Mats Hallgren

Mid career public health researcher in the EPiCSS group at KI. Editor in Chief: Mental Health and Physical Activity (Elsevier). I have 

I lead a program of research focused on links between physical activity/inactivity and mental health. My recently completed projects include a community-based randomized controlled trial (RCT) of exercise as treatment for alcohol use disorder (FitForChange). I designed and led to completion (2020) a dual site (Sweden-India) trial of yoga and aerobic exercise to promote wellbeing in physically inactive older adults (FitForAge). Other completed projects include the largest international trial of exercise for depression (Br J Psychiatry 2015/16), and a trial of exercise for first episode psychosis. In addition to this experimental work, I have led a series of large-scale observational studies examining relationships of sedentary behaviour (sitting) and depression. This work is presented in an invited article in a leading sports science journal (Ex Sport Sci Reviews, 2020). My highly cited research has impacted clinical and public health practice in Sweden, India, and Australia. I am regularly invited to discuss my work on radio, podcasts, and the print media. I have also appeared on national television. 

I lead seminars on physical activity and mental health in Sweden and abroad. I also supervise master and PhD students in public health sciences.