Physical Activity Exchange

Delivering world-class research and applied solutions for better health and well-being

The Physical Activity Exchange brings together research, policy and practice that impacts physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health across the life-course.

For over 20 years we have successfully worked in partnership with public, private and third sector organisations, providing a broad range of research, education and consultancy services.

You can follow our updates on twitter: @LJMUPAEx.

For any enquires please contact Professor Lynne Boddy, PAEx Lead: L.M.Boddy@ljmu.ac.uk

What we do

We work together with funders, commissioners, practitioners, service users and participants to co-produce evidence-based interventions that are feasible, have impact and are sustainable in the real world.

Our research uses the best available science, employing mixed methods approaches to understand and change behaviour in populations across the life-course and health-span.

We work across multiple settings including schools, workplaces, NHS trusts, community organisations, and with families to conduct robust, timely and impactful work. Our work has received national and international recognition for its impact and rigour as evidenced by 5* REF impact case studies and international awards.

How we work

We research and evaluate the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on health and well-being
We use robust scientific measures to provide information on levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health
We explore factors that affect participation in physical activity and sedentary behaviour
We design, implement and evaluate interventions to change behaviour
We work collaboratively with our external partners to translate evidence into policy and practice

Publications

View our publications

Example Projects

Movement Matters

Movement Matters is a research project lead by the Physical Activity Exchange and is funded by the Bailey Thomas Charitable Fund. The project aims to positively impact motor competence and physical activity levels in children with intellectual disabilities.

Movement Matters builds upon 10 years of research lead by the PAEx which has explored the physical activity behaviours of children with additional needs, a group often overlooked in the field.

The most recent research conducted by the PAEx indicated that motor competence is low among this population with a high proportion of participants ranked as ‘below average’ for their age and sex (based on typically developing normative data).

Furthermore, PA levels are also low when compared to government guidelines. Future trials using rigorous research designs are therefore warranted to establish whether interventions can increase motor competence and physical activity in children with intellectual disabilities. This Movement Matters programme is using a participatory, co-production approach, actively engaging local stakeholders from all levels (including children with intellectual disabilities and their families), alongside the research team with the aim of designing an intervention which is context-sensitive, effective and sustainable within local infrastructures.

Children from local SEN and mainstream schools will be invited to participate in the intervention and complete research outcomes to assess the level of impact on the target outcomes of motor competence and physical activity.

Throughout the summer term of 2022, two local SEN schools trailed the preliminary version of the co-produced intervention to assess how acceptable it was for use. The intervention included a classroom-based psychoeducational movement programme, eLearning course for teachers and coaches and a celebrational community sports day held at LJMU’s brand new sports centre.

Any schools, teachers or parents interested in future phases of the project can contact the project lead, Dr Sarah Taylor, via email on S.L.Taylor1@ljmu.ac.uk.

Our Networks

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Disability Sport and Physical Activity Network (DisSPA)

Network Leads: Dr Tabo Huntley and Milly Blundell

Find out more information on the Disability Sport and Physical Activity Network.

Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity Network (PESSPA)

Network Lead: Ceri Magill

Find out more information on the Physical Education School Sport and Physical Activity Network.

Physical Education students enjoying a practical lecture
Pupils from Holly Lodge visit our world-class science labs
Students taking part in martial arts practice
Physical Activity Exchange HQ