Can increased physical activity benefit people and communities in the Tees Valley? Teesside University in partnership with Tees Valley Sport

Inactivity is associated with poor outcomes in the areas of physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, individual development, social and community development and economic development. The belief that sport and physical activity (PA) can change lives and become a force for social good is redefining national policy and has changed the focus and priority for the investment of public funding in the sport and PA sector.
In the Tees Valley, local authorities, public health departments and other organisations in the charitable and community sectors are changing the services they deliver to respond to the new national agenda. Whilst all outcomes are relevant, the greatest concentration of effort is being directed towards increasing PA to improve health outcomes, with a focus on individuals and communities in deprived areas. The evidence that this significant change in policy and investment will be effective is inconclusive.
This issue will be addressed in the present PhD proposal via three research strands. Research strand 1 will systematically review quantitative and qualitative evidence of the impact of reducing physical inactivity on improved health outcomes and for individuals and communities in deprived areas. Strand 2 will involve qualitatively investigating the perceptions, knowledge and investment in interventions to reduce inactivity in the Tees Valley. This will include developing an understanding of the evaluative methods used to evidence the behaviour change of participants and the expectations of commissioners and funders. Based on the outcomes for strands 1 and 2, the purpose of strand 3 is to develop, implement and evaluate an innovative pilot intervention to support partners to deliver programmes which reduce inactivity and provide the evidence needed to demonstrate both impact and a social return on investment.
The PhD is being supported by Tees Valley Sport, a partnership organisation whose mission is “to improve the quality of life of all residents in the Tees Valley by increasing participation in sport and physical activity”. It is part of a national network of 43 County Sports Partnerships (CSPs) all of whom receive funding from Sport England to support the delivery of national strategy outcomes and programmes. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain paid employment working as part of the CSP team.