Knowledge exchange sessions on ‘Hot Topics’ in physical activity for health in 2023 in Scotland. We have designed these sessions to facilitate discussion and interaction between practitioners, policy makers and academics. You will be able to attend one workshop.
Connecting research, policy and practice in Scotland from SPARC and beyond – how do we continue discussions for the next 12 months?
The annual SPARC conference is an opportunity for those working in research, policy and practice to share current work and idea in the area of physical activity. But why does it need to end there? Whilst some people might follow up with their contacts after the conference, there is a potential for a wider network to be developed to continue relationships throughout the year. At this interactive knowledge exchange session we will discuss the needs of the SPARC community beyond the conference with regards to research and evaluation support and what can be put in place to create a stronger physical activity network in Scotland. We will also introduce some ideas that can help with this including a Scottish physical activity seminar series and the updated Actify Website.
Chair: Gemma Ryde
Speakers: Aidan Gallacher
Physical Activity messaging and communication
In this interactive KE session, Dr Chloë Williamson (Postdoctoral Fellow in Physical Activity for Health, University of Edinburgh) and Jennifer Love (Head of Strategy and Communications, Active Scotland, Scottish Government) will discuss the role of messaging in physical activity promotion, and share some of the work they have done and continue to do around messaging to get people moving more. Bring along your thinking caps, notebooks, and brightest physical activity messaging ideas and burning questions.
Chair: Simone Tomaz
Speakers: Dr Chloë Williamson, Jennifer Love
24 hour movement/non-movement behaviours and guidelines
This KE session will focus on 24-hour movement behaviours (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep). We will open with an introduction on what 24-hour movement behaviours are and why they are important. This will be followed by a presentation on the importance of sleep, in the context of 24-hour movement behaviours. We will then follow with two presentations which explore 24-hour movement behaviours in two distinct populations; people with type 1 diabetes, and pre-school children. Using examples from sport and exercise science, the final presentation will explore the scope for knowledge exchange between researchers, practitioners and policy makers using large datasets.
Chair: Katy Weston
Speakers: Megan Crawford, Mhairi Patience, Xanne Janssen, Andrew Dalziell and Matthew Weston
Is Scotland walking in the right direction? Analysis of trends in walking and reflections from policy and practice
The focus of this KE session is on the history of walking promotion in Scotland. We will start by discussing the various policy and delivery actions over the last 25 years. We will then present trends in levels of walking over the last decade from the Scottish Health Survey focusing on inequalities (deprivation, age, and gender) and consider how walking contributes to the total MVPA of adults in Scotland. Finally, we will reflect on what has been learned and discuss the key policy objectives for the next 25 years.
Chair: Graham Baker
Talk 1: The story of walking promotion in Scotland: a timeline of events over 20 years (Rona Gibb)
Talk 2: Walking levels on the move? Findings from national surveillance data 2012-2019 (Tessa Strain; Researcher)
Talk 3: Walking policy in Scotland: what next? (Nanette Mutrie)
Discussant: Paul Kelly
https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/graham-baker
https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/nanette-mutrie
https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/paul-kelly
https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/persons/tessa-strain
Engaging hard-to-reach populations in regular physical activity in Scotland
This workshop will provide an opportunity researchers, policy makers and practitioners to share experiences of trying to engage participants from hard-to-reach groups in physical activity interventions and research in Scotland. Participants will be encouraged to consider the lessons learned from experience of our 4 speakers (5-7 mins each), and discuss their challenges and experiences with a view to proposing top tips for future work with hard-to-reach groups.
- Embedding approaches for engaging hard to reach groups in physical activity academic research Deirdre Harrington, Senior Lecturer Physical for Health, University of Strathclyde
- A national perspective on developing and delivering physical activity programmes that engage with hard to reach groups Emma Berry, Senior Development Officer, Movement for Health, Paths for All
- Ensuring “hard to reach” groups are able to benefit from being more active by providing a supportive & motivating space to think, plan and move forward. Jodi Sharpe – Active Health Link Worker, Velocity Cafe and Bicycle Workshop, Active Health Project
- Designing a cycling project to be accessible to people with low mood/social isolation Emily Williams – CEO Velocity Cafe and Bicycle Workshop, Cycle to Health
Chair/Discussant: Marie Murphy (PAHRC)
Research evidence and practitioner experience of using physical activity to support mental health in Scotland
Chair: Dr Claire Fitzsimons
Speakers:
Professor Ailsa Niven, University of Edinburgh https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/ailsa-niven
Robert Nesbitt, SAMH https://www.samh.org.uk/get-involved/physical-activity-and-sport
In this session we will explore how physical activity can benefit our mental health. Ailsa will present research evidencing the relationship between physical activity and mental health outcomes. Robert will share work SAMH is involved with in this area, exploring Scotland’s Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity and Sport and considering how to build capacity in this area in Scotland. There will also be time for the session attendees to discuss and reflect on progress and challenges in this area in Scotland – and to look to the future to consider priorities for physical activity and mental health.