You are likely aware that physical activity can help to maintain your health. Although this may not be news, many of us continue to be physically inactive. In fact, the World Health Organization has identified physical inactivity as a serious global health issue that contributes to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
Dr. Ron Plotnikoff, a 2007 recipient of the Killam Annual Professorship and director of the Physical Activity and Population Health (PAPH) Research Lab at the University of Alberta, is determined to tackle the issue.
A professor in the School of Public Health and Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, Plotnikoff has been conducting research, training graduate students, and sharing knowledge with policy makers and practitioners alike for several years. His lab focuses on the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and the promotion of general health through physical activity.
According to Plotnikoff, strategies to improve levels of physical activity need to focus not only on individuals, but also on the environments in which those individuals live, work, and play in order to promote lasting behaviour change. He explains that, ?Effective strategies have to be feasible, sustainable, and cost effective.?
"It is a broad population health perspective that is needed to bring down overall rates of physical inactivity," he says. This is why some of his studies work across school, clinical, workplace, and community settings.
Whether testing ways to increase physical activity within the workplace or developing physical activity strategies to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their condition, Plotnikoff?s projects have one element in common: they involve strong links with partners and communities. A good example of this involves Healthy Alberta Communities ? a project aimed at reducing chronic disease in Alberta and for which he is co-director.
?For me, this is a consistent way of doing things.? He adds, ?I think it is very important that I?m giving back to individuals and practitioners through research and knowledge sharing.? Plotnikoff sees knowledge translation ? where new information is shared with practitioners and applied in their practice ? as an integral part of his work.
Also integral to his work is mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are guided by him in his classrooms and lab. ?My students and trainees are active in all facets of research from preparing grant applications through to delivering academic presentations.? All of the students he has supervised have published their graduate work and several have won significant awards.
Stephanie Brunet, ?03 MSc, who recently completed an assignment as field project manager for Public Health Strengthening in Guyana, worked as a research assistant in Plotnikoff?s lab. She credits that experience with preparing her to tackle the health challenges facing the people of Guyana. ?While working with Dr. Plotnikoff,? she explains, ?I developed research skills and learned how to design and implement programs that are suitable for various populations. I continue using these skills,? she adds, ?on a daily basis.?
Plotnikoff has made significant contributions that extend beyond his research and teaching. For instance, he has served on the Advisory Board for Canada on the Move, a national program to promote physical activity, and was a research advisor to Alberta Learning on the Mandatory Daily Physical Activity Initiative.
Plotnikoff was awarded the Killam Annual Professorship based on his scholarly activities including teaching, research, publications, supervision of graduate students, and service to the community beyond the University in activities related to University responsibilities. He has also received the Martha Cook Piper Research Award and is a Health Scholar with the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.
Up to eight Killam Annual Professorships are awarded to outstanding academics at the University of Alberta in recognition of their distinguished scholarship.
Plotnikoff says he will continue to work with his PAPH team to examine what strategies work to improve physical activity rates. ?I want to work towards building national capacity in physical activity and population health,? he says. Pivotal to his research is Plotnikoff's close association with other well-established teams across campus and across the country. ?We have a wonderful opportunity here at the University of Alberta to shape physical activity and population health in Canada.?
More information about Dr. Plotnikoff's research and information about the Killam Trusts:
Dr. Ron Plotnikoff, a 2007 recipient of the Killam Annual Professorship and director of the Physical Activity and Population Health (PAPH) Research Lab at the University of Alberta, is determined to tackle the issue.
A professor in the School of Public Health and Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, Plotnikoff has been conducting research, training graduate students, and sharing knowledge with policy makers and practitioners alike for several years. His lab focuses on the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and the promotion of general health through physical activity.
According to Plotnikoff, strategies to improve levels of physical activity need to focus not only on individuals, but also on the environments in which those individuals live, work, and play in order to promote lasting behaviour change. He explains that, ?Effective strategies have to be feasible, sustainable, and cost effective.?
"It is a broad population health perspective that is needed to bring down overall rates of physical inactivity," he says. This is why some of his studies work across school, clinical, workplace, and community settings.
Whether testing ways to increase physical activity within the workplace or developing physical activity strategies to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their condition, Plotnikoff?s projects have one element in common: they involve strong links with partners and communities. A good example of this involves Healthy Alberta Communities ? a project aimed at reducing chronic disease in Alberta and for which he is co-director.
?For me, this is a consistent way of doing things.? He adds, ?I think it is very important that I?m giving back to individuals and practitioners through research and knowledge sharing.? Plotnikoff sees knowledge translation ? where new information is shared with practitioners and applied in their practice ? as an integral part of his work.
Also integral to his work is mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are guided by him in his classrooms and lab. ?My students and trainees are active in all facets of research from preparing grant applications through to delivering academic presentations.? All of the students he has supervised have published their graduate work and several have won significant awards.
Stephanie Brunet, ?03 MSc, who recently completed an assignment as field project manager for Public Health Strengthening in Guyana, worked as a research assistant in Plotnikoff?s lab. She credits that experience with preparing her to tackle the health challenges facing the people of Guyana. ?While working with Dr. Plotnikoff,? she explains, ?I developed research skills and learned how to design and implement programs that are suitable for various populations. I continue using these skills,? she adds, ?on a daily basis.?
Plotnikoff has made significant contributions that extend beyond his research and teaching. For instance, he has served on the Advisory Board for Canada on the Move, a national program to promote physical activity, and was a research advisor to Alberta Learning on the Mandatory Daily Physical Activity Initiative.
Plotnikoff was awarded the Killam Annual Professorship based on his scholarly activities including teaching, research, publications, supervision of graduate students, and service to the community beyond the University in activities related to University responsibilities. He has also received the Martha Cook Piper Research Award and is a Health Scholar with the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.
Up to eight Killam Annual Professorships are awarded to outstanding academics at the University of Alberta in recognition of their distinguished scholarship.
Plotnikoff says he will continue to work with his PAPH team to examine what strategies work to improve physical activity rates. ?I want to work towards building national capacity in physical activity and population health,? he says. Pivotal to his research is Plotnikoff's close association with other well-established teams across campus and across the country. ?We have a wonderful opportunity here at the University of Alberta to shape physical activity and population health in Canada.?
More information about Dr. Plotnikoff's research and information about the Killam Trusts: