Description
The project aims to strengthen bilateral relations between higher education institutions in Norway and Latvia providing study programs in sport science and health care disciplines. The project activity outcome will be development and implementation of innovative study module on health and social indicators in inclusive physical activities at the Latvian Academy of Sport Education. The project also will complement resources of the Norwegian school of sport science (NSSS) regarding study programs on socio-cultural aspects of teaching physical education in inclusive environment. The innovative interdisciplinary assessment model will be developed based on theoretical framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) containing 3 domains of human function: body functions and structures, activities, and participation. The set of qualitative and quantitative indicators of physical activity participation will be developed to identify areas in which interventions should be implemented to promote the daily physical activity and participation of persons in risk of secondary health problems relating to disability. Also, project will introduce innovative technology applications used in rehabilitation system today. The project outcomes will contribute implementing evidence based research into practice and the use of innovative technologies in physiotherapy and physical activity programs at the LASE and NSSS. Students and academic personnel will improve professional knowledge, skills and competencies on movement analyses and functional improvement. Overall, it will improve quality of the study process and ensure long-term sustainability of academic as well as scientific personnel at partner institutions. The new agreement on scientific and academic collaboration in sport science and health care will be developed and signed between partners as part of this project.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to strengthen bilateral relations between higher education institutions in Norway and Latvia providing study programs in sport science and health care disciplines. The project activity outcome - development and implementation of innovative study module on health and social indicators in inclusive physical activities at the Latvian Academy of Sport Education. This project had direct synergy with the research project "Health and Social Indicators of Participation in Physical Activities for Children with Disabilities" (Nr. NFI/R/2014/070) coordinated by the LASE. In total six academic mobility visits and 3 student mobilities were implemented. Strengthened research capacity in the Beneficiary States and increased application of research results through research cooperation between Norway and the Beneficiary States. Nine peer reviewed international publications, were produced as outcomes of the synergy research project “Health and Social Indicators of Participation in Physical Activities for Children with Disabilities” (project nr. NFI/R/2014/070). Five publications were submitted to SCOPUS and WOS journals. Quantitative and qualitative indicators regarding health related physical activity participation of children with disabilities to be used on national level in Latvia and Norway. The new study course for health care and sport science students on innovative technologies to monitor and measure physical fitness level has been developed and will be implemented at the LASE on 2017/2018 study year. This course titled “Innovative physical activity assessment technologies” will be taught by Edgars Bernans (assistant researcher) and Martins Campa (assistant researcher at the scientific project). Improved health care availability and services in Latvia and Norway. During scholarship project the new initiative was started to meet with students from different HEIs studying in health care related study programs. The first seminar on interdisciplinary research in health care was organized on February 1 at the LASE.
Summary of bilateral results
Nine peer reviewed international publications, were produced as outcomes of the synergy research project “Health and Social Indicators of Participation in Physical Activities for Children with Disabilities” (project nr. NFI/R/2014/070). Five publications were submitted to SCOPUS and WOS journals. Development and approbation of the prototype of mobile movement measurement system. Approbation of technology in education (1 new study course in master study program level). As indicated above, the new study course for health care and sport science students on innovative technologies to monitor and measure physical fitness level has been developed and will be implemented at the LASE on 2017/2018 study year. As part of the synergy scientific project (project nr. NFI/R/2014/070) the new prototype devices (Figure 1) of mobile movement measurement system were validated in a sport event for children with disabilities, and based on the data gathered a final prototype as well as an algorithm for predicting activity levels for children with disabilities in real time for feedback purposes was developed. The results were submitted and accepted for publication in the scientific journal (SCOPUS). The collaboration between institutions representing different professional and academic fields will contribute development other project applications in the international research grants including program Horizon 2020. Participation and/or coordination of application in Horizon 2020 program (1 application during project activities). As part of the synergy with the research project outcomes - Interdisciplinary model for comprehensive physical activity management and the final prototype predicting activity levels for children with disabilities in real time for feedback, will be applied in prospective projects that have been approved.