#11 - Back to the Future for Physical Activity with Professor Jim McKenna

On today’s show I am joined by Prof Jim McKenna. Jim is Professor of Physical Activity and Health in Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University. He is the Director of the Active Lifestyles Research Centre and is recognised as an expert in behaviour change. He recently evaluated the Premier League Health for young men initiative, run through the Football Premier League in England. This work emphasised the promotion of healthy lifestyles, especially physical activity, capitalising on the unique drawing power of major football clubs. He is also heavily involved in evaluating a staged recovery intervention, targeted at wounded, injured and sick service personnel, based around adapted Sport and Adventure Education. In an exciting new development, activated by COVID, an on-line version of this programme has now been run three times.

Jim has over 30 years of experience in Higher Education during which he has worked in roles focused on sports delivery, coach education, academic teaching, and research leadership. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers in a variety of areas and his current work relates to delivering funded research projects and supporting both Ph.D. students and academic staff to achieve their aspirations. He has won many awards for teaching and research excellence and has also coached at elite level in sport, working at both Gloucester and Bristol Rugby Union clubs.

On today’s episode Jim discusses his coaching background and influences, his sporting and academic journey, why people respond differently to physical activity, how changes in our behaviour impacts on physical activity, what future he foresees for physical activity, his biggest challenge as a coach, coaching tips of the trade and much more. We hope you enjoy the episode.