Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections

Ready to welcome a record number of delegates to the 10th annual SPARC conference @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @morayhouse.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social

Recharge with strength! Join Dr Helen Collins from Lifelong Strength Coaching for a 10‑minute “Strong Moves & Good Vibes” session. This quick break is about simple, strength‑based movements to reset your body, boost energy, and keep you feeling powerful throughout the conference

We have had a slight change in programme. This year's pause and stretch session will be taken over by Strong Moves & Good Vibes!

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A poster of the SPARC conference programme for 2025

We are less than 2 weeks away from SPARC 2025!

Here is your programme for what is going to be an incredible day!

More details on our website: www.sparc.education.ed.ac.uk

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A SPARC conference poster informing that registration has closed for this year

Registration is now closed!

Thank you to all who purchased tickets to attend this year's conference, we can't wait to see you all in a couple of weeks.

Details on this year's conference can be found on our website: www.sparc.education.ed.ac.uk

a red alarm clock with the words last chance on it ALT: a red alarm clock with the words last chance on it

Registration closes at 5pm tomorrow!

There are only a few tickets left, so grab them before they're gone!

Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj

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This interactive workshop demonstrates how academic-practice partnerships can help translate physical activity research into actionable public communications.

We are exploring public perceptions of these messages across different population groups to bridge the gap between guidelines and real-world motivation.

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.

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.

This emphasised eight systems including Active Communications. A key action here is applying the Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) to create effective physical activity messages.

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.

Workshop Announcement 4, over half-way now!

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

Presenters: Chloë Williamson (UoE), Purva Abhyankar (UoE), Mark McVerry (PHS), Flora Jackson (PHS)

Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj

A conference poster for SPARC 2025, advising on registrations open until 9th November

With just under a week to go to register, you will need to be quick to get your tickets, they are selling fast!

Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj

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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.

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

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Workshop #3 - halfway there!

Launch of the Local Authority Physical Activity Indicator Charts

Presenters: Jian Lei, Jinghua Chen, Chris Topping & Scottish Gov Rep (TBC)

Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj

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.

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.

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.

Workshop announcement #2

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

Presenter: Callum Regan, Karolinska Institutet

Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj

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The aim of this workshop is to explore the practical application of the 'strength' component of the UK physical activity guidelines.

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.

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, but the guidelines are quite vague regarding prescription which is problematic.

Your first workshop announcement is here!

Lifelong Strength: Are we built to last?

Presenters: Dr Helen Collins & Callum McGregor

Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj

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SPARC Conference 2024 Abstract booklet

All abstract submissions have been contacted, and will appear in this year's abstract booklet. Last year's booklet could be found on the Reception desk.

If you'd like to see these submissions live, register to attend here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj