Research group Physical Activity and Brain Health, E-PABS
In collaboration with industry, health care and schools, we conduct research on how patterns of activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep can support mental well-being and mental abilities in different phases of life.
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Introduction
We want to understand the underlying physiological and psychological mechanisms, how patterns of physical activity relate to brain health in specific parts of the population, and how physical activity can be promoted in a sustainable way at school, work and leisure. This applies to both people who are currently doing well and those who are in need of rehabilitation.
Purpose
We want to develop knowledge about when in life, how, and under what conditions physical activity can benefit or disadvantage brain function and health.
Our research can be used to make life better for people. Therefore, we develop new knowledge in effective and sustainable collaborations with partners who can utilise the results of research by improving their services, products and working methods.
Research Group Leader
Deputy Research Group Leader
Research themes
The research at the Physical Activity and Brain Health research group is based on three themes.
Neurophysiological pathways from movement habits to brain health
We want to identify the pathways of how everyday activity and exercise affect the brain and its function.
Within the theme, we develop knowledge on the neurophysiological effects of physical activity, as well as on the intensities and patterns of physical activity needed to promote cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and biochemical pathways for brain health, in individuals with or without neurological or psychiatric health conditions.
Principal Investigator
Physical activity and its relationship to brain health throughout life
Physical activity epidemiology investigates how ill health and health relate to the extent and type of physical activity in large groups of people. We are also interested in how hereditary, psychological, social, and physical factors correlate with how much people move physically.
We also conduct method development on how best to measure the extent of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in large groups and obtain contextual information about the circumstances under which people move.
Principal Investigator
Sustainable behavioral changes for brain health
The research within the theme “behavioural change” for brain health focuses on how to develop promoting, preventive and rehabilitative interventions for physical activity from an individual to a societal level, and to evaluate these interventions, including both quantitative and qualitative methods.
The research is conducted in collaboration with partners to develop effective, sustainable and feasible behavioural change interventions in schools, at workplaces, in the home environment and in health care.
Principal Investigator
External and affiliated researchers
- Susanne Andermo, Affiliated Researcher, PhD in Medical Science
- Carla Nooijen, Affiliated Researcher, PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine
- Eva Norén Selinus, Affiliated Researcher, PhD, Senior Consultant in Child Psychiatry
- Amanda Lönn, Affiliated Researcher, PhD in Sport Science
- Emerald Heiland, Affiliated Researcher, PhD in Medical Science
- Emil Bojsen-Møller, Affiliated Researcher, PhD in Sport Science
Financing
We have gratefully received support for our research on physical activity, sustainability and brain health from:
- Forte - The Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare
- Skandia: Ideas for Life
- Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences
- The Kamprad Family Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Research & Charity
- The Knowledge Foundation
- The Public Health Agency of Sweden
- The Swedish Armed Forces
- The Swedish Research Council
- The Swedish Research Council for Sport Science
- The Åke Wiberg Foundation
- Partner companies and organisations (see below)
Partners
Enterprise
- AbbVie External link, opens in new window.
- Activage External link.
- Avonova Health External link, opens in new window.
- BioArctic External link, opens in new window.
- Camp Pro External link, opens in new window.
- Clause External link, opens in new window.
- Health Profile Institute External link, opens in new window.
- IKEA External link, opens in new window.
- Itrim External link, opens in new window.
- KC group External link, opens in new window.
- Monarch Exercise External link, opens in new window.
- Neurocampus External link, opens in new window.
- Neurology clinic External link, opens in new window.
- Permobil External link, opens in new window.
- Psykologpartners External link, opens in new window.
- Sats External link, opens in new window.
- Skandia External link, opens in new window.
- Statisticon External link, opens in new window.
- Storytel External link, opens in new window.
- Tyréns External link, opens in new window.
Non-profit organizations
- Coop
- ICA Gruppen
- Intrum
- Ikea
- Previa/Falck
- Skanska
- Stockholm Consumer Cooperative Society
On this page
Contact
Professor, Pro-vice-chancellorMaria Ekblommaria.ekblom@gih.se+46 8-120 53 736
