bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
S02-2: Integrating “routine” practice into the monitoring of physical activity promotion for adults and vulnerable groups: lessons learned
Authors: Birkholz Leonie , Abu-Omar Karim , Gelius Peter , Geidl Wolfgang , Pfeifer Klaus , Messing Sven 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To support policy development, a number of tools are available to inform policymakers about the current status of PA promotion in a specific country. However, an exchange between policymakers and researchers revealed a major gap on the systematic assessment of “routine practice”, i.e. PA promotion activities already taking place on a large scale and on a regular basis (e.g., programs run by governmental or civil society organizations such as municipalities, schools, sports federations, or cycling federations). This study aims to provide an overview of routine practice for PA promotion in Germany as part of the newly developed TARGET:PA tool.

Methods
A systematic search for routine practice at the national level was conducted for adults and for vulnerable groups (older adults, adults with noncommunicable diseases). Based on a search on Google and websites of relevant stakeholders in the field of PA promotion in Germany, the results were categorized by relevant sectors and settings (e.g., sport, health, transport). In addition, the efficacy, reach, and maintenance of the identified routine practice were examined. Finally, scientists and stakeholders were involved to verify the routine practice for PA promotion.

Results
The systematic approach yielded more than 100 routine practices of PA promotion in Germany. They focused both on behavior change (e.g., “bike to work” campaign, exercise referral schemes) and on structural interventions (e.g., public funding of sports for all). Most were identified for adults, especially for the sport sector. The results informed the development of policy briefs on PA promotion for adults, older adults, and adults with noncommunicable diseases published by the German Federal Ministry of Health.

Conclusions
Routine practice is particularly relevant for policymakers as it already has a high reach, and substantial public health impact might be generated by further optimizing it rather than introducing new measures. Integrating this aspect into the monitoring of PA promotion could be an added value, and the approach has the potential to be adapted to other countries.
S05-2: National Strength in Old Age Program: 20 years of committed municipalities and intersectoral collaboration
Authors: Starck Heli , Kalmari Pirjo , Hänninen Saila , Borodulin Katja 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To prepare for increasing numbers of older persons, a National Program to promote functional capacity among older persons aged 75+ years was launched.

Development
The Strength in Old Age Program (on-going since 2004) in Finland aims to launch health-enhancing exercise for independently living older adults with decreased functional capacity. Age Institute coordinates the Program and mentors the municipalities, each participating for a three-year-period. The Program is primarily funded by Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Implementation
Participating municipalities implement good practices in exercise counseling, strength and balance exercise and outdoor exercise. They commit to implementation through intersectoral collaboration without extra funding. The sectors include eg. social, health care, sports services, and NGOs. Local cross-sectoral work is supported by the mentoring of Age Institute including counseling, continuing education, materials, network events, development tools, and collection of follow-up data.

Evaluation
109 municipalities out of 297 have participated in the Program. Results from the municipalities state that 79% perceived receiving high or very high benefits from participation in the Program and 89% were committed to continue the good practices after the 3-year mentoring phase. They were most satisfied with tailored counseling, free continuing education, and materials. They also met challenges, e.g. high turnover of workers and lack of support from decision-makers. The Program develops solutions to local challenges by learning from others and using the good practices.
The amount of exercise groups has increased in most municipalities. A survey of exercise group participants has been made in three waves (2015-2023). The participants perceived mostly good or strong benefits from their participation in the groups. Physical functioning test results show that majority of the participants improved their strength and balance.

Dissemination
A systematic dissemination has been carried out by Age Institute. Scale-up is limited to availability of resources. Until 2023, individual municipalities applied to the 3-year-Program. In future, the Program will focus the dissemination to Wellbeing Services Counties, after the social and health care reform.

Conclusions
The Program has shown substantial results in all participating municipalities, where key elements include commitment of the municipalities, support from Age Institute and participation of older persons.
S06 Organisation of physical activity for people with acute or chronic diseases: the mechanisms, the barriers, and the possible solutions
Authors: Harvey Juliet , Crabbé Marie , Morris Jacqui , Lion Alexis 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Physical activity (PA) is a promising therapeutic tool to treat and manage several chronic diseases. However, few patients are engaged in regular PA or are sufficiently active.
This symposium investigated different mechanisms, barriers, and solutions which may explain the low PA engagement of patients with chronic diseases. Possible solutions will also be discussed.

Project/policy description
The first presentation aimed to tackle the deconditioning during the acute phase of the treatment of chronic diseases in Scotland (UK) using a collaborative method. A Special Interest Group was formed and consisted in a collaborative hub where staff networked, supported each other, conducted projects, and shared their findings and challenges. It resulted in the development of resources, audit tools and training material.
The second presentation aimed to investigate the barriers explaining the lack of PA in cancer patients in Flanders (Belgium). Barriers experienced by patients and health and exercise professionals were identified and used to elaborate a tool allowing professionals to assist cancer patients more effectively in their exercise routines.
In third presentation aimed to developing and pilot testing a dyadic intervention to promote outdoor walking in people after stroke in Scotland (UK). The collected data illustrate the potential of dyadic interventions with this clinical population. The data highlight the need for careful matching of dyads, facilitation of dyadic working by practitioners who can support development of dyadic relationships; and community structures linked to healthcare pathways that support implementation.
The last presentation aimed to understand how outpatient PA for cardiac patients is organised in Luxembourg and its 3 surrounding countries. Organisation was different in the 4 countries. Guidelines on the organisation of the outpatient PA for cardiac patients are needed to harmonise the organisation with may help to increase the participation.

Conclusions
Organisation of the PA offer for people with chronic diseases, which include a better promotion from healthcare professionals and more patient-centred programmes/initiatives, may increase the participation. These examples will open a discussion between the speakers and the audience attending the symposium. It will feed into the reflections of the Working Group on HEPA Promotion in healthcare settings.
S07-3: Exploring association between characteristics of green space and HEPA behaviour of teenagers in Slovenia
Authors: Erjavec Ina Šuklje , Kozamernik Jana , Žlender Vita 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Different characteristics of public green areas are important spatial conditions for sustainable development as well as for promotion and quality of everyday physical activity (PA). However, not all green places are suitable for all kinds of PA and different people have different needs, preferences and motivations that should be considered for suitable provision of the sustainable and inclusive environment for HEPA. One of the less investigated and thus understood population groups is teenagers. Their needs and motivations as well as behaviour patterns are often overlooked when researching and planning for quality of living environment although there is a growing concern about their physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles.

Methods
This study focuses on the role of physical environment in elevating PA. It questions how we can plan outdoor green spaces to create a safe and quality environment to sustain and encourage PA among teenagers. It aims to provide answers by (1) inspecting the needs, wishes and preferences of teenagers regarding PA and, (2) identifying facilitators and barriers to outdoor PA. A national-wide survey with 165 respondents and two workshops with more than 100 high school participants were used to collect data from teenagers in Slovenia.

Results
Respondents’ main activities were walking, socializing outdoors, and hiking. However, 70% of them did not reach sufficient PA, mainly due to the lack of time and company for PA. Whilst a recreational paths network and a space to play ball were the main encouragements for outdoor PA, crowdedness, rain, bad smell and trash were among main barriers.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that young people appreciate similar green space characteristics to other population groups as secure access and use, natural shade, closeness to home, and trees. But there are some specific aspects as playing ball settings, possibilities for socializing and the evening use, WI-FI provision and similar that should be taken into consideration. However, we can conclude that providing large, clean, and well-maintained semi-natural or natural-like green spaces close to people's homes may be an effective strategy to improve PA and youth’s health.

Funding Source
Slovenian Research and Innovation agency (ARIS).
S07-4: How to promote HEPA in local urban communities in an eco-friendly way? Learn more about City, Green, Go! Toolkit
Authors: Veress Réka 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of the City, Green, Go! project is to promote environmental sustainability in the grassroots sport sector. The focus is on promoting health-enhancing physical activities in the urban environment, that are taking into consideration the physical characteristics of the environment and spreading environmental messages. For empowering the grassroots sports’ actors, a toolkit has been developed according to the needs of municipalities, sport and environmental organisations, local communities to provide capacity building and a path for collaborative work.

Project description
In the framework of a 2-year-long Erasmus+ sport collaborative partnership project, 5 main partners and an associated municipality have developed the City, Green, Go! Toolkit, the Toolkit for eco-friendly grassroots sports initiatives in urban settings.
With the coordination of Budapest Sport Service Provider Non-profit Ltd, Isinnova research institute has led the research and the collection of relevant good practices, which are available on the project website. Based on the good-practice compilation, the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) has led the development of the Toolkit, focusing on the following chapters:
• Why should we promote eco-friendly grassroots sport initiatives in urban settings?
• What can eco-friendly grassroots sport initiatives bring to society?
• Key steps to be taken to create eco-friendly grassroots sport initiatives in urban settings
• Useful Resources
Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) coordinates the organisation of online and onsite testing workshops, that are for disseminate and further develop the toolkit. These workshops are used also as evaluation platforms. Based on the feedback of the participants, the toolkit will be improved.
The Toolkit is based on Principles for Environmental Conservation and Regeneration in Sport Events. Biodersity, Social Equity, Health and Wellness are also addressed among the principles.
For the effective use of the Toolkit, itineraries for organisations of online and onsite workshops will be created.
Dissemination is partly done during the workshops and in the framework of cooperation with like-minded Erasmus+ projects, which creates synergies among similar actions.

Conclusions
By learning about the Principles for Environmental Conservation and Regeneration in Sport events, the environment and the members of the local communities will jointly benefit from eco-friendly grassroots sport events.
S08-1: How can we scale up local physical activity policy monitoring initiatives?
Authors: Messing Sven , Van Hoye Aurélie , Abu-Omar Karim , Gelius Peter , Riquier Olivier , Tcymbal Antonina , Tezier Benjamin 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
There is a growing body of evidence on the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) policies, and numerous tools have been developed to monitor such policies. However, a recent literature review revealed that only a limited number of tools focus on PA policy monitoring at the local level. While some of these tools focus on an in-depth data collection in single municipalities, there are only selected examples of large-scale policy monitoring initiatives. This raises the question how to scale up local physical activity policy monitoring initiatives in different countries and considering local contexts.

Methods
To generate knowledge on local PA policy monitoring, a qualitative iterative research design was adopted, including (a) the mapping of indicators of established local PA policy monitoring tools and (b) a co-construction process with policy-makers in France and Germany. The co-construction process with local level policy-makers from different sectors generated data on facilitators and barriers for large-scale policy monitoring, and helped to design a preliminary strategy for scaling up PA policy monitoring at local level.

Results
The comparison of established tools provided a systematic overview of indicators and processes used to monitor local PA policy. Based on the co-construction process, a shortlist of indicators with a high relevance for the involved municipalities was created, considering the perspective of policy-makers from different sectors and countries. The preliminary strategy for scaling up local PA policy monitoring initiatives addresses the two aspects of increasing the reach (number of municipalities involved) and frequency of respective initiatives.

Conclusions
The results show that a strategy for scaling up local PA policy monitoring can be developed based on a co-construction process with policymakers. However, only a limited number of municipalities was involved in this explorative study. Further research is needed to validate the findings for France and Germany, and to test the transferability of this strategy to other countries.

Funding Source
This project has received funding by BayFrance under the grant agreement number FK-06-23.
S09 Exploring the sport and physical activity experiences of people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland: Breaking down barriers, building new relationships
Authors: Cullen Benny 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Sport Ireland (SI) will deliver a symposium that will provide valuable insights on the importance of inclusive sport and physical activity environments and opportunities that cater for the needs of all in society. The symposium will share results from a selection of studies funded by the SI Research Grant Scheme (RGS), which has funded 49 projects across 13 universities since its inception in 2021. The RGS focuses on projects that address issues of inclusion in sport and physical activity with a view to empowering marginalised communities. The symposium will bring together the lead investigators from four such projects, who seek to impact their chosen field of study while implementing programmes that will initiate change in both policy and the lives of those they engage with.
Led by Robert Purcell, Active Disability Ireland’s study explores the experiences of young people with disabilities in Ireland; including barriers to physical activity, parent/guardian perceptions of need and lack of available supports / facilities.
Lisa Flynn, Vision Sports Ireland, will provide new insights on physical activity experience for children and adults with a visual impairment. The study focuses on children who attend mainstream schools and explores the experiences of their PE teachers. This programme is an ongoing collaboration between Vision Sports Ireland, the Department of Education and DCU.
Dr. Hayley Kavanagh from Special Olympics Ireland and DCU will present findings from a study on fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children with an intellectual disability and the development of a new coaching programme to address the many issues uncovered.
Mr Seamus Nugent, Sport Inclusion lead at Kilkenny Recreation & Sport Partnership, will present findings from ‘Equality in the Field’, a study that examines the experience of LGBTQ+ Youth participation in sport.
The symposium will be chaired by Mr Benny Cullen, the Director of Sport and Innovation Unit at Sport Ireland. Mr Cullen has led on several largescale population studies, including the Irish Sport Monitor and Children’s Sport & Physical Activity study. Mr Cullen will start the symposium with a brief introduction of Sport and Physical Activity policy in Ireland as it relates to diversity and inclusion.
S09-3: Play to Prevent: An 8-week coach led FMS for children with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Kavanagh Hayley 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Fundamental movement skills (FMS) represent the ‘building blocks’ of specific movement skills, like jumping and running, and are necessary for engaging in physical activity and sports. Children with intellectual disabilities (CwID) must be provided with opportunities to learn, practice and reinforce these skills.

Methods
A meta-analysis of studies comparing the FMS proficiency of CwID to typically developing children (TDC) (n = 3525, age 4-12 years) showed that the standardised mean difference in FMS performance between these groups is large (g = 1.24). Research investigating FMS proficiency of CwID attending the Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) Young Athletes programme and their typically developing peers (n = 96, 60% aged 5-12 years) demonstrated higher levels of FMS mastery/near mastery amongst TDC. Overall, findings highlighted sub optimal levels of FMS proficiency amongst CwID and the need for tailored FMS interventions targeting specific skill weakness for this population. Currently within the literature, there are no recommended gold standard FMS interventions for improving motor skill proficiency amongst CwID. This study sought to investigate whether a coach led FMS intervention incorporating parental involvement, improves FMS proficiency in CwID attending the SOI YA programme. CwID (n = 90) between 4-12 years participated in the 8-week intervention delivered by coaches (n = 8) in clubs (n = 8) across the island of Ireland. The FMS intervention involved a three-pronged approach, 30 children were in the control group, 30 children in the FMS intervention and 30 children participated in FMS + parent group. Parents of children involved in the third intervention group (n = 30) undertook PLAYshop, a physical literacy workshop designed to upskill parents on the importance of FMS/physical literacy.

Results
Significant improvements were seen in FMS proficiency of children participating in the FMS only and FMS + parent groups. Parents' self-reported knowledge and confidence to support their child's FMS development significantly increased after PLAYshop participation.

Conclusions
Findings support an 8-week, coach led FMS intervention with parental involvement can significantly improve motor skill proficiency of CwID.

Support/Funding Source
Sport Ireland, SOI, Dublin City University.
S09-4: ‘Equality in the Field’
Authors: Nugent Seamus 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Sport participation and physical activity have a positive influence on the health of young people (Doull et al. 2018). However, in Irish schools 73% (n = 788) of LGBTQ+ students report feeling unsafe, while 77% have experienced verbal harassment based on their gender expression or sexual orientation (BeLonG, 2019). A consultation for strategy development by Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership (KRSP) found that as an organisation it needs to improve its engagement with for the LGBTQ+ community and to develop practical support and training for sports organisations.

Methods
A mixed methods study was conducted in November 2022 which used a transformative queer framework supported by gender affirmation theory. It focussed on LGBTQ+ groups of students, secondary school students and university students. In total 42 LGBTQ+ students attended focus groups and 41 completed a survey.

Results
The built environment, especially changing rooms and toileting facilities, were deemed to be a major barrier to LGBTQ+ participation in sport and physical activity. Other findings highlighted the need for non-discriminatory policies, inclusive language and staff and volunteer training. Finally, it emerged that there is a need for an overall respectful, inclusive culture, one where bullying and harassment are not tolerated and where diverse gender expression and sexual identity is acceptable.

Conclusion
It is critical that policymakers and service providers understand the factors which influence sport participation among the LGBTQ+ youth community. The findings underscore the importance of considering the unique barriers LGBTQ+ youth face during sport participation and the need for support/training to be provided for parents, coaches, educators, and sports providers. Considering that many of the study recommendations are low cost or no cost, the main challenge will be adopting appropriate practices which will support and guide intervention development.
KRSP are currently researching the awareness and uptake of training in LGBTQ+ theory and current / correct terminology by sports clubs and facilities in the Kilkenny/Carlow area. Following this they will develop, disseminate, and evaluate the use of a newly developed toolkit by sports clubs and sporting facilities in the study area.

Support/Funding Source
Kilkenny Local Sports Partnership, LinkAge Consultancy