Associate ProfessorMats Hallgren

Mats leads a program of research examining links between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and mental health. His completed projects include: (1) the first community-based RCT of exercise as stand-alone treatment for alcohol use disorder (FitForChange); (2) a dual site (Sweden-India) RCT of yoga-based exercise to promote wellbeing in physically inactive older adults (FitForAge); and (3) the largest international trial of exercise for depression (Br J Psychiatry 2015/16). He is the principal investigator of an ongoing RCT of physical activity for adults with post COVID-19 condition. In addition to this experimental work, Mats has led a series of large-scale observational studies examining the nuanced relationships between sedentary behaviour and depression in adults and adolescents. This work is presented in a leading sports science journal (Ex Sport Sci Reviews, 2020). His current research focuses on how sedentary screen use (i.e., social media, gaming, etc.) impacts brain activity, mental health, and physical activity levels in young people.