Welcome to the Nordic Conference on Physical Activity and Brain Health

The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) is pleased to invite you to the Nordic Conference on Physical Activity and Brain Health, November 11–12, 2026. You can now register for the conference.

Conference Theme: Physical Activity and Brain Health Across the Lifespan: Translating Research into Public and Private Action
Date: November 11-12, 2026
Time: First day 9.30 am – Second day 2:00 pm
Location: Stockholm, at Skandia HQ (Lindhagensgatan 86)
Cost: The conference fee of 600 SEK includes lunch and coffee breaks for both days. Participation in the dinner on the 11th brings the total fee to 1,000 SEK.

The conference brings together researchers and societal stakeholders to advance our understanding of how physical activity can promote brain health across the lifespan. By linking research to societal needs, the conference provides a platform for knowledge exchange and discussion on the role of physical activity in prevention and rehabilitation across settings such as education, workplaces, and healthcare.

Target group: This conference brings together researchers, PhD students, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors who aim to advance positive societal change in the fields of physical activity and brain health across the lifespan.

Topics and Areas of Interest

Topics for abstracts:

Neurophysiological and psychological mechanisms – Exploring mechanisms for how physical activity might influence brain health
Epidemiological investigations of physical activity and brain health from a broad perspective, including the roles of genes, the environment, resilience pathways, and other related factors across different populations.
Design and evaluation of behavior change initiatives for brain health

Important dates

These are dates for you to remember:

Invitation and registration: from the 11th of May
Call for abstract opening: 20th of May
Publication of preliminary conference program: 18th of June
Deadline for abstract submission: 30th of September
Registration for the conference closes: 2nd of October

Register for the conference

Registration is now open. You can now register for the Nordic conference on physical activity and brain health.

Link to registration External link, opens in new window.

Call for abstract

Call for abstracts is now open. Please use the link below for more information.

Instructions for Abstracts pdf, 244.9 kB, opens in new window.

Preliminary conference program

Please use the link below for more information.

Programme for the conference pdf, 122.4 kB, opens in new window.

An interactive pre-conference workshop by NIRx will be held on the 10th of November at GIH. Please use the link below for more information and registration.

Information about the pre-conference External link.

Keynote speakers

These are the keynote speakers for the conference:

Doctor Kirk Erickson´s vast research program focuses on the effects of physical activity on brain health across the lifespan. This research has resulted in > 380 published articles and 15 book chapters. He has been awarded a large multi-site Phase III clinical trial examining the impact of exercise on cognitive function in cognitively normal older adults. His research has been featured in a long list of print, radio, and electronic media, including the New York Times, CNN, BBC News, NPR, Time, and the Wall Street Journal.

Dr. Kirk Erickson is Director of Translational Neuroscience and Mardian J. Blair Endowed Chair of Neuroscience at the AdventHealth Research Institute, Neuroscience Institute. He was also a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh before starting at AdventHealth.

Professor Emerita Theresa Marteau´s research interests include the development and evaluation of interventions to change behavior (primarily diet, tobacco, and alcohol consumption) to improve population health equitably and sustainably, with a particular focus on changing environments that shape behavior, and on the acceptability of government interventions to change behavior to the public and policymakers. In recognition of her contributions to population health and behavioral science, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2017. Her book Pushback: Changing Who Controls Our Health and Planet is due to be published by The Bodley Head in January 2027.

Theresa Marteau is Research Professor Emerita in behavioral science in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care in the Clinical School at the University of Cambridge and Honorary Fellow of Christ’s College, Cambridge.