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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

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

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

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 @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @morayhouse.bsky.social

A poster of the SPARC conference programme for 2025

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

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 SPARC conference poster informing that registration has closed for this year

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

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

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

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

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

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

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

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 @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @morayhouse.bsky.social

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

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

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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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

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

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

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 @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

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

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

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.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Your first workshop announcement is here! Lifelong Strength: Are we built to last? Presenters: Dr Helen Collins & Callum McGregor Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @morayhouse.bsky.social

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

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

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

To practice what we preach, the return of the guided Walk and Wheel will take place during the conference lunch, organised by our wonderful colleagues at Walking Scotland. @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @morayhouse.bsky.social

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

With only 1 month to go until registration closes, there's still time to get your ticket for this year's SPARC Conference 2025. Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @morayhouse.bsky.social

A SPARC conference poster detailing registration info

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Our workshop presenters have been confirmed and contacted! Things are shaping up for this year. Details will be released soon, and you can still register: edin.ac/3V5EsEj @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @morayhouse.bsky.social

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

His current focus is embedding the National Physical Activity Pathway into Health and Social Care through a systems-based approach.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

With over 20 years’ experience in physical activity and public health, he collaborates with local, national, and community partners to design and evaluate programmes that encourage and enable people to be more physically active.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Chris Topping is a Health and Wellbeing Specialist with the Health and Social Care Partnership in Dumfries and Galloway.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Forbes served as a non- Executive Director on the Board of the British Paralympic Association for the past six years, and over a similar time period was the voluntary Chair of his local disability sport organisation, South Lanarkshire Disability Sport.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Forbes then took up the role of Chief Executive at Scottish Swimming and during his six years the sport enjoyed year on year membership growth, made significant progress rolling out the National Learn to Swim Framework and saw Scottish athletes competing at the highest level.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Forbes was the COO at sportscotland, the national agency for sport in Scotland, from April 2019 before being appointed Chief Executive Officer in January 2023. He started his career working in local government, then moved to sportscotland holding various positions from2003 - 2013

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

This post is a funded partnership between COSLA and sportscotland who are committed to working together to ensure future sustainability and viability of the sporting systems and increase the profile of sport and physical activity within COSLA and across local government.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Jillian Gibson is a Policy Manager for Sport and Physical Activity at COSLA, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. A membership organisation representing Scotland’s 32 councils.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Your second keynote announcement is here! Title: From national to local: perspectives on how policy and decision-making is influenced by evidence in leisure, sport, and physical activity in Scottish local government. Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj

A SPARC conference poster announcing three keynote presenters, with headshots of:

Jillian Gibson, Policy Manager for Sport and Physical Activity at COSLA

Forbes Munro, Chief Executive Officer ats sportscotland

Chris Topping, Public Health Improvement Lead, Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care Partnership

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

The Scientific Committee meet at Strathclyde yesterday, to review our abstract and workshop submissions. Thank you to everyone who submitted. Announcements will be sent in due course. If you'd like to join us at SPARC 2025, don't forget to register: www.epay.ed.ac.uk/conferences-...

An open laptop on a table, showing a blurred screen of an excel spreadsheet, with a coffee in the background

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Submission deadline extended! If still need to submit an abstract to SPARC 2025, you're in luck! You now have until 5pm Monday 6th Oct. Submit at the following link: forms.office.com/e/aRd0244Spm @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social

A conference poster for SPARC 2025 detailing abstract submission info

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Only 1 week remaining to submit your workshop application and help shape SPARC 2025. Closing date: 5th October forms.office.com/e/0WPpKWHnD1 @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social

A conference poster detailing workshop submission details for SPARC 2025

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

There's still time to get your abstract submission in for SPARC 2025, but be quick, there's only 1 week left! forms.office.com/e/aRd0244Spm @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social

A conference poster advising on abstract submission details for SPARC 2025

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

SPARC poster sessions are a great way to engage and connect with academics, policy makers and practitioners. Submit your abstract to get involved in this year's session: forms.office.com/e/aRd0244Spm @pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social

Poster boards being reviewed by delegates at a conference

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