title: The Impact of the Physical Activity Policy Research Network.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lack of physical activity is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. The Physical Activity Policy Research Network (PAPRN) is a thematic network established in 2004 to identify determinants, implementation, and outcomes of policies that are effective in increasing physical activity. The purpose of this study is to describe the products of PAPRN and make recommendations for future research and best practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed methods approach was used to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data on the network. First, in 2014, PAPRN's dissemination products from 2004 to 2014 were extracted and reviewed, including 57 publications and 56 presentations. Next, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 key network participants from 17 locations around the U.S. The transcripts were transcribed and coded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the interviews indicated that the research network addressed several components of its mission, including the identification of physical activity policies, determinants of these policies, and the process of policy implementation. However, research focusing on physical activity policy outcomes was limited. Best practices included collaboration between researchers and practitioners and involvement of practitioners in research design, data collection, and dissemination of results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PAPRN is an example of a productive research network and has contributed to both the process and content of physical activity policy research over the past decade. Future research should emphasize physical activity policy outcomes. Additionally, increased partnerships with practitioners for collaborative, cross-sectoral physical activity policy research should be developed.
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Alicia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Manteiga
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. Electronic address: aeyler@wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Amy A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Eyler
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valko
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; Division of Public Health Sciences and Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Ross C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Brownson
authors.affiliation: UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Kelly R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Evenson
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schmid
mesh_terms: D015444:Exercise; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration