How dependent on environment are we for our physical activity and health?

• The fields of human movement, environmental and epidemiological studies have during the last decade developed a new understanding about how the physical environment affects our physical activity (PA), health and well-being. This has to a large extent been possible through strong technical and methodological developments. In my lecture I will present various examples of this important development. One relates to how preschool environments can stimulate to PA, another how neighbourhood settings act on adults levels of PA, and a third example will deal with route environments in relation to cycling and its effects on both PA behaviour and environmental well-being. Active transportation can also enhance ambient air qualities, and the value of this in a public health context will be illuminated through a realistic example from the metropolitan area of Greater Stockholm, Sweden. Finally, I will present evidence on that environment may alter the physical exertion of PA, and discuss the role of physical education and health promotion in relation to this emerging field of knowledge.

Keyword

environment

physical activity

health

physical education

cycling

environmental well-being

Medicin/Teknik

Medicine/Technology

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)