Michael Owen
Biographic Data
| ID | 5552719 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Michael Owen |
| GIVEN NAMES | Michael |
| FAMILY NAME | Owen |
| SIGNATURE | OWEN M |
| AFFILIATIONS | Edge Hill University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-7960-2404 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 2 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 17 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1994 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Experiences of beginner runners on a modified Couch-to-5k programme
Despite widespread recognition of the importance of physical activity in reducing the risk of chronic disease and high level of awareness and engagement with the Couch-to-5k programme, adherence to beginner running programmes remains low. Little is known about the experiences of ‘completers’ and effective approaches to improve and sustain engagement. This study explores the experiences of individuals completing a modified Couch-to-5k running prog…
I climbed a mountain! I can do it!’ Outdoor adventure for female youth resilience
Research suggests that female youth could benefit from outdoor adventure activity (OAA) interventions designed to support their resilience. This paper explores the perceptions of eight youth (between 18 and 20-years-old) who identified as female and participated in a co-designed OAA intervention to promote resilience. The intervention consisted of five weekly sessions in an all-female group. Session activities selected by participants included ma…
Outside Looking in
A gay identity offers a perspective outside heteronormative narratives characterized by exclusion as well as a radical position of difference. Being a psychotherapist, too, holds complex implications for identity. This paper explores the lived experience of gay male psychotherapists, a group whose voice is seldom heard. Based on interviews with six White South African gay male psychotherapists, a narrative analysis explores their experience of id…
How can UK public health initiatives support each other to improve the maintenance of physical activity? Evidence from a cross-sectional survey of runners who move from Couch-to-5k to parkrun
Physical activity improves physical and mental well-being and reduces mortality risk. However, only a quarter of adults globally meet recommended physical activity levels for health. Two common initiatives in the UK are Couch-to-5k (an app-assisted 9-week walk/run programme) and parkrun (a free, weekly, timed 5-km walk/run). It is not known how these initiatives are linked, how Couch-to-5k parkrunners compare to parkrunners, and the extent to whi…
Couch-to-5k or Couch to Ouch to Couch!?” Who Takes Part in Beginner Runner Programmes in the UK and Is Non-Completion Linked to Musculoskeletal Injury
Physical activity has mental and physical health benefits; however, globally, three-quarters of the population do not meet physical activity guidelines. The Couch-to-5k is a beginner runner programme aimed at increasing physical activity. However, this programme lacks an evidence base, and it is unclear who is attracted to the programme; running also has a high rate of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. The aims of this study were to identify the ch…
The Physical Behaviour Intensity Spectrum and Body Mass Index in School-Aged Youth
We examined the compositional associations between the intensity spectrum derived from incremental acceleration intensity bands and the body mass index (BMI) z-score in youth, and investigated the estimated differences in BMI z-score following time reallocations between intensity bands. School-aged youth from 63 schools wore wrist accelerometers, and data of 1453 participants (57.5% girls) were analysed. Nine acceleration intensity bands (range: …
A systematic review exploring body image programmes and interventions in physical education
Body image has implications for child and adolescent well-being. Schools have been positioned as a suitable site to provide body image education and support the development of body image; however, little is known about the role of physical education in body image education. The aim of this study was to systematically review the evidence on the content and effectiveness of physical education-based body image or body-focused programmes published be…
Challenges to school-based physical activity data collection
Background: Schools are ideal environments in which to conduct child and adolescent physical activity (PA) research. Despite this, PA-specific practical guidance for school-based research is lacking, which may present unique challenges to researchers. Based on reflections from our own experiences, this paper seeks to provide practical guidance on how best to approach school-based PA data collection. Discussion: This paper focuses on the practical…
The Feasibility of a Novel School Peer-Led Mentoring Model to Improve the Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Time of Adolescent Girls
Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous physical and psychological health benefits. Adolescents, specifically girls, are at risk of physical inactivity. To date, there is limited research on PA interventions involving peers, which could encourage more adolescent girls to engage in PA. The investigation aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a novel school three-tier peer-led mentoring model designed to improve PA levels and reduc…
The Feasibility and Acceptability of The Girls Peer Activity (G-Pact) Peer-led Mentoring Intervention
Enjoyment of physical activity (PA) is positively correlated with PA engagement. The inclusion of peers has been found to increase the likelihood of PA enjoyment in youth. Peer-led strategies, incorporating peer networks in the intervention delivery, is relatively underused and consequently understudied in school-based PA interventions. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the novel Girls Peer Act…
Evaluation of a Pilot School-Based Physical Activity Clustered Randomised Controlled Trial—Active Schools
Schools are key environments in which physical activity (PA) can be promoted. Various strategies and opportunities should be used to engage children in PA within schools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the multi-component Active Schools: Skelmersdale (AS:Sk) pilot intervention on children's PA and sedentary time (ST). The AS:Sk intervention was implemented for eight weeks in four schools with three control schools cont…
Process evaluation of a pilot multi-component physical activity intervention – active schools
This study revealed that teachers believed classroom based activities were most feasible and acceptable due to the reduced implementation barriers of sufficient time and space. In contrast, children reported that the activities outside of the classroom were preferred. Future school-based PA interventions should aim to achieve a balance between routine PA at a set time and PA that is flexible and adaptable. Further process evaluations of multi-com…
Systematic review of the evidence base for treatment of common mental disorders in South Africa
The scarcity of mental health resources in low- and middle-income countries requires the identification of effective interventions that can be taken to scale in a cost-efficient manner. Yet the evidence base for treatment of common mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. As one of the better resourced countries on the African continent, South Africa could potentially play a leading role in developing an African evide…
A non-equivalent group pilot trial of a school-based physical activity and fitness intervention for 10–11 year old english children
The BTM pilot programme has potential to positively impact on physical activity, fitness, and psychosocial outcomes. Further, BTM was enjoyed by the children, and valued by the teachers. This study can inform the design of a modified larger-scale cluster RCT evaluation
Conflict and Convergence
To Be a Pilgrim
From Slavery to Freedom
To Be a Pilgrim
From Slavery to Freedom
Conflict and Convergence
A non-equivalent group pilot trial of a school-based physical activity and fitness intervention for 10–11 year old english children
The BTM pilot programme has potential to positively impact on physical activity, fitness, and psychosocial outcomes. Further, BTM was enjoyed by the children, and valued by the teachers. This study can inform the design of a modified larger-scale cluster RCT evaluation
Systematic review of the evidence base for treatment of common mental disorders in South Africa
The scarcity of mental health resources in low- and middle-income countries requires the identification of effective interventions that can be taken to scale in a cost-efficient manner. Yet the evidence base for treatment of common mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. As one of the better resourced countries on the African continent, South Africa could potentially play a leading role in developing an African evide…
The Feasibility of a Novel School Peer-Led Mentoring Model to Improve the Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Time of Adolescent Girls
Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous physical and psychological health benefits. Adolescents, specifically girls, are at risk of physical inactivity. To date, there is limited research on PA interventions involving peers, which could encourage more adolescent girls to engage in PA. The investigation aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a novel school three-tier peer-led mentoring model designed to improve PA levels and reduc…
The Feasibility and Acceptability of The Girls Peer Activity (G-Pact) Peer-led Mentoring Intervention
Enjoyment of physical activity (PA) is positively correlated with PA engagement. The inclusion of peers has been found to increase the likelihood of PA enjoyment in youth. Peer-led strategies, incorporating peer networks in the intervention delivery, is relatively underused and consequently understudied in school-based PA interventions. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the novel Girls Peer Act…
Evaluation of a Pilot School-Based Physical Activity Clustered Randomised Controlled Trial—Active Schools
Schools are key environments in which physical activity (PA) can be promoted. Various strategies and opportunities should be used to engage children in PA within schools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the multi-component Active Schools: Skelmersdale (AS:Sk) pilot intervention on children's PA and sedentary time (ST). The AS:Sk intervention was implemented for eight weeks in four schools with three control schools cont…
Process evaluation of a pilot multi-component physical activity intervention – active schools
This study revealed that teachers believed classroom based activities were most feasible and acceptable due to the reduced implementation barriers of sufficient time and space. In contrast, children reported that the activities outside of the classroom were preferred. Future school-based PA interventions should aim to achieve a balance between routine PA at a set time and PA that is flexible and adaptable. Further process evaluations of multi-com…
Challenges to school-based physical activity data collection
Background: Schools are ideal environments in which to conduct child and adolescent physical activity (PA) research. Despite this, PA-specific practical guidance for school-based research is lacking, which may present unique challenges to researchers. Based on reflections from our own experiences, this paper seeks to provide practical guidance on how best to approach school-based PA data collection. Discussion: This paper focuses on the practical…
The Physical Behaviour Intensity Spectrum and Body Mass Index in School-Aged Youth
We examined the compositional associations between the intensity spectrum derived from incremental acceleration intensity bands and the body mass index (BMI) z-score in youth, and investigated the estimated differences in BMI z-score following time reallocations between intensity bands. School-aged youth from 63 schools wore wrist accelerometers, and data of 1453 participants (57.5% girls) were analysed. Nine acceleration intensity bands (range: …
A systematic review exploring body image programmes and interventions in physical education
Body image has implications for child and adolescent well-being. Schools have been positioned as a suitable site to provide body image education and support the development of body image; however, little is known about the role of physical education in body image education. The aim of this study was to systematically review the evidence on the content and effectiveness of physical education-based body image or body-focused programmes published be…
How can UK public health initiatives support each other to improve the maintenance of physical activity? Evidence from a cross-sectional survey of runners who move from Couch-to-5k to parkrun
Physical activity improves physical and mental well-being and reduces mortality risk. However, only a quarter of adults globally meet recommended physical activity levels for health. Two common initiatives in the UK are Couch-to-5k (an app-assisted 9-week walk/run programme) and parkrun (a free, weekly, timed 5-km walk/run). It is not known how these initiatives are linked, how Couch-to-5k parkrunners compare to parkrunners, and the extent to whi…
Couch-to-5k or Couch to Ouch to Couch!?” Who Takes Part in Beginner Runner Programmes in the UK and Is Non-Completion Linked to Musculoskeletal Injury
Physical activity has mental and physical health benefits; however, globally, three-quarters of the population do not meet physical activity guidelines. The Couch-to-5k is a beginner runner programme aimed at increasing physical activity. However, this programme lacks an evidence base, and it is unclear who is attracted to the programme; running also has a high rate of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. The aims of this study were to identify the ch…
Outside Looking in
A gay identity offers a perspective outside heteronormative narratives characterized by exclusion as well as a radical position of difference. Being a psychotherapist, too, holds complex implications for identity. This paper explores the lived experience of gay male psychotherapists, a group whose voice is seldom heard. Based on interviews with six White South African gay male psychotherapists, a narrative analysis explores their experience of id…
I climbed a mountain! I can do it!’ Outdoor adventure for female youth resilience
Research suggests that female youth could benefit from outdoor adventure activity (OAA) interventions designed to support their resilience. This paper explores the perceptions of eight youth (between 18 and 20-years-old) who identified as female and participated in a co-designed OAA intervention to promote resilience. The intervention consisted of five weekly sessions in an all-female group. Session activities selected by participants included ma…
Experiences of beginner runners on a modified Couch-to-5k programme
Despite widespread recognition of the importance of physical activity in reducing the risk of chronic disease and high level of awareness and engagement with the Couch-to-5k programme, adherence to beginner running programmes remains low. Little is known about the experiences of ‘completers’ and effective approaches to improve and sustain engagement. This study explores the experiences of individuals completing a modified Couch-to-5k running prog…
Medicine (10 works) · Psychology (9 works) · Physical Activity and Health (8 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (7 works) · Physical activity (7 works) · Physical therapy (7 works) · Children's Physical and Motor Development (6 works) · Intervention (counseling (6 works) · Nursing (5 works) · Psychological intervention (5 works)