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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research (185)

Get the message? A scoping review of physical activity messaging

PA messaging may play a valuable role improving population PA levels. However, it is a complex and multidimensional concept and greater understanding is still needed. We present a synthesis of the existing evidence, highlighting key areas where evidence has accumulated and where gaps lie, as well as recommendations for PA messaging to different population subgroups. Source: BMC journal, April 2020

Attending After-School Physical Activity Club 2 Days a Week Attenuated an Increase in Percentage Body Fat and a Decrease in Fitness Among Adolescent Girls at Risk for Obesity.

The intervention attenuated an increase in %BF and a decrease in CRF among girls at risk for obesity from baseline to postintervention. Offering the after-school PA club 2 d/wk may be adequate for achieving outcomes. Source: Sage Publications April 2020

Associations of types of green space across the life-course with blood pressure and body mass index.

Longitudinal study suggests that the perinatal period may be a critical time-period where living closer to green spaces may lower hypertension risk in adulthood, but not obesity. Analysis by type of green space suggested that parks may be more relevant than playgrounds, cemeteries or golf courses. Source: Science Direct March 2020

Active Lives 2018-19 data - PHE perspective

The national Diet, Obesity and Physical activity division at PHE have looked at the data and compared the data to the physical activity estimates that PHE publish. Source: Public Health England, April 2020

The impact of COVID-19 on young people & the youth sector

Some young people there are huge barriers to digital engagement. Youth organisations have been quick to adapt their services and have been at the forefront of supporting the wider emergency response, often redeploying their staff to distribute emergency care packages, support emergency services and transform their buildings into foodbanks. This report also shows an urgent need for emergency funding to be able to keep the doors open of their services in the long term. Source: UK Youth April 20

Public attitudes to charities and the coronavirus (COVID-19)

The public as a whole are extremely concerned about the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. When we asked them to choose their top concerns from a prompted list, fully 75% chose the outbreak as one of their most concerning issues. By comparison, in our most recent wave of the Charity Awareness Monitor, the most concerning issue was the quality of NHS services, chosen by 57% of people. Source nfpSynergy March 2020

Understanding people’s concerns about the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic

Source: https://acmedsci.ac.uk/file-download/99436893

April 2020

2020 Research by Academy of Medical Sciences and MQ.pdf

Two surveys were carried out in the UK to help inform the framing of priorities for mental health research in
relation to the COVID-19 pandemic (see the main paper Panel 1 Methodology and Introduction). One was
a survey by the research charity MQ: Transforming Mental Health and one by Ipsos MORI. The MQ survey
achieved a remarkable response rate and the analyses of both surveys w

'Listening research' - Key social media themes around COVID-19 relate to worries

Source: Active Gloucestershire research

March 2020

Trends surrounding Covid-19 Tillisons report 27.3.2020.pdf

Trends surrounding Covid-19

The list below is in order of the most dominant themes being discussed on social media about Coronavirus at present (26/03/20)


1 = most dominant
10 = least dominant

1. Fear of losing jobs and income (job security)
2. A family member becoming ill
3. Not seeing family or friends for a long period of time
4. Bills and payments security
5. Panic buying in stores - havi

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

Associations of the objective built environment along the route to school with children's modes of commuting: A multilevel modelling analysis (the SLIC study).

Our research shows how objectively measurable characteristics of the London built environment can be used to predict commuting behaviour for a representative sample of primary schoolchildren participating in the SLIC study. Proximity to school is the key characteristic associated with active commuting to school. Source: National Centre for Biotechnology Information April 2020