YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
Sitting in front of the computer, in cars or on trains, in front of the television: there are numerous publications drawing our attention to the fact that – at a world-wide level - people get far too little physical exercise. In Switzerland the recommendation is this: 150 minutes each week in which to accelerate your breath and heartbeat. A quarter of the overall population does not reach this target. In many industrial countries insufficient physical activity is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. In consequence, overweight, diabetes and various cancers may be the result. Physical activity at regular intervals does not only avoid health risks, but has also a positive effect on the psychological well-being. Not to forget that the social integration between different generations and cultures becomes much easier through joint sports activities. Studies have shown that both intense daily exercise and additional physical activity in daily life, such as regular walking or cycling have a considerable protective effect. On the one hand, the movement behaviour of human beings is influenced by socio-demographic factors such as age, gender and educational level. The factors (age and gender) cannot be influenced at all or at least not directly (education) by interventions which promote physical activity. On the other hand there are modifiable determinants which have a direct effect on our movement behaviour. Apart from personal factors, those include inter alia the social and physical environment (built environment). While the relation between movement behaviour and health has been researched in-depth at both a quality and quantity level, the investigation about the effects of the so-called built environment on our movement behaviour has only just begun. Nevertheless, it has already been proved that the living environment can be changed and designed in such way as to provide the residents with more options and fewer barriers for regular physical activities in their everyday lives. Exercise-friendly framework conditions in the living environment, on streets, paths and squares - in other words safe and attractive connections and recreation spaces - have a positive effect on people's movement behaviour. And this is exactly what the structural promotion of physical activity is about.
Promoting physical activity by establishing networks and removing barriers
Between 2011 and 2013 a pilot project called "PHYSICALLY ACTIVE COMMUNITIES" was implemented in approximately ten communities to structurally promote physical activity in Switzerland, in the Canton of St. Gallen respectively. The objective: exercise- friendly communities and quarters should promote physical activity among the young and older residents while at the same time improving the social cohesion and quality of life. People should love to live, learn and work in their home town. When doing so, the interest was primarily focused on structural improvements of the walking and cycling conditions, the revaluation of public spaces, play, sports and break areas as well as open and green spaces and, last but not least, improving the accessibility of these areas. In order to attain this objective, an interdisciplinary approach was indispensable. The project "A Community in Motion" was developed in cooperation with partner organisations and experts in the fields of traffic planning for pedestrians and cyclists, accident prevention, nature protection, health promotion and prevention and supported by three departments of the Canton of St. Gallen (Construction, Education and Health). The project is addressed to the overall population and pays particular attention to children, senior citizens and people with disabilities because these groups of persons would not actually be reached by implementing conventional measures of movement promotion. In the context of "A Community in Motion" the relevant communities were provided with both support for the implementation of a set of measures and consultation regarding the creation of better framework conditions for the promotion of physical activity. To be precise, the communities were provided with the following three options for action:
In order to improve the structural framework conditions it was of utmost importance to involve the population, because only then it could be guaranteed that all actual needs would be taken into account. Thus the pilot project "A COMMUNITY IN MOTION " was designed within a participatory process. The electronic registration of weaknesses should help the population of the relevant communities to identify obstacles for physical community which might be relevant for them. Hence short distances and attractive pathways to important places, such as schools, supermarkets, leisure areas or central stations could be assessed. In the context of this workshop the population were thus given the opportunity to communicate their needs and contribute ideas for the areas to be redesigned. Behind this was the experience that the relevant needs to be met were very different depending on the different perspectives of parents, children, senior citizens or persons with physical disabilities. In addition, the focus was on cooperative networking with community partners. The different partners from schools, municipal administration and population were to be involved in the cooperative approach. Thus, the subjective perception of all parties concerned as well as the experts' view and the municipal framework conditions were brought together in a joint dialogue. The participating communities were accompanied and supervised by a trained expert. Support was provided regarding the relevant objectives, options for action and the implementation with the target groups. At the end of the respective process the analyses were summarised in a final report including all relevant recommendations and handed over to the respective communities.
Success factors and challenges
Both, the overall process of " A COMMUNITY IN MOTION " as well as the implementation in the relevant pilot communities were documented and evaluated. The overall result was very positive as all desired objectives were effectively achieved. In the communities two out of three possible options for action (electronic remediation plan, future-related workshop) - which have all proved successful - were used. In all communities involved change processes could be initiated. Approximately two third of the identified weaknesses could be solved or transferred into planning processes. However, most of the municipal representatives want to continue working and developing the structural promotion of physical activity, in particular the communities want to promote the slow traffic issue, provide unimpeded movement as well as the interdisciplinary and participatory cooperation.
Factors of success were inter alia the interdepartmental project organisation, the participatory involvement of the population concerned and the close cooperation with the municipality. The participation of different departments has considerably contributed to the success of the project and has in addition well proved indispensable with regard to the sustainability/anchoring of the project " A COMMUNITY IN MOTION ". Moreover, the flexible approach, within the one of which the involvement of the different actors continually had to be redefined and adapted to the needs of the relevant communities was of central importance. The professional support of the process through specially trained experts has also proved to be successful and was very much appreciated by the communities. It was in particular the encounters between laypersons and experts on-site and the resulting spontaneous situations and experiences which led to an increased commitment and close cooperation between all parties involved. However, the acquisition of the communities was particularly challenging. For the successful implementation of the project interventions, it was essential that the relevant municipal decision makers would fully support the project and be prepared to set up the specific measures. Therefore the early involvement and awareness raising was a basic factor. However, it was less difficult to acquire communities when their existing concerns could be taken up in the project concept. Points of reference for structural promotion of physical activity, such as safety on the way to school or traffic and road safety, are topics which are generally given high priority in many communities.
Finally, the results of the analysis of the overall process of " A COMMUNITY IN MOTION " have been summarised in an extensive final report as well as the experience gained through the implementation of the specific measures within the communities concerned. Parallel to this a guideline for the implementation of movement promotion within communities has been drawn up. Since the successful completion of the pilot phase, the project " A COMMUNITY IN MOTION " is continually advanced and improved in the Canton of St. Gallen in close cooperation with the communities involved. Those communities which implement measures which promote physical activity will be provided with a start-up funding.
List of sources ./. Further information and project documentation
