Physical activity offers many benefits to physical health and well-being, yet physical activity behaviour is complex and multifaceted. A wide-range of individual, environmental, and social components may influence participation in terms of activity type, intensity and duration.
This programme seeks to investigate physical activity among adults, specifically those with rheumatic and musculoskeletal (RMD) conditions, in both clinical and community settings. The aims of this research are to examine ways in which disease-related disability, pain and fatigue can be reduced, and physical functioning and psychosocial health can be improved in this population. Current projects and plans include:
- conducting theory-driven behavioural interventions that aim to increase activity and ensure long-term maintenance
- characterisation of physical activity levels and patterns among ageing and RMD subpopulations' physical and mental health outcomes, using subjective and objectively measured activity
- examination of ways in which mixed methods (subjective and objective) can be used in physical activity assessment to mutually inform and best characterise physical activity among older adults and/or those with RMD
For further information please contact: Kathryn R Martin