This week, we take a look at newly-published research on physical activity in various settings, and throughout the lifecycle:

Relationship between frequency and intensity of physical activity and health behaviors of adolescents (Source:  PubMed/Journal of School Health)  Researchers examined the relationship between physical activity intensity and a wide range of other health behaviors (e.g. drug use) among adolescents.

Dance-Based Therapy in a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly: An Integrative Approach to Decrease Fall Risk (Source:  PubMed/Nursing Administration Quarterly)  Researchers propose that dance therapy demonstrates positive effects on balance and gait among the elderly.

Effects of the built environment on physical activity of adults living in rural settings  (Source:  PubMed/American Journal of Health Promotion)  Researchers outline the need to differentiate between environmental recommendations for physical activity promotion in rural vs. urban settings.

This week, we present research and programmatic approaches to understanding and improving children’s social interactions through physical activity:

Forget Goofing Around: Recess Has a New Boss (Source:  New York Times) Urban schools are instituting organized, mandatory physical activity during recess. 

Research shows link between physical activity and social skills in children (Source:  University of Michigan Health System) Research presented to the American College of Cardiology suggests a link between social skills and physical activity in children.

How can programs maximize both physical activity benefit and social development?  Share your thoughts!

This week, we share abstracts for a few soon-to-be-published (March 2010) studies on physical activity during various life stages:

• Social-Cognitive Correlates of Physical Activity in a Multi-Ethnic Cohort of Middle-School Girls: Two-year Prospective Study  (Source:  Journal of Pediatric Psychology)  Outcomes from the nationwide Trials of Activity for Adolescent Girls study.

• National trends in self-reported physical activity and sedentary behaviors among pregnant women: NHANES 1999-2006 (Source:  Preventive Medicine)  Researchers in North Carolina analyzed national physical activity trends among women during pregnancy.

• Interventions to achieve long-term weight loss in obese older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Source:  Age and Aging)  Researchers analyzed seven studies of older adults to ascertain characteristics of successful weight loss interventions.

Do you have recommendations for future research directions?  How should physical activity research resources be allocated?