Physical activity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities

The epidemiological rationale for a focus on physical activity (PA) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people is compelling. PA programs have significant potential to benefit ATSI people and their communities through their contribution to reducing chronic disease, improving physical and mental health and well-being, and improving social factors such as community connectedness. Despite the powerful rationale for a focus on PA in ATSI communities, few published intervention studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of community strategies to promote increased PA among ATSI people. There are however, some examples of ongoing community programs in the 'grey' literature, which illustrate ongoing work in this domain. In view of the paucity of work in this area, there is an urgent need for (1) more research into the effectiveness of innovative strategies for increasing PA among ATSI people: (2) translation of effective strategies into dissemination trials; and (3) fast tracking of research in this area into the scientific literature.