Physical Activity

Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor in mortality globally.

The indirect and direct costs of physical inactivity to Canada total in the billions annually, reaching $6.8B in 2009. Although physical activity and fitness are often assessed through isolated research programs at universities, their integration into broader health research programs promises innovative solutions for some of the largest challenges faced by the Canadian healthcare system. 

At UBC, there are over 60 researchers working on various aspects of exercise health using a variety of approaches, including basic, clinical, social, and population-level research. These researchers span both campuses and 6 Faculties, including Medicine, Arts, Education, Land and Food Systems, UBC-O Faculty of Health & Social Development and UBC-O Irving K. Barber School of Arts & Sciences.

Relevant Institutes and Centres

• Health and Psychology Lab, UBC-O
• Population Physical Activity Lab
• Psychology of Exercise, Health, and Physical Activity Laboratory (PEHPA Lab)
• Physical Activity for Precision Health (UBC Research Excellence Cluster)

News & Events

Cross-cutting researcher gathering—On September 11th, 2017, Helen Burt, AVP Research & Innovation, and Mike Coughtrie, Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences, hosted a gathering of researchers working across Faculties in Diabetes, Obesity, Nutrition, & Physical Activity to identify and create opportunities for cross-cutting research collaboration. For more information on the research exchange or to ensure that you are added to this communications list for physical activity health research, e-mail Kyle Demes.