David Stalker, CEO of ukactive, outlines the work that lies ahead for the health and fitness sector in 2015

Now that the inactivity agenda is firmly on the radar, it’s time to roll up our sleeves. These are exciting times, but there’s still so much more to be done in 2015.

The pressure is on
Local authorities have made a small step forward by doubling their investment from public health grants into physical activity – both in terms of actual cash and in proportion to their other areas of expenditure. However, with increased investment comes increased expectation that this investment will make a difference. All eyes will be on our sector to see if we’re able step up to the plate and improve health and wellbeing in a measurable way.

I’m confident we can take the next step in raising our game, evidencing our practice and living up to our potential as a key part of the emerging national wellness service that local authorities are creating. We look forward to partnering with you.

Linking in with public health
The physical activity sector has become intrinsically linked with the public health agenda in a way it never has before. We’ll continue that momentum when we host the second round of the Moving More, Living More forums across the UK in the next few weeks. We’ve been working with our partners including Public Health England to build an agenda that moves the conversation on, endeavouring to answer tough questions about the next step in the battle to overturn the UK’s growing inactivity epidemic.

 This year’s forums will themselves be much more physically active – look out for the Living Streets journey tracker, which will enable delegates to log and share how active their travel is on the day. In addition, local PHE executives will be leading local walks for delegates during lunchtime on the day and there will be an option of a healthy takeaway lunch and standing desk stations to keep attendees alert and mindful of what we’re all trying to achieve.

How do we evidence what we do?
One thing we’ve always been clear about at ukactive is the need to establish and promote the evidence base for exercise as a treatment pathway. We’re metaphorically drowning in laboratory evidence that sport and exercise can be used as medicine, but the real world evidence of its effectiveness is conspicuously absent.

 I’m proud to announce that the ukactive Research Institute has had an article accepted for publication in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Our paper – Death by effectiveness: Exercise as medicine caught in the efficacy trap! – argues that, if sport and exercise medicine is to fulfil its promise and maintain its status as a contender in public health delivery, it needs to refocus its efforts away from laboratory efficacy studies and towards demonstrating effectiveness in real life settings like gyms and leisure centres. You can read the paper in full by visiting the ukactive website.

Fit for purpose
Workforce development has always been a priority focus for ukactive. After a very successful Active Training Awards and seminar last November, we’re now looking to consolidate our work in the area of workforce development. In the coming months, we plan to host a conference for training providers, awarding organisations and the higher education sector on training and development. The event will be in partnership with CIMSPA and we look forward to seeing many of you there.

 In a General Election year, our sector will be under a stronger spotlight than ever before. Let’s make sure we shine.