Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC)

Getting people moving and reducing sedentary time are major public health goals. Our research aims to help people of all ages be more active, to sit less and move more. We seek to create an active research environment that will inform teaching (particularly the MSc in Physical Activity for Health) and knowledge exchange in related areas.

Save the date: Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections (SPARC) conference, 4 December 2024

Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections (SPARC), established in 2016, is a network of physical activity researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in Scotland. It is organised by PAHRC and the Active Scotland Division at the Scottish Government. SPARC's annual conference provides an opportunity to network and to learn more about the latest research in the field of physical activity for health. More information is available on the SPARC website.

Visit the SPARC website

Mission

To be an internationally recognised centre of excellence for research, knowledge exchange and impact in the field of physical activity for health.

Vision

To support people in Scotland and further afield to be more active for improved health and well-being.

Objectives

To conduct high-quality research in physical activity for health
To secure funding to support our research
To publish our research in peer-reviewed journals
To maximise impact through facilitating dissemination, uptake and use of our research findings
To actively participate in the wider physical activity and health community to facilitate knowledge exchange
To mentor and develop the next generation of physical activity researchers, policy makers, advocates and practitioners
To maintain and nurture a positive research culture in line with the PAHRC ethos

PAHRC Strategy Document (285.98 KB / PDF)

PAHRC 2023 Highlights (1.11 MB / PDF)

Study with us

MSc Physical Activity for Health

PAHRC members direct the MSc in Physical Activity for Health, which links closely with our research. This graduate programme is designed to tackle the physical inactivity pandemic, enhancing knowledge and understanding of the global issues related to physical activity for health.

What our students say about the course

BMedSci Physical Activity for Health

Our intercalated BMedSci in Physical Activity for Health allows medical students to study this critical aspect of global health. Overall, this programme will allow future doctors to better understand the physical, social and mental health impacts of physical activity, as well as exercise as how exercise can work as medicine and prescription. Doctors trained in physical activity for health will make an important contribution to fighting physical inactivity and the associated diseases. This course is ideal for medical students with a passion for lifestyle medicine, an interest in prevention as well as treatment, and those concerned with chronic diseases of the body and mind.

Other courses

PAHRC members also teach on:

Postgraduate research opportunities (PhD, MPhil, MRes)

We welcome students interested in undertaking postgraduate research in the area of physical activity for health. We are also able to host visiting research students who may wish to collaborate on shared research interests. More information about postgraduate studies, including potential supervisors' availability and areas of interest, is available in our Research Degrees section.

PAHRC members

Members of the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC) team.

PAHRC research

PAHRC's research interests and projects.

Events

PAHRC Weekly Seminar Series - Wednesdays 12:05-13:00 during term time

PAHRC holds weekly internal and external seminars. PAHRC researchers, students and visiting scholars come to give presentations, discuss research and answer questions.

If you would like to attend a conference or contribute to the seminar series, please contact our research and knowledge team by email at PAHRC@ed.ac.uk

Resources

Park Power: Strength and balance exercises

Strength and balance are forgotten aspects of our fitness. There are nine strength and balance exercise for you to follow in this PDF, created by Professor Nanette Mutrie.

They were originally designed for signs in a park (and maybe you can use this to persuade your local park to install them). But you could easily adapt them to do in your own house!

Download the exercises (PDF)