INDEEP takes research in physical activity further

On 11 February, Lusófona University - Porto University Centre hosted the public presentation session of the project INtervention on the DEterminants of, and Expertise in, Physical Activity Behaviours (INDEEP), funded by Horizon Europe. The event included contributions from Eduardo Teixeira, Director of the Master’s in Exercise and Health; from António Palmeira, Director of the Research Centre in Exercise, Health and Physical Education (CIDEFES); and from Marlene Silva, the latter lecturers from ULusófona - Lisbon University Centre.

Professor Eduardo Teixeira underlined the landmark nature of the occasion, describing it as “a historic event” for the Porto University Centre. As he highlighted, it was the first time that the Director of CIDEFES had been present at the institution, representing a significant step in “strengthening the connection between the Porto University Centre and the Lisbon University Centre”. According to the lecturer, the implementation of INDEEP will help consolidate this collaboration and open up new opportunities for joint work between the two units.

The Professor also emphasised the project’s national scope, noting that INDEEP ensures “cross-cutting coverage across the whole country”, enabling the involvement of lecturers and students from different regions and promoting the dissemination of good practice in the field of physical activity and health promotion.

The INDEEP Project consists of a research and advanced training network aimed at preparing a new generation of researchers in interdisciplinary activities related to physical activity and health promotion. Participants will develop skills in innovative research, deepening their understanding of the determinants of Physical Activity and creating evidence-based interventions at population level.

It addresses the need for a multidisciplinary approach to tackle the challenges of promoting physical activity among young people throughout the life course, fostering the integration of behavioural determinants, behaviour change theory and the co-creation of interventions.

Furthermore, INDEEP promotes international collaboration between different sectors linked to physical activity and health, seeking to bridge the shortage of harmonised European data in this field. The main aim of the session was to present the project to the academic community and local partners, reinforcing the importance of international and interdisciplinary cooperation in research on physical activity and health promotion.

View the Event Photographs on ULusófona’s Facebook

Text
Bruna Pereira

Image
Lara Sousa

Video (editing)
Paulo Renato