QUARTER 2: April – June 2025| USC-PRC Notes

“Promoting Health through Physical Activity”

Topics in this issue

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

  • Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project
  • Update from the USC PRC Arthritis SIP

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • WHO Civil Society Working Group Calls for Action on NCDs
  • Exploring the Role of Physical Activity in Obesity Treatment, Body Weight Management, and Related Health Outcomes in Adults: A Workshop

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

  • July, August, September

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

  • Congress Reintroduces Game-Changing Bill to Lower Healthcare Costs Through Fitness

RESEARCH NOTES:

  • Impact of Exercise on Health Outcomes in People with Cancer: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses of Randomised Controlled Trials
  • App-Based Physical Activity Intervention Among Women With Prior Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorder A Randomized Clinical Trial
  • Effect of a 5-Year Exercise Intervention on Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Older Adults—The Generation 100 Study

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

Moving Towards a New Normal: The Social Climate of Physical Activity

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

  • 35 Schools Nationwide Join NFL PLAY 60 Day of Play to Support Youth Health and Well-being
  • Walk Across Texas Inspires Healthier Lifestyles Statewide
  • Free Fitness for Everyone in Pittsburg, TX

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

  • July, August, September, October, and November

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR:

Happy Summer!
I hope that you have all had a chance to take a deep breath and enjoy some moments of rest and relaxation (or have some planned). I continue to love the ebb and flow of working at a university – summer always feels less hectic (and more available parking is always a plus!) and is a time to recharge and refocus.
I had a unique opportunity in June. I traveled to Auckland, New Zealand for the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) conference, where I presented some of our findings from the core research project of our previous funding cycle. International conferences are fascinating – it’s great to meet new people, hear new ideas, and see differences and similarities in our work. The opening ceremony was especially powerful as representatives from the Māori people (the indigenous people of New Zealand) welcomed visitors to the country and conference using traditional ceremonial practices.
I also decided that if I was going to travel over 16 hours to get to New Zealand, I would take some time to see the country. All I can say is WOW! I visited the South Island (Queenstown, Mount Cook, and Christchurch) and the North Island (Rotorua and Auckland). What a stunningly beautiful country with welcoming and kind residents. I enjoyed many hikes and excursions to experience generally untouched nature.
As a physical activity researcher with an interest in topics related to race/ethnicity and culture, I was fascinated by what I learned about the Māori people. Māori culture and language are strongly present across the country, due in part to a revival and recognition of the need to preserve and promote this culture and language. I was particularly interested in their perspectives on humans and the natural environment. Similar to other indigenous peoples, the Māori people have a strong spiritual bond with the land, seeing a deep connection between humans, the land, and the natural world. They view themselves as guardians of the land and its resources. As a result, people are not viewed as superior to the natural environment, but rather as interconnected with it on a deep and spiritual level. I’ll let that sink in…it’s something that has stuck with me!
– Sara Wilcox

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

Updates from the USC PRC Core Research Project

Director of the USC PRC, Dr. Sara Wilcox, recently presented findings from the center’s previous research project, Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN), at the current International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity conference. Dr. Wilcox focused predictors of physical activity and healthy eating implementation outcomes, utilizing constructs from the widely recognized Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

The complete manuscript detailing these findings is now accessible in the journal Translational Behavioral Medicine.

Sara Wilcox, Ruth P. Saunders, Andrew T. Kaczynski, Caroline Rudisill, Ye Sil Kim, Jasmin Parker-Brown, Kelsey R. Day. Implementation outcomes and associated constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research among churches trained online to implement Faith, Activity, and Nutrition in a national implementation study, Translational Behavioral Medicine, Volume 15, Issue 1, 2025, ibaf015. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaf015

Updates from the USC PRC

The USC PRC has developed a new episode of the Physical Activity and Public Health podcast featuring Dr. Geoffrey Whitfield of the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This new episode, titled Active Transportation as a Social Determinant of Health Safety, dives into the current status of active transportation in the U.S., strategies, and how collaboration between public health stakeholders and transportation engineers can lead to safer and more accessible active-friendly environments.
This new episode can be found here.

Updates from the USC PRC Arthritis SIP 

The DREAM Study is investigating the effects of different weekly physical activity goals (e.g., 45/90/150 min/wk) and how they influence arthritis-related health outcomes. Research has shown that physical activity is beneficial for adults with arthritis, but there is little information on how much physical activity is needed to help manage the symptoms. To date, we have had 67 people express interest in the study, and 14 have been enrolled. If you have arthritis and are interested in signing up, and live in the Columbia, Sc area, you can contact us at dreamstudy@mailbox.sc.edu or 803-777-1889, or visit our website at www.dreamstudy.org.

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

WHO Civil Society Working Group Calls for Action on NCDs

On May 2, 2025, the WHO Civil Society Working Group on Noncommunicable Diseases (CSWG) presented its Consensus Statement at a major UN meeting in New York focused on NCDs and mental health. This marked a key milestone in the group’s ongoing global efforts to improve health outcomes for people living with these conditions. Made up of over 30 organizations, including the International Society for Physical Activity and Health and CSWG advocates for stronger community-based health systems, better data and accountability, fairer health financing, and greater involvement of those directly affected by NCDs and mental health challenges. Their work supports the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals by promoting inclusive, people-centered health solutions worldwide. You can access the Consensus Statement here.

[International Society for Physical Activity and Health]

Exploring the Role of Physical Activity in Obesity Treatment, Body Weight Management, and Related Health Outcomes in Adults: A Workshop

The National Academies will hold a session on July 29–30, 2025, where experts in the field will discuss physical activity’s role in obesity treatment, management, and other related health outcomes. The workshop will explore evidence-backed strategies that utilize physical activity in lifestyle interventions and in conjunction with other obesity treatments (including  medications and bariatric surgery). Other important topics will include discussion around systems, policies, and environments that support community physical activity and clinical implications. Visit the National Academies site for more details about the upcoming workshop.
[National Academies]

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

Congress Reintroduces Game-Changing Bill to Lower Healthcare Costs Through Fitness

On March 26, 2025, a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, aiming to make fitness more affordable and accessible for Americans. The bill would allow people to use pre-tax dollars from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to pay for fitness expenses like gym memberships, sports fees, and exercise equipment. With nearly 60% of Americans citing cost as a barrier to physical activity, the PHIT Act offers a cost-effective way to support preventive health and reduce chronic disease. Research shows it could save billions in healthcare costs, boost the economy, and create thousands of jobs. The bill has strong public and bipartisan support, offering a practical path toward healthier, more active communities. The full statement can be found here.

[Health & Fitness Association]

RESEARCH NOTES:

Impact of Exercise on Health Outcomes in People with Cancer: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses of Randomised Controlled Trials

A comprehensive review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that exercise is not just safe for people with cancer; it’s highly beneficial. Analyzing findings from 80 systematic articles, the study highlights that regular physical activity helps reduce side effects like fatigue, nerve pain, and cognitive issues during and after treatment. It also improves important health markers such as insulin levels, inflammation, and body composition, which are linked to cancer outcomes. Exercise enhances mental health by lowering anxiety and depression, supports better sleep and daily function, and improves overall quality of life. For patients undergoing surgery, being physically active beforehand may lower complication risks and shorten hospital stays. Ultimately, the authors found that engaging in strength training, aerobic activity, or gentle movement should be a key part of comprehensive cancer care.
[Bai X, Li Y, Feng Z, et al. Impact of exercise on health outcomes in people with cancer: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. British Journal of Sports Medicine Published Online First: 29 April 2025. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-109392]

App-Based Physical Activity Intervention Among Women With Prior Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

A new study examined a mobile app that aims to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in pregnant women with high blood pressure. Participants (N=619) were randomly put into one of three app-based intervention programs for eight weeks: a control version, an “action” version that helped users follow through with routines, and a “motivation” version that focused on setting goals and keeping track of progress. Post-intervention, there were follow-ups at nine weeks, three months, and twelve months. The research team found that during the intervention, moderate to vigorous exercise levels increased in all groups, but decreased immediately post-intervention at 9 weeks. Neither the action nor the motivation groups had any significant effects on the participants’ MVPA when compared to the control group. However, the action group did have a significant effect on the participants’ motivation and behavior. The study team speculates that participants’ high levels of MVPA at baseline and the app’s inability to convert motivation and willingness to act into automatic behaviors were key factors in the lack of significant changes in MVPA in the intervention groups. Overall, the app received favorable feedback from participants, indicating that fitness apps tailored to the needs of this demographic can lead to increased exercise, which in turn can improve women’s long-term health and provide insight for others creating similar fitness apps to increase MVPA.
[Kókai LL, Ó Ceallaigh D, Wijtzes AI, et al. App-Based Physical Activity Intervention Among Women With Prior Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(4):e252656. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.2656]

Effect of a 5-Year Exercise Intervention on Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Older Adults—The Generation 100 Study

A large 10-year study involving 1,405 older Norwegian adults compared two supervised exercise routines—high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT)—with a control group that followed standard national physical activity recommendations. All participants wore activity monitors to track their progress over five years and again at 10 years. After one year, all groups recorded a decrease in overall activity (about -9 to -10%), more daily sedentary time (about 163 minutes), and an increase in moderate activity (about 20 minutes per day). By the 10-year mark, all three groups maintained or slightly increased their moderate-to-vigorous activity levels. Overall, there were no major differences between the types of exercise or between supervised and unsupervised approaches; however, all interventions appeared to increase physical activity at the 5- and 10-year follow-ups, which may be linked to a reduction in adverse health outcomes commonly associated with age-related declines in fitness.
[Solberg, A., Aspvik, N. P., Lydersen, S., Midttun, S., Skarsem Reitlo, L., Steinshamn, S., Ingebrigtsen, J. E., Helbostad, J. L., Wisløff, U., & Stensvold, D. (2025). Effect of a 5-Year Exercise Intervention on Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Older Adults—The Generation 100 Study. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 22(6), 749-757. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0767]

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

Moving Towards a New Normal: The Social Climate of Physical Activity

ParticipACTION’s new report highlights how modifying societal norms can help make physical activity a regular part of daily life for Canadian citizens. By increasing visibility of active lifestyles, promoting group activities, and using supportive policies and messaging, communities can shift attitudes and behaviors around exercise. Although more Canadians now see physical activity as important, fewer see it happening around them. ParticipACTION believes that with the right social and environmental changes, Canada could see a 15% increase in activity levels by 2030.
[ParticipACTION]

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

35 Schools Nationwide Join NFL PLAY 60 Day of Play to Support Youth Health and Well-being

The American Heart Association collaborated with the National Football League (NFL) to encourage children to remain active and healthy through NFL PLAY 60 Day of Play.
As the 2024-2025 academic years closes, schools nationwide participated in group fitness activities. The main goal of the program is to ensure students engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity, learn about heart health, and develop lifelong healthy habits through an active learning experience. A total of 35 schools across the United States took part in the NFL PLAY 60 Day of Play initiative. Each school involved received resources to create an engaging day of physical activities. Schools in New Orleans, San Francisco, and Green Bay received $2,500 in additional funding to enhance their events. The program emphasizes the importance of developing healthy habits early in life, aiding children’s physical and mental growth, boosting self-esteem, and motivating the next generation to pursue healthier, longer lives as they transition into summer break.

[American Heart Association]

Walk Across Texas Inspires Healthier Lifestyles Statewide

Since 1996, people all over the state have been taking part in Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s “Walk Across Texas,” a free, team-based, eight-week exercise challenge. Teams “walk” across a virtual Texas and record miles from more than 50 different types of physical exercises. The game is open to people of all ages and skill levels. A&M AgriLife Extension’s free “Walk Across Texas” program encouraged almost 45,000 people from 162 counties to be more active in 2024 alone. The program tracks people’s activity as if they were walking across the state to encourage people of all ages to be more active. Participants who took part in the program said that the changes they made persisted for months after the program ended. It has the potential to help save millions of dollars in future healthcare costs by helping participants prevent and manage chronic illnesses. This success highlights the importance of community engagement in promoting healthier lifestyles and demonstrates the potential for similar initiatives to foster long-term wellness.

[AgriLife]

Free Fitness for Everyone in Pittsburg, TX

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and the National Fitness Campaign joined in funding a new outdoor fitness court for residents of Pittsburg, TX. The free facility will provide residents with a convenient place to work out, minimizing the financial costs of gym memberships or equipment and removing common barriers like travel time. The fitness court offers workout stations suitable for all fitness levels and provides an easy-to-use, comprehensive 30-minute workout using bodyweight exercises. This joint effort is only one of the many similar fitness courts being built in communities throughout Texas to promote accessible community health and wellness.

[BlueCross BlueShield Texas]

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

November

Writers: Jasmin Parker-Brown and Samiya Huda Antora

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The USC Prevention Research Center is a member of the CDC Prevention Research Center’s National Network, consisting of 33 Centers in the U.S. For more information about the PRC National Network, visit http://www.cdc.gov/prc.

This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48DP006401 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.

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