Realigning the physical activity research agenda for population health, equity, and wellbeing

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) 2024-08, Vol.404 (10451), p.411-414
• Main Authors: Ding, Ding, Chastin, Sebastien, Salvo, Deborah, Nau, Tracy, Gebel, Klaus, Sanchez-Lastra, Miguel Adriano, Luo, Mengyun, Crochemore-Silva, Inacio, Ekelund, Ulf, Bauman, Adrian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Athletes with disabilities; Carbon footprint; Collaboration; Exercise; Health Equity; Humans; Medical research; Mental disorders; Mental health; Paralympic Games; Physical activity; Population Health; Population studies; Populations; Public health; Questions; Researchers; Sustainable development; Wearable computers; Well being
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01540-X

[...]rather than continuing to invest in understanding the correlates of physical activity in well studied populations, research could be diverted towards using existing evidence to inform population-level actions.14 Rather than continual reaffirmation of what has already been established as strong associations between physical activity and all-cause mortality as early as 2008,15 research efforts should focus on understudied areas and underserved populations, and use new methods for implementing and scaling up physical activity interventions.4,16 For example, an important area that needs more research and action is the role of physical activity in mental health and wellbeing, including how to implement large-scale physical activity interventions among those with a major mental health condition, such as depression.17 The next question to ask is who is likely to benefit from undertaking the research. [...]consideration of micro-level and macro-level contexts needs to inform research to a greater extent. Approaches that focus on co-benefits, such as reduced carbon footprints, cleaner air, and favourable educational and social outcomes, and which build partnerships and a shared agenda are more likely to create long-term positive outcomes for healthy and sustainable human development in resource-constrained environments.35,36 To progress strategies to increase population-level physical activity, researchers need to reflect on what questions need answering, how they aim to answer them, who will benefit from the research, which groups need to be engaged in co-creation, and within what context (figure).