The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs, research, and policies that impact physical activity and sedentary behavior in communities, worksites, schools, and other important settings.  Both academics/researchers and practitioners in a variety of disciplines continue to contribute meaningfully to the field of physical activity through their focus on diverse populations and settings.

We welcome submissions related to all areas of physical activity and public health; however, abstracts with outcomes and results are preferred and topics of particular interest for 2017 are listed below.

• Advances in science and methodology in physical activity research
  
• Built environment and active transport research to improve physical activity or reduce sedentary behavior
  
• Factors contributing to maintenance of physical activity
  
• Physical activity research and interventions in at-risk populations (ex: youth, disabled and aging populations; international populations; medically complex populations)
  
• Progress toward national goals surrounding physical activity participation, reduction of sedentary behavior, and development of activity-supporting communities
  
• Reducing Health Disparities Through Community-based Physical Activity Interventions
  Offered as a collaborative session with the Public Health Education and Health Promotion (PHEHP) section.  

  Increasing physical activity has significant health benefits. Collaborating with communities and community-based agencies and organizations are ideal settings to develop and deliver population-based physical activity interventions. Public health experts encourage the application of ecological models and a population approach to enhance program reach, support program sustainability, improve health outcomes, and reduce health disparities. Community-based physical activity programs that incorporate more than one level of influence are more likely to be effective in reducing health disparities. Abstracts that report impact and outcome evaluation results of community-based physical activity interventions for vulnerable populations and/or highlight the theme of the 2017 meeting “Creating the Healthiest Nation” will be given priority.

  
  
• The relationship of physical activity with climate change and related outcomes
  

Abstract Format:

Abstracts should be no less than 200 words and no more than 250 words. Please include in your submission the type of presentation preferred (oral or poster) as well as three measurable learning outcomes. Please include the following elements in each abstract:

1) Introduction or Background: Study objectives, hypothesis, or a description of the problem;

2) Methods: Study design, including a description of participants, procedures, measures, and appropriate analyses (for both quantitative and qualitative research);

3) Results: Specific results in summary form; and

4) Conclusion/Discussion: Description of the main outcome of the study and importance/significance of the work.

Submission and Review:

All Abstracts must be submitted electronically using the APHA Meeting website by the date published on the APHA website for the Physical Activity Section. Late, faxed, and email submissions cannot be accepted. APHA will send email notices of acceptance to abstract authors in early June 2017. All Abstracts are subject to masked peer review by at least three reviewers. Please remove any references to a specific institution in the body of the abstract to permit masked review and ensure fairness. By submitting an abstract proposal, the author(s) agree that, if accepted, the paper will be presented as scheduled.

APHA Physical Activity Section 2017 Student Presentation Award

An award will be given for the most outstanding student oral and poster presentations that are related to at least one of the PA Section topics of interest in the Call for Abstracts.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Student member (undergraduate, masters, doctoral) of the APHA Physical Activity Section at the time of submission.

2. Student should be the first author on the abstract.

3. Abstract should be based on independent research of the student. The awards committee will select up to three nominees for each for the oral and poster presentation award. A panel of PA Section Leadership Team members will attend the poster sessions to judge those students.

The presentations will be rated on a set of criteria including: Presentation style, content, quality of contribution to the literature/impact, quality of data and methodology. The nominees will be recognized at the PA Section social event at the annual meeting. The award winners will be announced online at the end of the conference.

All student submissions will be considered for these awards. No separate submission is necessary.

APHA Physical Activity Section 2017 Steven P. Hooker Research Award

An award will be given for the most outstanding research abstract that is related to at least one of the PA Section topics of interest in the Call for Abstracts.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Member (Regular, Student, Early Career Professional, Retired, Special Health Worker) of the APHA Physical Activity Section

2. Applicant should be the first author on the abstract.

The awards committee will rate the abstracts on a set of criteria including: content, quality of contribution to the literature/impact, quality of data and methodology. The award winner will be announced prior to the annual meeting and recognized at the PA Section social event at the annual meeting.

All submissions to the PA section will be considered and will be based upon both abstract scores and the above noted judging criteria.

Continuing Education Credit

APHA values the ability to provide continuing education credit to physicians, nurses, health educators, and those certified in public health at its annual meeting. Please complete all required information when submitting an abstract so members can claim credit for attending your session. These credits are necessary for members to keep their licenses and credentials.

For a session to be eligible for Continuing Education Credit, each presenter, panelist, discussant, and/or faculty must provide:

1) an abstract free of trade and/or commercial product names;

2)  At least one measurable learning outcome, which must include one of the following action words: explain, demonstrate, analyze, formulate, discuss, compare, differentiate, describe, name, assess, evaluate, identify, design, define, or list. Note: ‘to understand’ or ‘to learn’ are not measurable objectives.

3) A signed Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form with a relevant qualification statement; Example of Acceptable  Biographical Qualification Statement: (I have been the principal or co-principal of multiple federally funded grants focusing on the epidemiology of drug abuse, HIV prevention and co-occurring mental and drug use disorders. Among my scientific interests has been the development of strategies for preventing HIV and STDs in out-of-treatment drug users.)

4) All continuing education learning content must be of sound science or professional practice and serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills and professional competence of the health professional.  Learning content should be evidence-based if available. A list of over 30 areas will be provided online for you to choose from. You will be asked to choose at least one or up to 6 areas that your presentation will address.

Thank you for your assistance in making your session credit worthy. Contact Annette Ferebee at annette.ferebee@apha.org if you have any questions concerning continuing education. For program questions, contact the program planner below.

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Ready?

Program Planner Contact Information:

Clare Lenhart, PhD, MPHPA
clenhart1@esu.edu