On 7 November 2018, the third Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections (SPARC) event was held in the John McIntyre Conference Centre at the University of Edinburgh.

This event, organised by the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at Moray House School of Education and Sport and Active Scotland Division, Scottish Government, brings together physical activity for health researchers, practitioners and policy makers from across Scotland.

SPARC 2018 Conference Report and presentation videos now available to view below

Conference Report SPARC 2018

SPARC 2018 Abstracts

Welcome address from Professor Nanette Mutrie
(Director, Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, University of Edinburgh)

Active Scotland Delivery Plan
Joe Fitzpatrick (Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing)

Keynote address: Revised UK physical activity guidelines
Dr Charlie Foster (Reader in Physical Activity and Public Health, Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences; Chair of UK CMOs Expert Committee for Physical Activity)

Keynote address: Global Health Strategy
Professor Fiona Bull (World Health Organisation) 

Oral presentation: Why do older adults start and continue to walk with organised walking? 
Nicky Laing (University of Edinburgh) 

Oral presentation: The impact of a step count intervention project on physical activity levels and self-reported general health in University student nurses 
Dr Audrey Duncan (University of Dundee) 

Oral presentation: Gender differences in physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis 
Sophie Westrop (University of Glasgow) 

Oral presentation: Multi-morbidity rehabilitation, building an evidence base and improving perceived physical function in people with long term conditions 
Jane Holt (NHS Ayrshire and Arran) 

Oral presentation: Active Forth Exercise Referral Programme – Does participation over 12 weeks improve participants’ health? 
Scott Burton (Falkirk Community Trust) 

Actify (the new online platform that hosts a range of digital content designed to help people become more active, more often) interviewed our Workshop facilitators, Nanette Mutrie (Director of PAHRC) and Caspian Richards (Head of Strategy, Active Scotland Division, Scottish Government). All interviews can be viewed on the SPARC Hub.