Workshops 2025

Workshop 1

Title: Launch of the Local Area Physical Activity Indicator Charts

Organisation:

Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, University of Edinburgh,

Scottish Government,

Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care Partnership,

Public Health Scotland 

Presenters:

Tessa Strain

Niall Taylor

Flora Jackson

Jian Lei

Jinghua Chen

Chris Topping

 

The recent Physical Activity for Health National Framework presents a range of indicators to monitor prevalence and progress. Finding local level data often involves searching multiple different reports and websites. We have analysed and collated data at Local Authority level to aid planning and decision making.

Presenters will give an outline of the development of the charts, reflecting on the collaborative working process. There will then be the opportunity for attendees to discuss the potential utility of the charts and provide any feedback for future editions.

 

Workshop 2

Title: How to get started with GGIR: An open-source R package to process accelerometer data

Organisation: Karolinska Institutet

Presenters: Callum Regan

 

As technology advances the use of accelerometers becomes more affordable and available to researchers and others conducting studies relating to measuring physical activity. GGIR can be installed in R and is free of cost, unlike more commonly used programmes such as ActiLife. The open-source nature means that researchers and others can share their R scripts and aid each other with data processing problems. If you don’t know how to use R, that’s ok because GGIR has been made to be user-friendly. If more of us can become proficient in using GGIR then harmonised physical activity estimates can be incorporated into evidence such as prevalence levels and associations with health. This evidence can then be used in action – by informing health promotion initiatives to promote physical activity and even inform physical activity recommendations and policies.

It is planned to have a brief introduction which presents what GGIR is and the advantages of using it to process accelerometer data. This will be followed by a short demonstration where the presenter shows how to install GGIR and import a GGIR script which the participants can do at the same time on their laptops. The next part of the workshop and the part which will take up the most time will be a group activity where participants work together to change several settings in the GGIR script and interpret the some of the output produced. The last 10 minutes or so is allocated for a reflection and discussion in groups of how the output from GGIR could be used in practice followed by bringing all groups together to reflect on how accelerometer measured physical activity can be incorporated into evidence and inform policy/practice. This last part can simply be a think-aloud group discussion or could be in the form of an online Menti survey where responses can be seen in real time, anonymously. Resources for how to find more information about GGIR will also be provided.

 

Workshop 3

Title: Lifelong Strength: Are we built to last?

Presenters: Dr Helen Collins & Callum McGregor

 

Despite best efforts, strength training is still classified as the ‘forgotten guideline’ in the UK physical activity guidelines, although there are countless benefits. There could be many reasons for this, but the guidelines are quite vague regarding prescription which is problematic. What complicates this even more is variability regarding prescription for key groups across the lifespan and insufficient appropriately qualified personnel to deliver this mode of activity.

In this workshop, we will explore the evidence regarding benefits of strength- based exercise and prescription for key groups and discuss how this can be put into practice. There will be a practical element so be prepared to move!

 

Workshop 4

Title: Pickleball can deliver on desired actions of the Sport and Recreation outcome of the Physical Activity for Health Framework 

Organisation: Pickleball Scotland

Presenters: Nanette Mutrie & Sandra Macrae

 

The Scottish Physical Activity for Health Framework, which was launched in October 2024, has eight outcomes. The framework also provides evidence based actions for each outcome. One of the outcomes is entitled ‘Sport and Recreation’ and the evidence based actions are:
 
1. Prioritise the least active as well as retaining existing, and returning,
participants.
2. Build workforce capacity; enhance the knowledge, skills and competency of
the workforce to engage, motivate and enable, inclusive and equitable
opportunities.
3. Provide universally accessible programmes.
4. Strengthen access to places, spaces and services that enable equitable
and inclusive access and reduce inequalities.
 
Pickleball is a new sport to Scotland. Pickleball Scotland was formed in 2018 and was granted National Governing Body Status in 2024. The growth of the game has been exponential. There is limited data and research on Pickleball but this sport can deliver on all 4 of the actions within “Sport and Recreation’ outcome of the Physical Activity for Health Framework.
 
The aim of this workshop is to show how pickleball is able to deliver on all 4 of the evidenced based actions for the Sport and Recreation outcome of the Physical Activity for Health framework.

 

Workshop 5

Title: Scottish Disability Sport: A Call to Action

Organisation: Scottish Disability Sport

Presenters:

Mark Gaffney
Marietta Van Der Linden
 
Scottish Disability Sport has launched a four-point Call to Action that calls on organisations across Scotland to take urgent action to remove the significant barriers faced by people with a disability in accessing sport and physical activity.
The four-point Call to Action follows the publication of a new national survey by SDS, which highlights the ongoing inequalities experienced by people with a disability and the impact this has on their quality of life.
 
The survey conducted by Scottish Disability Sport in partnership with Queen Margaret University Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHEARR) revealed that 40% of people with a disability in Scotland are worried about losing their benefits if they are seen to be more physically active. With nearly 1 in 5 respondents doing no physical activity each week, yet 73% expressing a desire to do more, the results from the survey highlight concerns around the benefits system, rising living costs, public transport and more.
 
SDS is urging government, local authorities, health boards, education providers, leisure trusts and third-sector organisations to recognise the rights of people with a disability, as set out in Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and to collaborate on systemic change.
 
Key actions called for include:
 
Plan to Include
Deliver an inclusive whole system approach
A benefits and social care system that equips individuals to be active
Champion intersectionality through a person-centred approach
 
The Aim of the workshop is to consider how everyone can play their part in implementing a Whole System Approach to support this Call to Action and assist in removing barriers to physical activity and sport for people with disabilities or long term health conditions.

 

Workshop 6

Title: From guidelines to action: co-producing physical activity messages for Scotland 

Organisation: University of Edinburgh and Public Health Scotland

Presenters:

Chloë Williamson (UoE)

Purva Abhyankar (UoE)

Mark McVerry (PHS)

Flora Jackson (PHS)

 

Physical inactivity significantly increases the risk of non-communicable diseases, leading to around 3,000 deaths annually in Scotland. To address this, the Scottish Government launched the “Physical Activity for Health: Scotland’s National Framework” in October 2024, emphasising eight systems including Active Communications. A key action here is applying the Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) to create effective physical activity messages. 

The PAMF, introduced in 2021, aids in developing targeted, co-produced messages rather than relying solely on guidelines. While the UK released updated physical activity guidelines in 2021, no accompanying messages were developed, highlighting a crucial gap.  

Partnering with Public Health Scotland, we (researchers from the University of Edinburgh) are conducting an ESRC-funded project that uses the PAMF to create Scotland-specific messages aimed at enhancing public motivation and reducing inactivity. We are exploring public perceptions of these messages across different population groups to bridge the gap between guidelines and real-world motivation.

 

This interactive workshop demonstrates how academic-practice partnerships can help translate physical activity research into actionable public communications. Based on an ongoing collaboration between University of Edinburgh and Public Health Scotland, participants will experience the process of applying the Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) to develop evidence-based messages that bridge the gap between UK Chief Medical Officer guidelines and what actually motivates adults in Scotland to move more.