Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health

Physical activity isvital for good health. It has an established strong evidence base for its positive effects on functional capacity, reducing the risk of many chronic diseases, and promoting physical, mental and social well-being. Furthermore, these benefits are evident across a diversity of ages, groups and populations. The need for these benefits in current societies means that exercise practitioners, professional bodies, institutions, health authorities and governments require high quality evidence to establish appropriate exercise guidelines, implementation strategies and effective exercise prescription at individual, group and population levels. Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health is the first book to comprehensively present the issues associated with physical activity and health research and outline methods available along with considerations of the issues associated with these methods and working with particular groups. The book outlines the historical and scientific context of physical activity and health research before working through the full research process, from generating literature reviews and devising a research proposal, through selecting a research methodology and quantifying physical activity and outcome measures, to disseminating findings. Including a full section on conducting research studies with special populations, the book includes chapters on: Observational and cross-sectional studies; Interviews, questionnaires and focus groups; Qualitative and quantitative research methods; Epidemiological research methods; Physical activity interventions and sedentary behaviour; and Working with children, older people, indigenous groups, LGBTI groups, and those with physical and mental health issues. Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health is the only book to approach the full range of physical activity research methods from a health perspective. It is essential reading for any undergraduate student conducting a research project or taking applied research modules in physical activity and health, graduate students of epidemiology, public health, exercise psychology or exercise physiology with a physical activity and health focus, or practicing researchers in the area.

1. Why Research into Health and Physical Activity? Stephen R. Bird 2.The Historical and Current Context for Research into Health and Physical Activity Stephen R Bird and David Broom 3. Health Concepts David Broom 4. Nurture vs Nature: The Genetics and Epigenetics of Exercise Macsue Jacques, Shanie Landen, Sarah Voisin, Séverine Lamon, and Nir Eynon 5. Systematically Searching and Reviewing the Literature Nirav Maniar, Kathryn Duncan, and David Opar 6. Producing the Research Proposal Marie Murphy and Catherine Woods 7. Ethical Issues in Health and Physical Activity Research Valerie Cox 8. Observational (Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal) Studies Christopher S. Owens, Diane Crone, Christopher Gidlow, and David VB James 9. Interviews and Focus Groups Diane Crone and Lorena Lozano-Sufrategui 10. Questionnaires Philip Hurst and Stephen R. Bird 11. Notes and Tips on Surveys Philip Hurst and Stephen R. Bird 12. Qualitative Research in Physical Activity and Health Brett Smith and Cassandra Phoenix 13. Intervention studies, training studies and determining the acute responses to bouts of exercise Stephen R. Bird and Catherine Woods 14. An Introduction to Research Methods in the Epidemiology of Health and Physical Activity Trine Moholdt and Bjarne M. Nes 15. Research into Sedentary Behaviour Nicola D. Ridgers and Simone J.J.M. Verswijveren 16. Ensuring Quality Data: Validity, Reliability and Error Damian A. Coleman and Jonathan D. Wiles 17. Quantitative Data Analyses Richard Davison and Paul M. Smith 18. Measurement of Physical Behaviours in Free-Living Populations Alan E. Donnelly and Kieran P. Dowd 19. Measurements of Physical Health and Functional Capacity Brett Gordon and Isaac Selva Raj 20. Physical activity and the "feel-good" effect: challenges in researching the pleasure and displeasure people feel when they exercise Panteleimon Ekkekakis, Matthew A Ladwig, and Mark E Hartman 21. Studying the Risks of Exercise and Its Negative Impacts Andy Smith and Nathalie Noret 22. Research Studies with Children Michael J. Duncan and Keith Tolfrey 23. Research Studies with Older People Jane Sims and Harriet Radermacher 24. Working with Indigenous and Other Cultural Groups Aunty Kerrie Doyle and Elizabeth Pressick 25. Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Damon Kendrick 26. Conducting Physical Activity Research Within Chronic Disease Populations Brigid M. Lynch, Lucy Hackshaw-McGeagh, and Julian Sacre 27. Research Studies with Populations with Mental Health Issues Andy Smith and Nathalie Noret 28. Research Studies in Populations with Physical Disabilities Christof A. Leicht, Barry Mason, and Jan W. van der Scheer 29. Using Health Equity to Guide Future Physical Activity Research Involving People Living with Serious Mental Illness Paul Gorczynski, Shanaya Rathod, and Kass Gibson 30. Disseminating the Research Findings Ashleigh Moreland and Joshua Denham 31. Translating Research Findings into Community Interventions. Considerations for Design and Implementation: A Case Based Approach. Andrew D Williams, Lucy K Byrne, Lindsey B Strieter, Greig Watson, and Ross Arena 32. Translating Research Findings Into Community Interventions. Considerations for Design and Implementation: A Case Based Approach Andrew D Williams, Lucy K Byrne, Lindsey B Strieter, Greig Watson, and Ross Arena

Stephen R. Bird is aResearch GroupLeader at RMIT University, Australia. He has over 30 years of experience working in the University and Hospital sectors in the field of Health and Exercise. He has authored five books in the field, as well as numerous book chapters and over 100 articles on the subject. He is an active member of numerous professional associations, including being a former Chair of the Physiology Section of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. His current research interests include physical activity for older people, the prevention of chronic diseases,and the use of exercise in rehabilitation programs.