E-PABS - a centre of Excellence in Physical Activity, healthy Brain functions and Sustainability

Emerging evidence suggests that physical activity across the life span is related not only to cardiovascular health, but also to cognitive performance, mental health and wellbeing. Preclinical data and animal studies suggest that experimental exercise promotes cerebrovascular and neuroplastic processes of importance for brain structure and function, but we still do not know if and under what circumstances these biological mechanisms promote healthy brain functions and/or prevent neurodegenerative diseases in humans. Nor have we identified any dose-response relationship or have full understanding of the variations between individuals in sufficient detail to translate research into effective health promotion for all. These knowledge gaps hinder well-designed research on how implementation of supportive environments at schools, workplaces, and during leisure time can support a lifestyle that sustainably supports healthy brain functions.

The overarching aim of this project is to establish an internationally leading Centre of Excellence for researchers and businesses who want to understand the relations between physical activity patterns and healthy brain functions from a sustainability and life span perspective. The organisational objective of this project is to strategically develop and consolidate a collaborative infrastructure for education and research in physical activity for brain health and sustainability of high societal and business relevance, by establishing a centre of Excellence in Physical Activity, healthy Brain functions and Sustainability (E-PABS).

E-PABS will be organised at the department of physical activity and health, with three levels of leadership, a steering committee, an executive committee and research themes. E-PABS will focus on four research objectives targeting
1) neurophysiological pathways for brain health in individuals with and without pre-existing stress-related disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and mobility limitations,
2) how age, sex, occupation and pre-existing health conditions influence how fitness and physical activity patterns are associated to brain health,
3) the heritability of physical activity and how heritability may affect the relation between physical activity and brain health,
4) methods for how physical activity can be feasibly, sustainably and effectively implemented in schools, work-places and during leisure time.

Our business partners will contribute with expertise, materials, equipment and education to further increase the quality of the research and will use their new insights to develop new products, services, and policies that will increase their competitiveness. This application describes co-production from Monark Exercise AB, HPI Health profile institute AB, SAAB AB, SATS Sports Club AB, Itrim International AB, Avonova AB, AbbVie AB, Bioarctic AB, Permobil AB, Livförsäkringsbolaget Skandia ömsesidigt, Storytel AB and IKEA of Sweden AB.