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This case study summarises impact consequent to empirical research related to the concept of "Sporting Playgrounds" from the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (RISES). The "Sporting Playgrounds" project addressed the global problem of falling levels of childhood physical activity through the introduction and assessment of innovative markings and physical structures to the school playground. Research outcomes have changed National and International school playground planning and design as well as altering educational policy. Associated health economics analysis has demonstrated the cost effectiveness of these interventions. The project has also developed novel approaches to the overall practice of assessing children's physical activity levels which have informed continuing efforts to monitor and improve children's physical activity within educational settings.
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.
High global and national prevalence levels of child obesity and physical inactivity carry a substantially increased health risk. Exposure to this risk is exacerbated in north-west England where health inequalities are large. Consequently, the prevention of physical inactivity and associated conditions such as obesity are vital at the local level. This case study summarises the impact of research within the Research Institute for Sports and Exercise Sciences (RISES) that has focused on children's physical activity and health promotion in educational settings in the North West of England. This research has been utilised by the Local Authorities that have partnered with RISES to develop and deliver; health and physical activity monitoring (SportsLinx); evidenced-based programmes of physical activity for schoolchildren (school-based interventions); and educational practice development (teacher training) that have demonstrably enhanced children's physical activity and health.
In May 2012 the UK Chief Medical Officer (CMO) convened a specialist group of 20 academics to discuss a solution to the "population-level lack of physical activity". The group, including Professor Ashley Cooper, concluded that increasing active travel (walking or cycling) to destinations such as work or school is the best option for achieving this aim and encouraged the CMO to embed this is future policy initiatives. Children are a major focus of such initiatives, since the majority of UK children are not sufficiently active to meet current health guidelines, and over the past decade active travel to school has been recognised as a major opportunity for children to achieve healthy levels of physical activity. This case study describes a programme of funded [6,7] research work which has directly informed and underpinned understanding of the importance of active travel to school by policy makers and public health practitioners. The research is heavily cited in policy and planning documents from 2009 to the present date, both in the UK and internationally, and is used by organisations which implement interventions to increase active travel in the UK and internationally. Via these routes this work has benefitted children in many countries through increased physical activity, higher fitness and improved health.
Many children and young people are not sufficiently active to achieve a range of physical and mental health benefits. Extensive research undertaken at the University of Bristol has developed gold-standard methods of quantifying the important contribution that time spent outdoors and greater child independence make to children's daily physical activity. This work has provided unique data to support the development of a new, low-cost approach to adapting residential streets in Bristol for regular outdoor play. The Bristol model has been adopted nationally to provide street-play opportunities in the most disadvantaged areas. It is building capacity to promote outdoor play in a range of public- and third-sector agencies at local, regional and national levels. As a result, children are spending more time outdoors and undertaking increased physical activity, while both children and adults are engaging in more social interaction on residential streets. The model has also been showcased internationally, supporting a cultural shift towards reintroducing the street as a place for children's outdoor play. This shift is necessary to combat the marked decline in street play and child independence which has occurred in recent decades.
Physical inactivity is a global health risk. Research undertaken by the Child and Adolescent Research Unit (CAHRU) demonstrated that there are low levels of physical activity in children across Europe and North America. The findings have informed international [World Health Organisation and UNICEF] strategies to address the physical inactivity and inequalities concerns in youth. Research in Scotland specifically demonstrated low levels of physical activity in adolescent girls. This led to adolescent girls becoming a priority target in the review of the Scottish Government policy `let's make Scotland more active' and to government funded programmes [Fit for Girls; Y-Dance; Girls on the Move].
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.
This case study describes the research pathway and impact of a behaviour change DVD designed to increase physical activity in sedentary individuals in deprived communities. Developed as part of a randomised controlled trial with the National Institute for Health Research's Health Technology Assessment programme (HTA), together with supporting research expertise, the DVD is now part of NHS/local authority commissioned standard care in Barnsley and has reached over 7,000 individuals and families. Service evaluation data confirm the DVD has significantly improved the cardiovascular risk profiles of users and contributed to a population level rise in physical activity in Barnsley.
We improve Public Health and facilitate personal growth through promoting active lifestyles. We have provided an evidence-base of effective intervention approaches across settings, in `hard-to-engage' populations and through distinctive planning and delivery approaches. Our support for practitioners and commissioners has developed (i) ways to show the effectiveness of interventions to increase activity and (ii) programmes that achieve wider developmental aims. These effects are achieved by deploying innovative, often bespoke, realistic impact measures that improve programme effectiveness in locations, venues and groups where other groups do not go.
Research led by Professor Roger Mackett of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at UCL on children's physical activity has been used by central and local government, other public bodies and various advocacy groups to encourage children to be more active. It has been used to support policy documents and proposals aimed at improving children's health and wellbeing. It has led to improvements in the health, welfare and quality of life of many UK communities through, for example, their greater use of walking buses, which also contributes to reduced CO2 emissions.