Two well-respected experts on physical activity and health promotion will be in Rockhampton this Friday (21 February) to share current research on policies and factors that shape physical activity.

Interested members of the general public, regional health and physical fitness professionals are invited to join the discussion at the Base Hospital, District Conference Room, Level 1, A Block (new building) from 10Am to 11AM.

“Influencing people to be more physically active is a major challenge for professionals in health, sport recreation, urban planning, and transportation,” explained Emma Larsen, and officer with Rockhampton’s 10000 Steps program.

Dr Jim Sallis, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University will make a joint presentation with Professor Neville Owen, the Director of the Centre for Health Promotion and Cancer research at the University of Queensland.

Dr Sallis, formerly a post-doctoral fellow at the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, is concerned with applying behavioral science to physical activity promotion. He also studies nutrition and smoking. His current research focuses on policies and physical environments that shape physical activity. He is internationally known for his work in creating, implementing, and evaluating effective physical activity and nutrition programs.

Professor Owen is one of the world’s expert leaders in health-related physical activity.

10,000 Steps Rockhampton is a community-wide project to encourage regular physical activity in everyone's lives. The project is funded for two years by Queensland Health as part of its Health Promoting Queensland strategy.