We will keep updating this page with new publications and media related to the Aqua Steps study, as soon as they become available.

Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections Annual Conference, December 2025

Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections (SPARC), established in 2016, is a network of physical activity researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in Scotland organised by the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh and the Active Scotland Division at the Scottish Government. The theme for the 2025 conference was ‘Putting evidence into action: Using physical activity research in policy and practice’. An excellent fit for aquatic exercise therapy for falls prevention. Stelios Psycharakis delivered a talk on key findings of the Aqua Steps project. For more information on SPARC and the conference, click here.

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Annual Conference, November 2025

The annual physiotherapy conference took place in Wales from the 20th-22nd of November. Linda Linton talked about the experiences and opinions of the participants and instructors of the  Aqua Steps programme, and had the chance to exchange ideas with colleagues on prevention guidance and aquatic exercise in thematic sessions and workshops.

Lothian Conference on Falls Awareness and Learning, September 2025

The Falls Prevention Awareness Week is a dedicated annual public health campaign aimed at increasing awareness of fall risks, especially among older adults, and encouraging simple, effective actions to reduce falls and fall-related harm. As part of the week’s activities, a conference on Falls Awareness and Learning took place on the 17th of September 2025. Stelios Psycharakis, the Aqua Steps project lead, was invited to to deliver a talk about Aquatic Exercise for Falls Prevention. More details on the Falls Prevention week cane be seen in this link.

Aqua Steps Open Public Seminar, June 2025

When? Wednesday the 18th of June 2025. 9:30am-1:30.

Where? Meadowbank Sport Centre – Hall 3. 139 London Road, Edinburgh, EH7 6AE.

What is the seminar about? Aqua Steps is an exercise intervention that aims to reduce falls in older adults. It was designed by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow Caledonian University, and was delivered in collaboration with Edinburgh Leisure and the Midlothian Council. During the seminar we will present key findings, reflect on the experience and discuss next steps. The outline is as follows:

• 09:30-10:00: Arrivals and registration
• 10:00-11:15: Oral presentations, discussions and reflections
• 11:15-11:30: Coffee break
• 11:30-12:30: Feedback and feedforward- Where to next?
• 12:30-13:30: Buffet lunch and networking

What is the cost and how can I register? The event is free. Registration can be done through the following link: https://aquasteps-public-seminar-june.eventbrite.co.uk.

Who can attend?

• People working in the sport, health and leisure industry. For example, sports facility and health development managers, exercise instructors and anyone with an interest in falls prevention, older adults and aquatic exercise.
• Physiotherapists, GPs and other health professionals.
• Stakeholders, academics and other professionals with an interest on public health, injury and illness prevention, and healthy ageing.
• Members of the public who want to know more about the Aqua Steps programme and for exercise for falls prevention.

The above list is not exhaustive, so if you are unsure about attending just contact us to ask!

What if I cannot come to the seminar, but I am still interested in the study or have other questions?

Then feel free to get in touch by emailing AquaSteps@ed.ac.uk.