Intervention on the Determinants of Physical Activity Behaviors

The project brings together international experts to study the factors that influence physical activity and to improve health promotion policies.

Lusófona University is part of the INDEEP Project, funded by the highly competitive Marie Curie Doctoral Networks program—a milestone that, according to professors Marlene Silva and António Palmeira, represents “the Champions League of European funding.” The project brings together partners from various European countries and aims to study, in an unprecedented and standardized way, the multiple determinants of physical activity among young people, including genetic, environmental, and political factors.

Throughout the study, 300 families will be assessed using a harmonized methodology that will allow for the comparison of results across different contexts. Marlene Silva and António Palmeira emphasize that this standardization is essential to overcome the lack of consistency among previous studies and to create a toolbox that supports future research and more effective public policies.

The INDEEP Project also includes the training of 10 international doctoral students, who will rotate through several leading universities, contributing to a new generation of highly skilled researchers. Data collection is expected to begin next year, following the completion of ethical and operational procedures.

According to the professors, INDEEP will leave behind a robust scientific infrastructure capable of strengthening investment in prevention and improving policies to promote physical activity, which are fundamental to public health throughout the life course.