Bodies in Motion, Goals in Sight: The Role of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract
This presentation is divided into three interconnected parts. The first section introduces the UNICEF Agenda for Sustainable Development, providing an overview of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their global relevance. Emphasis will be placed on the framework’s vision for health, equity, and well-being.
The second part focuses on how physical activity and the field of sport sciences can actively contribute to the realization of several SDGs, with a particular emphasis on Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being. This segment highlights the interdisciplinary nature of sports sciences and their role in promoting public health, mental well-being, and social inclusion.
Finally, the third part presents selected examples from the speaker’s research and recent projects that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. These projects demonstrate how scientific inquiry and practical interventions in the area of physical activity can support sustainable, health-oriented development, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Recommended literature
Morton, S., Pencheon, D., & Squires, N. (2017). Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and their implementation: A national global framework for health, development and equity needs a systems approach at every level. British Medical Bulletin, 124(1), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldx031
Lohmann, J., Tittlbach, S., & Steinbauer, M. J. (2024). Sustainable development in sport and physical activity—perspectives and challenges. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, 54(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-023-00938-y
Khataei, S. M., Amiri, E., & Machado, D. G. da S. (2025). Multisession transcranial direct current stimulation and aerobic exercise synergistically improve food craving symptoms, impulsivity, and cognitive flexibility in women with overweight and obesity: A randomized controlled trial. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 22(1), 68. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-025-01773-0