Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health

Physical activity is vital 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.

Stephen R. Bird is a Research Group Leader 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.

1. Why Research into Health and Physical Activity? 2.The Historical and Current Context for Research into Health and Physical Activity 3. Health Concepts 4. Nurture vs Nature: The Genetics and Epigenetics of Exercise 5. Systematically Searching and Reviewing the Literature 6. Producing the Research Proposal 7. Ethical Issues in Health and Physical Activity Research 8. Observational (Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal) Studies 9. Interviews and Focus Groups 10. Questionnaires 11. Notes and Tips on Surveys 12. Qualitative Research in Physical Activity and Health 13. Intervention studies, training studies and determining the acute responses to bouts of exercise 14. An Introduction to Research Methods in the Epidemiology of Health and Physical Activity 15. Research into Sedentary Behaviour 16. Ensuring Quality Data: Validity, Reliability and Error 17. Quantitative Data Analyses 18. Measurement of Physical Behaviours in Free-Living Populations 19. Measurements of Physical Health and Functional Capacity 20. Physical activity and the "feel-good" effect: challenges in researching the pleasure and displeasure people feel when they exercise 21. Studying the Risks of Exercise and Its Negative Impacts 22. Research Studies with Children 23. Research Studies with Older People 24. Working with Indigenous and Other Cultural Groups 25. Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 26. Conducting Physical Activity Research Within Chronic Disease Populations 29. Using Health Equity to Guide Future Physical Activity Research Involving People Living with Serious Mental Illness 30. Disseminating the Research Findings 31. Translating Research Findings into Community Interventions. Considerations for Design and Implementation: A Case Based Approach. 32. Translating Research Findings Into Community Interventions. Considerations for Design and Implementation: A Case Based Approach