Our Research in Physical Activity pillar focuses on co-designing research that increases people's physical activity, improves health outcomes and drives economic growth.

The Research in Physical Activity Pillar is organised into five themes

• Healthy and Active 100
• Living Well with a Health Condition
• AI, Robotics and Digital Innovations
• Transforming Places for Health and Wellbeing
• Technology-assisted Rehabilitation
        

Aim

Capitalise on the collective talent, skills and curiosity of our regional, national and international collaborators and researchers across Sheffield Hallam, to undertake large scale interdisciplinary research proposals that address one or more of the five Global Challenges through physical activity-related research. 
 

Objectives

• Lead research and innovation that increases people’s physical activity across the life course helping to prevent non-communicable disease. 
• Harness the power of digital, non-digital technologies, and artificial intelligence to help people recover from treatment quickly and live independently for longer.  
• Drive forward the Olympic Legacy by growing the research hub of the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine in Sheffield. This means translating knowledge and innovations from elite sport into the health and care sector, enhancing the promotion of physical activity as part of NHS treatment.  
• Utilise exercise as a therapy to enhance quality of life across a range of health conditions (e.g., people living with cancer, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal issues). 
• Lead research that radically reforms the way we design our policies, places and programmes so that we make being physically active more equitable for people across our region. 
• Find new, sustainable ways to engage people and communities in our research, particularly those who are from marginalised communities and those often excluded from health-related research. 
• Use the AWRC facilities to bring together teams, engage partners and provide methodological input in research and innovation programmes that lead to the promotion of active travel across the South Yorkshire region.