The Ageing SIG brings together researchers interested in how physical activity, sedentary behaviour and nutrition impact on the health of older people. This SIG recognises that the impacts of these behaviours may start before old age (traditionally defined as aged 60 or 65 years and older) which is also reflected in the name of the SIG. 

One of the great public health successes of the 20th Century was the increase in life expectancy in populations around the world. One of the key challenges of the 21st Century will be to ensure that these extra years are healthy. As people age they may undergo transitions in employment, housing and social networks. These may impact health behaviours resulting in sarcopenia and declines in physical and cognitive functioning leading to disablement, dependence and reduced quality of life. However, regular physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour and optimal nutrition can help to prevent these declines and are crucial to maintaining independent living, something older adults themselves rate as very highly important to them.

The proposed Ageing SIG will take a multidisciplinary approach to focus on how physical activity, sedentary behaviour and nutrition are important for healthy ageing.

AIMS

The Ageing SIG aims to build a community of ISBNPA members interested in promoting optimal sedentary behaviour, physical activity and nutrition to ensure healthy ageing. This SIG will provide a platform to disseminate evidence and to promote networking and collaboration.  

GOALS

  • Develop a network of clinicians, policy makers and researchers interested in Ageing;
  • Facilitate discussion and action;
  • Encourage collaboration and networking;
  • Provide professional support through exchanging information about relevant conferences, seminars and workshops and offering professional development opportunities;
  • Map activities of members;
  • Engage with other SIGs and societies related to Ageing, e.g. Society of Behavioral Medicine, International Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology. 

AWARDS AND FUNDING

The Ageing SIG is proud to introduce three new SIG awards for 2023-2024. Nominations are due April 1, 2024.

  • Learn more and apply to this initiative [HERE]

SIG Co-chairs

Libby Richards and Hattie Wright.

Reach out via this [EMAIL – [email protected]].

SIG leadership team

Shilpa Dogra and Trynke Hoekstra – Webinars

Neha P. Gothe and Cathie Sherrington – Awards 

Divya Sivaramakrishnan, Corey Linton, and Marina De Barros Pinheiro – Communication Officers 

Dr. Libby Richards is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at Purdue University, Indiana, USA. Her research explores individual and interpersonal influences of physical activity with a focus on exercise maintenance in older adults. 

Dr. Hattie Wright is an advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, senior lecturer and program coordinator of the Bachelor of Dietetics (Hon) program in the School of Health at the University of the Sunshine Coast Australia. Her research focuses on the role of diet and dietary behaviors in chronic disease management with a special interest in cancer survivorship.

Dr. Shilpa Dogra is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences (Kinesiology) at Ontario Tech University in Canada. Her research spans across several areas including: sedentary behaviour in older adults; active transportation and age-friendly, inclusive living environments; physiological responses to exercise and sedentarism; and sex and gender differences in health and health behaviour.

Dr. Trynke Hoekstra is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Science at VU Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Her research concerns healthy lifestyle promotion among people with mental or physical disabilities as well as broader healthy aging topics. She also enjoys working on global public health projects related to access to care, specifically in rural areas. Additionally, her more methodologically oriented research projects focus on the unraveling of (patient) heterogeneity across the life course.

Dr. Neha P. Gothe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, USA. Her research examines physical activity and yoga based interventions to promote health among middle aged and older adults.

Dr. Cathie Sherrington is a Professor and Senior Principal Research Fellow at the University of Sydney School of Public Health. Professor Sherrington’s research focuses on the promotion of physical activity and the prevention of falls in older people and people with chronic disabling conditions.

Dr. Divya Sivaramakrishnan is a Chancellor’s Fellow with the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health at the University of Edinburgh. Her research interests include development and evaluation of public health interventions, healthy ageing, and physical activity and sedentary behaviour across varied populations. She is also interested in qualitative methods.

Corey Linton is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian currently completing his PhD which focuses on the influence of dietary inflammation on musculoskeletal health in older adults. Corey has a keen interest in healthy ageing, dietary methodology and functional health.  

Dr. Marina De Barros Pinheiro is a senior lecturer and physiotherapist at the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney.  Her research focuses on investigating the cost-effectiveness of physical activity programs and implementing solutions to improve physical activity promotion by health professionals within routine care.