A research study at Mary Immaculate College, entitled Sole Mates, aims to increase the physical activity levels of teenage girls and their mothers through an innovative group-based walking programme.
The unique programme, led by Dr Elaine Murtagh, lecturer in Physical Education, MIC, is scheduled to start in January 2018 and will be facilitated by a research team with experience and expertise in physical activity.
The six-week programme will involve a weekly 90-minute session at Mary Immaculate College and will include practical walking sessions and education on physical activity, fun walking activities (e.g. a colour walk) and much more!!
According to Dr Murtagh females the world over tend not to undertake adequate physical activity, despite the many health benefits such as physical, mental, social and academic.
“This programme is based on formative research we conducted with teenage girls and mothers. We held focus groups in schools to ask teenage girls what would help them engage in a physical activity programme. We also interviewed mothers of adolescent girls to find out what they need to adopt an active lifestyle and support their children to be physically active also. As a result, we have designed a six-week walking programme that will include group-based education sessions at MIC.”
The programme was developed in collaboration with researchers at the University of Newcastle, Australia and the University of Northern Colorado, USA. The project is supported by Get Ireland Walking.
If you wish to take part in the programme you can sign up now here.
Further information available on 061-204569, solemates.mic@gmail.com or by clicking here.
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