Welcome

Center for Kinanthropological Research was established in 1st of January 2005 at the Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky Univerzity in Olomouc. It focuses on research in the field of physical activity and inactivity in relation to lifestyle and health of Czech inhabitants. It is composed as an interdisciplinary workplace. At the same time it has coordinating and consultating function in the sphere of monitoring PA for central European countries.

At present CfKR is working on research grant from Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport: MSM 6198959221 „Physical activity and inactivity of the inhabitants of the Czech Republic in the context of behavioral changes.“

OLOMOUC IS PART OF INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH TEAM FOR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Aim of NIH grant is to obtain primary information on physical activity and the environment of the population of the Czech Republic (aged 20–65) using ActiGraph. We will investigate repeatedly (twice) objective data about weekly physical activity in selected inhabitants in regional towns using the ActiGraph accelerometer
within similar season (spring-autumn or autumn-spring). Further, we are to verify the possibility of conducting more profound analyses of the correlates of physical activity and the environment. As secondary aims are to establish knowledge basis for intervention programs with pedometers in lifestyle and behavior change. Results will be used to compare the level of physical activity and lifestyle in different environmental condition internationally. This study proposes to use comparable methods in at least 14 diverse countries to obtain accurate estimates of how strongly built environments are related to physical activity and weight, so policymakers have correct information to base decisions on.
Realization
To accurately assess the strength of association of the built environment with PA and weight status, greater environmental variability is required than any one country can provide. The International Physical activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) are led by investigators in the US, Australia and Belgium who has demonstrated common methods can be employed across countries. IPEN builds on completed studies in the US and Australia. Six countries were selected to collect new data based on the strength of investigators, preliminary studies, and in some cases, existing partial funding. For primary aims PA will be assessed by the validated long IPAQ survey, and built environment will be assessed by a validated built environment survey ANEWS in all countries (approx N=9981). Analyses
will examine how specific environmental attributes are rela ted to PA domains, leisure and transport. Most countries also will have objective measures: accelerometers for PA; Geographic Information System data for environmental attributes. Thus, subsets of countries will be used to achieve secondary aims (range of N's from 5552 to 8781). All countries will select neighborhoods that vary on walkability and recruit a minimum of 500 adults aged 20-65. Data will be entered via the web to a central server, and adherence to all protocols and data quality will be monitored. Analyses will account for multi-level data. Team members are experienced in all aspects and have conducted 3 international PA studies that show the feasibility of IPEN.

This grant is also supported by The Olomouc region.