Episode 6 – Is equity in health and physical activity a reasonable goal? We think not!

Episode Details

Scroll through social media, open the paper or drone through the nightly news and you will probably see mention of equality/inequality or social justice. Unfortunately, this theme has crept into narratives from exercise and sport science related organizations and initiatives. In this episode we chat with Dr. Jim Nuzzo about his recent critique(s) of the equity in health and physical activity initiative from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Our Guest

Jim Nuzzo is a postdoctoral fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia in Sydney, Australia. He holds a PhD in Physiology from the University of New South Wales, a Master’s degree in Exercise Science from Appalachian State University, and a Bachelor’s degrees in Exercise Science from Slippery Rock University. His research examines how resistance training alters the neural connections between the brain and muscles, and he has recently published critiques of the idea of equity in physical activity participation. He can be followed on Twitter @JamesLNuzzo. You can also follow Dr. Nuzzo’s research on ResearchGate.

Episode Resources

The issue of equity/inequity can certainly tug on emotional heartstrings, and as a result, this issue has become a political football; sorry of the idioms 😉 This has also made it difficult for some to wrap their head around the issue of equity. Below are a number of resources we hope might help. First, we have included those resources directly discussed in the episode that largely pertain to equity in health and physical activity. Second, we have included some resources that were either mentioned toward the end of the episode or we just feel would further shine some light on the issue(s) of equity more generally.

Resources directly discussed in the episode

• Achieving Equity in Physical Activity Participation: ACSM Experience and Next Steps
  • This is the original article in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise that got Dr. Nuzzo’s attention initially.
• Equity in Physical Activity is a Misguided Goal
  • Dr. Nuzzo’s original letter or response to the above article.
• Response
  • This is the response to Dr. Nuzzo’s letter that critiqued the initial paper; in other words, a response to a response 😉

Ok, now the real juicy bits from Dr. Nuzzo.

• Equity in Physical Activity: A Misguided Goal
  • Published in Sports Medicine, this articles takes a deep dive into the host of problems related to the original article/initiative.
• Comment on: “Equity in Physical Activity: A Misguided Goal”
  • A response to Dr. Nuzzo’s more thorough critique.
• Reply to Williams et al.: Comment on: “Equity in Physical Activity: A Misguided Goal”
  • Dr. Nuzzo responds to their extremely weak arguments! I love a good fight.
• Connecting qualitative research on exercise and environment to public health agendas requires an equity lens
  • Last but not least, we discussed the “inequality paradox” covered in this paper by Stephanie Coen. Stephanie Coen was also a co-author on one of the responses above.

Other helpful resources related to equity and economic thinking

• Some of you are certainly familiar with Ayn Rand. She was prolific writer of both fiction and nonfiction. Check out all of her writings!
• Freedom of Opportunity Not Equality of Opportunity is an essay by George Reisman.
• The content keeps coming from Thomas Sowell. I mean take your pic of Sowell’s work. Sure, you can start with the classic Basic Economics or jump to the more interesting titles including but not limited to Discrimination and Disparities, Black Rednecks and White Liberals & The Quest for Cosmic Justice.
• The Diversity Delusion by Heather Mac Donald.