Health and wellbeing experts at Swansea University are sharing the importance of physical activity for everyone, regardless of age, race, or gender.
As part of Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS), researchers at Swansea University not only consider a wide range of issues around wellbeing but also inform leaders how people in Wales can lead healthier lives.
To coincide with the release of its fifth annual report and International Women’s Day, WIPAHS has also just launched a new website. This new platform provides a central hub for access to new and existing research, updates on sport, physical activity, and health developments, as well as ways to contact the team about potential projects.
WIPAHS is a pan-Wales network which sees all eight Welsh universities working with Sport Wales, Welsh Government and Public Health Wales. It brings together academia, those facilitating physical activity and sport, policy makers and the public to help create a healthier society.
WIPAHS Co-Director Professor Kelly Mackintosh, of Swansea University’s Sport and Exercise Sciences Department, said: “This year’s report is a powerful reflection of our commitment to driving meaningful change.
“A major highlight of 2024 has been the establishment of the Wales Women’s Physical Activity, Health, and Sport Network, a collaborative effort to advance women’s health and sport research from menarche to menopause. Funded by the Wales Innovation Network (WIN), this marks the first of several special interest groups where we take a proactive rather than reactive approach to research needs across Wales.
“This month we will also be showcasing our progress at the Senedd, reinforcing our dedication to ensuring gender equity in physical activity and health policy."
Complementing this work, WIPAHS has partnered with Torfaen Sports Development to fund Swansea University master’s student Ines Affany to evaluate the impact of its #IfYouGoIGo programme to empower women to be more active more often.
Other key developments in the field of children’s movement and wellbeing include:
- a new PhD project, jointly funded by Swansea University and ScootFit, with PhD student Cerys Cole investigating children’s balance, hypermobility, and scooting behaviours, and
- the completion of the Family Active Zone evaluation commissioned by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Active Young People Department (AYPD).
Co-Chair of the Institute’s Strategic Management Board Owen Hathway, from Sport Wales added: “2024 has been another fantastic year for WIPAHS, solidifying further its growing reputation across the academic and sport sector. It has been fantastic seeing the institute becoming a go-to avenue for research questions and knowledge transfer, not only within the traditional sport sector, but also across areas of public health and education.
“WIPAHS continues to be a vital partnership for Sport Wales as we aim to remain an insight-led organisation.
“I am excited that the launch of a new website will ensure that the institute grows its visibility, making it even easier for organisations and the public to engage with our work.”
If you would like to collaborate with WIPAHS reach out via the Expression of Interest form on the website
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