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By 2050, there will be 2 billion people in the world aged 60 or over. Award-winning research has provided new evidence that maintaining health and mobility in this ageing population is related to easy and enjoyable access to outdoor environments. This is crucial for combatting social isolation and physical inactivity, the latter being the fourth greatest risk to global mortality. Described by [text removed for publication] the All-Party Group on Intergenerational Futures as "phenomenally exciting", the research has stimulated better planning for healthy environments, using a network of c.40 non-academic partners to influence policy within the Scottish, UK and Japanese governments and in the European parliament. It has been used in training for over 1,000 industry professionals, in campaigns by major charities and in guidance by the World Health Organization.
Since 2009, research has been undertaken into strategies, practice and provision for active-ageing, specifically examining the mental and physical health and well-being benefits of group activities on culturally diverse older people. The main impact of this research has been the establishment of twelve Movers and Shakers groups. This has benefited approximately 500 older people. There are plans to establish four more groups in Buckinghamshire, including a group for people with learning disabilities. Outside of the County, interest in adoption of the model has been expressed by Hillingdon Borough Council and by a housing group operating in Hertfordshire.
Trinity Laban's research into the effect of dance on health and wellbeing has generated interest and citation at UK Government level, enhanced the public consciousness of the benefits of dance and has had secondary impacts in terms of providing a model for other studies. It has enhanced the professional practice of dance artists and teachers beyond the academy. Participation in dance is now perceived as a viable method of enhancing physical and psychological health, in part due to Trinity Laban's research in this area. The impacts of this research relate primarily to public awareness and public health, particularly in relation to younger people.
Physical inactivity is strongly related to coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Research at the University of Cambridge has focused on the development and validation of methods for assessing physical activity in population studies and on the application of these methods to quantify the type and dose of physical activity that is important for different health outcomes. This research has contributed to development of public health guidelines. Research into the determinants of activity levels in different population groups and the evaluation of interventions aimed at individuals and the wider population has contributed to NICE guidance on different forms of interventions to increase physical activity.
This case study illustrates the development of novel research materials designed to improve quality of life and performance in different populations. Impact has been achieved through the use of research findings in professional practice, formulation of health-related policies and in the development of new indicators of health and well-being. RCSEP research has been used by international and national health-service organisations (e.g., European League Against Rheumatism, Evidence NHS), industrial establishments (e.g., ArtEZ Conservatoire, Netherlands; Royal Ballet), national governing bodies (British Heart Foundation), and professional bodies (e.g., Dance UK, International Association of Dance Medicine & Science).
Research conducted at the University of Bath has influenced policy and practice regarding the promotion of physical activity and wellbeing in youth. Canadian and UK governments have revised their physical activity guidelines and recommendations for children and adolescents based on research co-produced by staff from Bath. In Canada, these revised physical activity guidelines have been used by the not-for-profit organisation ParticipACTION as the basis for multi-million dollar multimedia advertising campaign which generated more than 100 million earned media impressions. These revised guidelines are also being used in the measurement and monitoring of national trends in physical activity in large national surveys in Canada. In the UK, revised physical activity guidelines have been directly distributed to key stakeholders and more broadly disseminated to the public via NHS Choices and national charities (e.g., British Heart Foundation). Our research contributed to the Be-the-Best-You-Can-Be London 2012 initiative that is now embedded within the National Curriculum and has already been delivered to over 115,000 pupils across the UK in the first two years of the programme alone. The International Olympic Committee used our research on physical activity requirements in youth when addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations to inform a resolution on the global prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Research undertaken at Keele has made the social exclusion of older people visible to opinion- leaders and policy makers, helping to shape their perceptions of ageing. These changes in attitude have contributed to transforming provision for older people and promoting inter-generational interaction within local communities through both policy and practice, in both national and local government. The research has had a direct impact on national government policies, and has also coalesced into national campaigns to improve older people's lives. Regional impacts initially focussed on making Manchester an `age-friendly city' which has subsequently been used as a model for other local councils across the country.
Brunel's research identified the ways in which electrically powered indoor/outdoor chair (EPIOC) use improves the quality of life (QoL) of people with disabilities; key findings have been used to inform public policy, enhance professional standards and international evidenced based guidelines for professional practice and improve the health and social welfare through the empowerment of disabled person's organisations. The impacts are based on the newly gained recognition, based on the research findings, that young people need an EPIOC to provide opportunities for social inclusion, positive risk taking behaviours, successful transition into the work environment and to enable general healthy development and capacity for independent living. Older people need EPIOCs to reduce the physical and emotional stress on elderly carers. The impacts have ensured more effective policies are developed, professional practice is enhanced and more appropriate assessment and prescription services are provided for these service users.
To facilitate physical and emotional recovery after a stroke, knee replacement, and falls we created assistive rehabilitation technology that enabled patients to evaluate their own rehabilitation progress. This technology is delivered wherever the person is (e.g. home or community settings) so that the optimum care can be delivered. 6 doctors, 15 physiotherapists and 80 patients in the Greater Glasgow area confirmed the benefits for enhancing recovery of patients. Similar technology inspired the development of three children's physical activity games in collaboration with a commercial company Numiko, the games were used by the BBC on its CBeebies children's website.
Research undertaken at the Centre for Physical Activity and Health Research within the Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute has directly contributed to changes in public policy surrounding the health benefits of exercise and has informed the development of international and national physical activity guidelines.