg.org/publication

Why I had to go on TV to lose weight

I’d heard Tom Kerridge was going to be filming a show in his home town of Gloucester and was looking for people to take part. The idea was that he and 11 locals would take on a challenge to regain control of their weight, and get fitter and healthier in the process. It’s improved all areas of my life and I’ve made new friends in the process. I know I can keep going and keep achieving. Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/before_after_weight-loss (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)

Investing in cycling pays off, but ministers are ignoring the evidence

This week the government announced £5bn over five years for cycling and buses, including 250 miles of cycle routes, which they say will be built to tough new design standards. Although Boris Johnson said on Tuesday in the Commons that just £350m of that would be for cycling, this appeared to be a mistake. The DfT says there will not be any clarification on how much money will go where until the spending review. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2020/feb/12/investing-in-c

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)