No images? Click here Your weekly physical activity bulletin16 April 2024 We are working towards improving the health and wellbeing of the nation through sport, exercise and physical activity. For more information on our work visit our website or follow us on X @NCSEM_PAnews Loughborough University secures ‘best university in the world for sports-related subjects’ title for eighth consecutive yearLoughborough University has been crowned the best university in the world for sports-related subjects for the eighth year running by the global QS higher education league table. The QS ranking is based on surveying academic staff that declare a speciality in the subject area, and employers who recruit graduates that specialise in the discipline. It also takes into account research output and impact, with both citations and paper output measured over a five-year period. Sports-related research has always been at the heart of Loughborough and is a key part of the University’s strategy. The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Sports Technology Institute and Institute for Sport Business are all renowned for the fundamental and applied research they undertake in this field. This marks the eighth year in a row that Loughborough has secured the best in the world title, being the recipient ever since it was launched by QS in 2017. How your vision can predict dementia 12 years before it is diagnosed – new studyThe eyes can reveal a lot about the health of our brain. Indeed, problems with the eyes can be one of the earliest signs of cognitive decline. Loughborough University’s latest study shows that a loss of visual sensitivity can predict dementia 12 years before it is diagnosed. The research was based on 8,623 healthy people in Norfolk, England, who were followed up for many years. By the end of the study, 537 participants had developed dementia, so it was possible to see what factors might have preceded this diagnosis. At the start of the study, participants were asked to take a visual sensitivity test. For the test, they had to press a button as soon as they saw a triangle forming in a field of moving dots. People who would develop dementia were much slower to see this triangle on the screen than people who would remain without dementia. Loughborough University developing breath test to predict health in older peopleNew research at Loughborough University aims to develop a breath test to predict when health and physical function is at risk of declining in older people. The study, which welcomes participants aged 18 to 90, will involve simple measurements including breathing into a mouthpiece, as well as the collection of blood, saliva, and urine samples. Researchers from the University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering will look for signs of frailty – the condition where multiple bodily systems decline in older people. Frailty poses significant health risks for individuals, making them more susceptible to illness and injury. Physical activity sector bodies unite to drive industry standardsA shared mission to enhance industry standards has been announced as part of a landmark collaboration between the physical activity sector’s leading bodies. As part of the development of The Active Standard (TAS), which is set to launch later this year, ukactive has been engaging with partners Sport England and Right Directions, and The Royal Netherlands Standardisation Institute (NEN) and EuropeActive. Together, the partners have committed to support the alignment of The Active Standard with the sector’s existing standards schemes, so that more organisations across the UK are encouraged to begin or progress their continuous improvement journey. National School Sports Week is back for 2024Youth Sport Trust are launching National School Sports Week 2024, dedicated to the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of children and young people through 60 minutes a day of PE, Sport, and Play. Since its inception in 2008, National School Sports Week has been the heartbeat of promoting PE, physical activity, and school sports, helping to nurture young talents to reach their full potential. This year's theme, powered by Monster Kickabout, introduces a special Euro 2024 event, merging your favourite sports with academic subjects to engage young minds in active learning. The weekly physical activity bulletin in a summary of news stories that appear across the physical activity sector. The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine is not responsible for the content of external sites. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive it either via the SSEHS Active website or the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (East Midlands) website. Read our privacy policy. |