bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
S07-2: Principles for quality design of green spaces to ensure equal hepa opportunities for all – experience from Slovenia
Authors: Erjavec Ina Šuklje , Kozamernik Jana , Žlender Vita 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Numerous studies have shown that green spaces are an important determinant of HEPA, in terms of promoting daily PA as well as of the greater health benefits of outdoor PA in contact with nature. However, people do not have same opportunities for PA nor the same access to green spaces. There are wide disparities between countries, cities, neighbourhoods, urban and rural environments and between different population groups. Vulnerable groups are particularly disadvantaged in this respect. In addition, not all green spaces are suitable or attractive for PA but must meet several conditions related to the type of PA and the needs and abilities of the users. For that comprehensive, inclusive, and long-term spatial planning is needed.

Project description
In line with WHO recommendations and guidelines, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Slovenia has taken a step towards cross-sectoral integration of HEPA and green space planning and in 2017 started co-funding a three-year programme entitled Expert basis for designing green spaces to promote physical activity – Going Out for Health. Currently, the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, is implementing the third program: Green Spaces for Active Lifestyles, Healthy Cities, and Municipalities (https://venzazdravje.uirs.si/en-us/) , focusing mainly on practical support to local communities in the form of consultancy workshops to assess and improve the condition of their green spaces for HEPA and their accessibility for people of all ages with the special focus on vulnerable groups.

Conclusions
To improve the cross-sectoral understanding of the importance of and approach to ensuring appropriate, inclusive spatial conditions for HEPA in the context of green spaces, we will present some of the results of all three programmes relating to aspects of the quality of planning and design of green spaces in relation to equitable accessibility and usability for all. We will present in more detail our eight HEPA Green Space Design Quality Principles and the methodology of the Municipal Consultations on the topic, with a particular focus on the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Funding
Ministry of Health of the Republic of Slovenia, Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency, grant. no. V5-2232.
S08 Sharing experiences in local PA policy development and monitoring, to increase collaboration, efficiency, and inclusiveness
Authors: Gelius Peter 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The importance of local governments' engagement in physical activity (PA) promotion has been widely acknowledged and described at international and national levels, by governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Generally, public policies can positively influence PA determinants and local PA policies in particular can have a more direct and sustainable positive impact on the target populations.
However, the monitoring of the development and implementation of these (legally binding or voluntary based) local initiatives has so far been lagging behind the expected or needed coverage and / or consistency.
The current symposium aims to present how local PA policy assessment can contribute to enlightenments in regards to policy monitoring scaling-up, increasing cross-sectoral collaboration to increase PA policy effectiveness and PA services accessibility and highlighting the gap between goals and practices in local PA policy targeting diverse population subgroups.
The presentations will be followed-up by a Q&A session focusing on aspects related to the importance of local PA policy monitoring and evaluation and the actions local governments can uptake in order to shift from experimental to routine policy monitoring and how academia can support this transition.
S08-2: Challenges of cooperation between urban planning, sustainable mobility, sport, and public health for effective HEPA policies - lessons from Slovenia
Authors: Erjavec Ina Šuklje , Kozamernik Jana , Žlender Vita 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
In accordance with state or federal legislation in each country, local governments have public health related responsibilities, to protect and promote health in the populations. Due to changes in the natural & built environments, work characteristics, sedentarism became an important public health issue. Therefore, in the last 15-20 years, physical activity (PA) became more and more prominent in the preoccupations of national and local governments, with strategies, policies and programs to promote PA being issued, adopted and some implemented and evaluated.
The aim of this study is to explore the potential gap between local governments’ PA promotion related goals (as stated in their official PA related strategies or policies) and the actual PA projects or programs implemented at local level targeting diverse populations subgroups.

Methods
We used the CAPLA-Santé local policy assessment tool to describe the PA related strategies or policies in 5 selected municipalities from Finland, France, Germany, Japan and Romania. This presentation focuses on the respective target audiences of PA policy (CAPLA-Santé question 11) and examples of concrete actions in the form of programmes, interventions, or structuring initiatives (question 14).

Results
In each of the 5 selected municipalities, the local PA related strategies or policies include diverse populations subgroups such as: pre-school, children/adolescents, students, women, people in care facilities/patients suffering from chronic diseases, migrants, disabled individuals, seniors etc. However, from the examples of good practice reported, for all municipalities, only some of these subgroups (i.e. seniors, patients suffering from chronic diseases, women) are targeted in the PA related programs, interventions, or initiatives.

Conclusions
Even though inclusion in public health / PA promotion is at declarative / goals level on the agenda for all analyzed municipalities, in practice, only a few population subgroups benefit from local dedicated PA promotion initiatives. Reasons for this and potential ways to improve the current status quo are discussed.

Funding source
European Commission, Erasmus Plus programme, 613568-EPP-1-2019-1-RO-SPO-SSCP
S10-1: Using open GIS data to identify bikeable neighbourhoods for adolescents across Germany: Results of the MoMo-Study
Authors: Klos Leon , Pedrick-Case Rebecca , Fry Richard , Wäsche Hagen , Niessner Claudia , Woll Alexander 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Bikeability is an emerging concept that quantifies the perceived comfort and convenience of accessing important destinations by bike. Existing bikeability indices are limited to adults, single, large cities and use restricted GIS sources. The aims of this study are to (1) identify environment characteristics related for a bikeable neighbourhood that can be analysed using open GIS data and (2) find associations between bikeability measures and cycling behaviour in adolescents across Germany.

Methods
Street network data, and location data on schools, shops, food establishments, parks and outdoor pitches were downloaded from OpenStreetMap, topography data was taken from the European Digital Elevation Model and population data from the German census. A routing algorithm was used to model the access to the different destinations and to measure the length of streets with slow traffic and separated cycling infrastructure within 4-20 minute bike rides. Data from the MoMo study wave 3 (1253 adolescents aged 11-17 years, 50.1% female) were used to assess the relationship between the GIS measures and cycling to school and non-motorized vehicle use (e. g. cycling, longboarding).

Results
Preliminary results indicate that access to all types of locations is positively correlated with cycling to school, strongest within the 12 and 16 minute bike ride buffer. Smaller associations were found between accessibility and non-motorized vehicle use. The length of dedicated cycling infrastructure and residential streets within an 8-16 minute bike ride are related to cycling to school. Results on separated cycling infrastructure along main streets are inconsistent.

Conclusions
We demonstrated that openly available GIS data can be used to quantify bikeable neighbourhoods for adolescents across Germany. Safe cycling infrastructure, roads with low speed limits, and access to different places of interest are crucial to promote cycling in adolescents, strengthening the evidence for the European Declaration on Cycling.

Support/Funding Source
This work has been developed within the Motorik-Modul Longitudinal Study (MoMo) (2009 – 2022) MoMo is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (funding reference number: 01ER1503).
S11-3: Enhancing the reach of PA promotion among socially disadvantaged groups: lessons learned
Authors: Verkooijen Kirsten , van Uden Daniëlla , Alarslan Güven , de Jager Dico , Wagemakers Annemarie 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
People in socially vulnerable positions constitute a diverse group that face a variety of life challenges, such as low income, mental illness, homelessness, and social isolation. Participation in physical activity (PA) programs could help these people by strengthening resources, such as social support and mental health, that help them cope with these challenges. Several PA programs have been developed specifically for this purpose. However, the reach of these programs is often suboptimal. The aim of this research is to find (potentially) effective strategies to enhance the reach of PA promotion among socially disadvantaged groups.

Methods
Qualitative data from three, past and ongoing, research projects on PA programs for socially disadvantaged groups were combined and analysed to extract important lessons with regards to effective strategies that enhance program reach. The data were gathered as part of the process and effect evaluation of these projects and involved interviews with program participants, program providers, and other relevant stakeholders.

Results
Several effective strategies were identified to enhance the reach of PA programs among socially disadvantaged groups. At the organisational level, intersectoral collaboration was found to be very important for the recruitment of participants. At the program level, family-oriented programs showed potential to increase program reach as well as working with experts-by-experience and including the target group in the planning and design of activities. With regard to the latter strategy, providing meaningful involvement at the individual level appeared key.

Conclusions
Notwithstanding the possible high quality of PA programs designed specifically for socially disadvantaged groups, their success is highly dependent on their reach among targeted participants. Further research into the effective strategies that increase program reach is warranted to inform and support practitioners involved in the design, implementation or organisation of these programs.

Support/Funding Source
The projects were funded by ZonMW and NWO (Dutch organisations for scientific research).
S13 Optimising the inclusivity of mass participation physical activity initiatives: lessons from 20 years of parkrun
Authors: Haake Steve 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Over 20 years, parkrun has evolved from a small time trial in London, to a global physical activity and volunteering initiative with over 100 million instances of participation at a Saturday 5km parkrun or Sunday 2km junior parkrun. Every week throughout the year, parkrun takes place at more than 1,800 locations across 22 countries. parkrun welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, with the average finish time getting progressively slower. Volunteering is considered an equal form of participation and walking is encouraged.
Yet certain groups face unique and complex barriers to mass-participation physical activity initiatives and are often underrepresented. As parkrun grows, inclusive strategies are needed to optimise inclusivity.
This symposium will explore the experience of parkrun for three priority, often underrepresented, groups; 1) people with common mental health conditions; 2) those at risk of poor mental and social wellbeing; and 3) those with vision impairment. The influence of the ‘parkwalk’ initiative will be discussed as a possible solution for optimising the inclusivity of parkrun. Speakers will reflect on how the learnings from parkrun research can be applied to other health-enhancing physical activity initiatives.

Presentations
1. The experience of parkrun by those with mental health conditions: results from the parkrun UK Health and Wellbeing Survey 2018
2. “I enjoyed the camaraderie, the atmosphere and the inclusiveness of parkrun”: A qualitative study to explore mental wellbeing in middle-aged men at parkrun Ireland
3. “I’m just one of the runners, one of the walkers”. Exploring the experiences of participants who are vision impaired at parkrun in Ireland
4. Using the socio-ecological model of physical activity to test the efficacy of a social intervention at an active leisure event: the parkwalker initiative

Interactive Q&A
Prof Steve Haake (Chair of the parkrun Research Board) will lead a Q&A session with the audience and will start by asking the speakers how inclusivity could be improved. The Chair will invite questions from the audience and curate the discussion to ensure a lively debate about ‘the lessons from parkrun’.
The symposium slides and a summary of discussion topics will be made available online after the conference.
S13-1: The experience of parkrun by those with mental health conditions: results from the parkrun UK Health and Wellbeing Survey 2018
Authors: Quirk Helen , Bullas Alice , Haake Steve , Ker Suzy 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Physical activity can alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety and has been recognised as an effective treatment option, but suitable activities are often lacking. parkrun is a free, weekly 5km walk/run and volunteer initiative. The 2018 parkrun UK Health and Wellbeing Survey identified participants who self-reported mental health conditions. The aim was to understand motives for taking part, the impact of participation and the characteristics of parkrun that influence their experience.

Methods
Findings from 1,574 respondents were analysed using mixed methods. Quantitative data were analysed using chi square and logistic regression to explore the reported motives and perceived impact of parkrun. Open text responses about the impact of parkrun on health and wellbeing were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results
Health conditions included anxiety disorder (n = 902), depression (n = 1,202), panic attacks (n = 225), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (n = 150). This group was significantly more likely than those with no health conditions to choose mental health, condition management and happiness as motives for participation in parkrun. They were more likely to report that parkrun improved their mental health and confidence compared to those with no health conditions. Qualitative responses revealed that people benefitted from the regular, social, outdoors, and volunteering aspects of parkrun. For many people, parkrun was deemed inclusive and catalysed other positive experiences such as improved social connections, running ability and health choices. It was praised for being accessible due to the mixed abilities and option to walk or volunteer. However, parkrun was “not all sunshine and roses” with some reports of social anxiety, concerns about being too slow, coming last and not fitting in.

Conclusions
Inclusive physical activity provision in the community is often lacking for people with mental health conditions. This study has found a wide range of benefits of parkrun, particularly for people who are socially isolated and less active. For sustained participation, it is crucial that new participants are supported to overcome anxieties and feel included.

Funding
None
S13-2: ”I enjoyed the camaraderie, the atmosphere and the inclusiveness of parkrun”: A qualitative study to explore mental wellbeing in middle-aged men at parkrun Ireland
Authors: Dunne Allison , Quirk Helen , Bullas Alice , Haake Steve 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Middle-aged men in Ireland are a population who are known to be at high risk of poor mental wellbeing and suicide. One health promotion strategy for this population is to participate in community initiatives which combine a purposeful activity with social contact to support physical, mental and social wellbeing. Research on the weekly running, walking, and volunteering initiative parkrun has indicated that participation may have mental wellbeing benefits but engagement by the population group of middle-aged men in Ireland has not been explored in depth. This study asks How does the parkrun model for community initiatives promote inclusion and mental wellbeing for middle aged men in Ireland?

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted online in 2022/23 with 39 men, aged 45-64 years, who run, walk or volunteer at parkrun. Men from rural and urban communities across Ireland gave interviews lasting a mean of 32 minutes. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to explore the experiences of the men during parkrun participation. Here we report the findings from one theme relating to inclusivity at parkrun; parkrun offers a supportive environment for health.

Results
Many men in the study positively described the operational characteristics of parkrun such as free access, regular, weekly events, global locations, and a mix of ages and genders. Attendance with friends and family members, familiar location, a non-judgemental environment and the opportunity for socialising were all included as reasons for the welcoming atmosphere. The men described the social connections made at parkrun as being supportive for their mental wellbeing.

Conclusions
The physical activity initiative parkrun can offer a supportive environment to promote mental wellbeing. As parkrun is a global initiative the benefits to other population groups at risk of poor mental wellbeing should be explored. The parkrun operational model can be applied to other physical activity initiatives to encourage inclusion and reduce barriers to participation.

Funding
AD is supported by a fees-only PhD scholarship from Sheffield Hallam University
S13-3: ”I’m just one of the runners, one of the walkers”. Exploring the experiences of participants who are vision impaired at parkrun in Ireland
Authors: Ryan Joan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The benefits of physical activity are well established but people who are vision impaired are known to have low levels of participation. This qualitative research explores the experiences of nine people who are vision impaired at parkrun, a free, weekly 5km, mainstream community running and walking event.

Method
Semi structured interviews were conducted with nine parkrun participants who were vision impaired who had each participated in a minimum of 10 events. The results were analysed using the thematic analysis process of Braun and Clarke.

Results
Three main themes were identified from the data. The participants felt they were welcomed, in terms which they felt comfortable with. They felt that their wellbeing and health were enhanced by participation. They felt a sense of belonging within a mainstream community. Their successful participation enabled them to feel the benefits of physical activity from not just a biomechanical functioning perspective, but they also felt benefits to their psychosocial wellbeing which reached beyond the 5km weekly event.

Conclusion
This data gives valuable insight into the perspective of people with disability within a mainstream physical activity event. It contributes to new insights on how inclusion is defined and achieved using the voice of people with vision impairment. It also provides an important contribution to the growing body of academic research on parkrun.

Funding
The author is supported by a fees only PhD scholarship funded by Topcon and Vision Sports Ireland. This research is conducted as part of a PhD studentship at TU Dublin.
S14-1: EUPAP Feasibility Study. Practice transfer of a HEPA prescription model to other nine EU countries. From theory to practice
Authors: Mas-Alòs Sebastià , Rosa Bruno Avelar , Demeyer Dempsey , Domnariu Carmen , Farías-Torbidoni Estela , Godinho Cristina , Hansson Lena , Lipkens Luc , Matas Sergi , Merlo Laura , Planas-Anzano Antoni , Silva Catarina Santos , Ursu Ciprian , Vestemean Ioana , Friberg Marita 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The Swedish Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP-S) method was to be transferred to other European regions through the EUPAP Project, innovative for implementing a reliable method to other nine countries. Implementation practices are strongly context-dependent; therefore, the practice transfer requires a flexible approach.
PAP-S results over 20 years have reported success to a variety of populations. It addresses physically inactive individuals and/or with chronic conditions to improve their health by increasing their physical activity (PA) levels. The PAP-S five core components are: individualised patient-centred counselling, evidence-based PA recommendation, written prescription, community support, and follow-up.
The goal was to know the context regarding PA prescription and ease the transfer from the Swedish context, specifically to: a) setting relevant PAP-S indicators for planning and monitoring, b) creating guidelines for data collection, c) providing an overview of the situation in each region, and d) assessing for readiness to implement the model.

Project description
Modified Hybrid e-Delphi process by representative from 10 countries. First, commitment from organisations to assume costs for the implementation. Second, description of variables and procedures for data collection. Data comprised two dimensions (ie, macro level (early diagnosis) and micro level (preparedness for implementation)). Third, data collection. Fourth, data analysis and discussion.
Thirty-five experts participated in the EUPAP Feasibility Study. Guidelines for data collection includes indicators on macro level: a) EUPAP-relevant policy documents, b) profiles of prescribers and allied professionals, c) programmes, materials and training on HEPA, d) regulations, e) budget; and micro level: a) stakeholders, b) settings, c) agents, d) end-users.
Country-specific results were collected, compared and discussed in relation to the core components of PAP-S (findings are accessible on www.eupap.org). Project partners disseminated the results among region-specific stakeholders.

Conclusions
Data showed regions with solid background to launch the EUPAP implementation (Flanders, Catalonia, Portugal) and others with less existing materials or weak network (Malta, Romania, Germany). Policy-makers, local health services and communities may better set short- mid- and long-term goals for the PAP-S transfer. Further design on practices and policies may use the Feasibility Study Guidelines for setting specific procedures.

Funding
Co-funded by the European Union’s Health Programme (2014-2020).