Organisers from SSHS, PCMD, UKSBM and the MRC, of the first joint UK Society of Behaviour Medicine/ Medical Research Council (NPRI) conference held at Exeter University in 2009.Our interdisciplinary research specialisms link pre-clinical laboratory and fundamental research with epidemiological and intervention studies to enhance our understanding of the relationship between physical activity and health across the lifespan.
Academics in the group collaborate widely with colleagues within psychophysiology and with researchers from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD) and the Schools of Biosciences, Physics, Psychology and Geography (in the college of Life & Environmental Sciences) and the Exeter Business School. For example, external research grants have funded NHS trials with PCMD to determine the effects of exercise as a therapy for depression, falls among Parkinson’s patients, smoking cessation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Such research has a direct impact on health service policy and practice.
Our researchers are leading externally funded current projects in excess of £2m awarded since 2007 from the National Institute of Health Research (HTA), Medical Research Council and partners in the National Prevention Research Initiative (NPRI), Wellcome Trust, Unilever PLC, British Medical Association and Sports Council for Wales. Group members are also co-applicants for current externally funded research worth over £2.5m, led by colleagues within PCMD, the School of Geography and at other universities including Bristol and St George’s Medical School, London.
As such, we place a strong emphasis on impact on health and well-being, through engagement with patients and community based participants, a range of health and other professionals, and health policy makers.
