bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
S10-3 Research on policy audits for promoting physical activity at the local level in Japan
Authors: Takeda Noriko , Oida Yukio , Inoue Shigeru , Miyachi Motohiko 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Purpose
Increasing levels of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) requires a comprehensive policy framework across all political levels. At the local level, Japan has a two-tier system of government: prefectures and municipalities. We developed specific tools to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of national HEPA policies by the different local governments.

Methods
We started by developing and testing the Local Policy Audit Tool (L-PAT) in all 47 Japanese prefectures (Takeda et al. 2019). It comprises 11 items based on WHO’s HEPA Policy Audit Tool (PAT), covering key policy actions such as: the presence of a local action plan; its implementation; and cross-sectoral cooperation. The L-PAT was sent to key government departments (e.g. health, sports, urban planning and transport) in all prefectures. As a second step, we assessed the development and implementation of local action plans for HEPA promotion in municipalities using the City PAT (C-PAT), which employs six questions based on the HEPA PAT. We surveyed a random selection of 272 out of Japan’s 1,700+ municipalities, stratified by administrative division and population.

Results
The results of the L-PAT indicate that health and sports are the most active departments in promoting HEPA policy at prefecture level. Some prefectures also reported HEPA actions by the urban planning and transport sectors, although these sectors are not covered by the national policy. A major result of the C-PAT survey was that the scale and contents of projects implemented differed depending on the size of the municipality. Both tools revealed that local governments have a low awareness of the “Japanese physical activity guidelines for health promotion 2013” in their policy planning and implementation.

Conclusions
In 2023, both the Japanese physical activity guidelines and the government's most comprehensive health policy, “Healthy Japan 21”, will undergo major revisions. The next step after the L-PAT and C-PAT would be to revise the content of the C-PAT questionnaire to increase its usefulness; that is, a policy audit tool for continuously monitoring local HEPA policies will be created on this occasion, aimed at supporting future national planning processes for HEPA promotion.
S10-4 A comparative evaluation of local governments’ roles in HEPA policy promotion in municipalities from 4 EU countries and Japan
Authors: Sandu Petru , Chereches Razvan Mircea , Papiu Antonia Paula , Gelius Peter , Messing Sven , Vuillemin Anne , Garbarino Jean-Marie , Takeda Noriko , Oida Yukio , Onatsu Tanja , Tuunanen Katariina , Mocan Dan 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Purpose
Local governments’ engagement and performance in physical activity promotion is essential to try to reach the nationally and internationally planned population physical activity goals. However, currently, in most countries/settings, local HEPA policy monitoring and evaluation is largely voluntary and often too context specific, using instruments and methods tailored for that specific contexts.
The aim of the Erasmus + Sport co-financed project LoGoPAS was to assess, promote and support local governments' involvement in HEPA (policy) promotion.

Methods
We used complementary qualitative methods (literature review, document analysis, stakeholders’ interviews, stakeholders’ meetings) to analyze and describe the legally binding roles and voluntary based activities of local governments in PA (policy) promotion in selected municipalities from Finland, France, Germany, Japan, and Romania. The data was compiled and presented comparatively between municipalities using an already validated policy monitoring & evaluation tool, the CAPLA- Santé.

Results
The 5 selected municipalities were: Jyväskylä – Finland, Nice – France, Erlangen-Germany, Fujisawa – Japan, Cluj-Napoca – Romania. Following the methods described above and the chapters structure of the CAPLA- Santé we noticed a few similarities (e.g., the existence of a dedicated structure within the municipality, focus of the policy on several population sub-groups, heavy reliance on national or local budgets) and several differences (e.g., the different levels of evidence used in policy development and implementation, differences in the levels and means of monitoring and evaluation) between settings. There are examples of good practice from each setting, e.g. the strength of financing and evaluation in Jyväskylä, the focus on vulnerable populations in Nice, the collaborative approach in Erlangen, the diversity of physical activity promotion programs in Fujisawa and the opportunistic use of external (EU) financing in Cluj-Napoca.

Conclusion
EU and global Comparative analyses of HEPA policy using a validated instrument can offer insight into different approaches, support and stimulate the further engagement of local administrations in physical activity promotion. The efforts to monitor and evaluate physical activity policy should be intensified and potentially/ideally institutionalized.
S10-5 Legislations and regulations of French public policies promoting health-enhancing physical activity at the local level: do governments adopt a whole system approach?
Authors: Racine Antoine Noel , Van Hoye Aurelie , Vuillemin Anne 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Purpose
Physical inactivity are complex problems to address. System thinking approach (STA) can be a solution to take into account the diversity of upstream factors by identifying leverage points and potential co-benefits of public policies. STA has not been explored at the local level in France. Based on existing local legislations and regulations, this study aims at providing a system approach to health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) for policymakers.

Methods
This study was conducted in five stages by the research team: (1) a systematic search of document has been used to identify French public policies’ legislations and regulations promoting HEPA at local level ; (2) main characteristics for each legislation or regulation were reviewed and extracted to a data extraction form: administration holder, sector holder, political purpose, political commitment, policy timeframe and potential policy partners ; (3) a whole system map of legislations and regulations options to promote HEPA at local level was developed using STA ; (4) the HEPA policies of 10 French mid-size municipalities were collected using a local policy audit tool (i.e. CAPLA-Santé) ; (5) the system map developed was compared with the policy audit.

Results
A total of 26 legislations and regulations options to promote HEPA at local level were identified from sport, education, transport, urban-planning, sustainable development, housing, social and health sectors. The comparison of the whole system map with the policy audit of mid-size municipalities showed that local governments used few legislations and regulations options among their possibilities to promote HEPA (i.e. range of 0-4).

Conclusions
HEPA promotion could be integrated in many public policies at local level. However, local governments included in our study did not adopt a whole system approach to promote HEPA, rather a silo sectorial approach. The use of STA may help policymakers to highlight and develop their legislations and regulations options to promote HEPA and maximize co-benefits.
S11-5 Recruitment of physically inactive adults to participate in the standardized program Jackpot.fit. Which strategies within the health system work?
Authors: Titze Sylvia , Novak Bernhard , Schweiger Markus 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Purpose
The Jackpot.fit program was developed by the Austrian health insurance funds and the organized sport with the aim of offering a standardized training for physically inactive adults. The first semester is free of charge. The original idea was that health insurance companies would use different strategies to recruit participants and that organized sports would offer the standardized program in local sports clubs. In this context, we wanted to investigate which recruitment strategies work well.

Methods
In one region of the province of Styria (Austria), we wanted to offer a dense network of Jackpot.fit classes, as the sports program was to take place close to home. Adults who signed up for Jackpot.fit received an online questionnaire. One question asked: “How did you find out about Jackpot.fit?” Ten answers were available for selection, with multiple responses possible. Responses could be categorized into four areas: Information from the health care system, from the community, from the sports clubs, and from friends/acquaintances. The questionnaire was sent to 394 persons and 133 (34%) completed it (mean age 56 ± 9 years, 73% women).

Results
One health insurance company sent letters to its insured, which was the most successful strategy (mentioned by 33 participants = approximately 25%). The second best strategy is word of mouth through friends/acquaintances (28 participants). Other good recruitment strategies are the community newspaper (23 participants), and activities of the sports club trainer (19 participants). 437 general practitioners working within a 10 km radius of a Jackpot.fit course were informed in writing about Jackpot.fit and were asked to inform their inactive patients participating in Jackpot.fit. However, of the 133 participants, only 3 indicated that their primary care physician informed them about the program.

Conclusion
Health insurance companies can successfully recruit physically inactive adults with a letter to a standardized sports club program near their home. Community information channels and word of mouth have also been successful. Although the network of general practitioners working in the region is dense, written information about the program was not a successful recruitment strategy. Therefore, different recruitment approaches by different actors seem to work best.
S13-2 VARCITIES puts the citizens and the 'human community' in the eye of the future cities’ vision
Authors: Kolokotsa Denia , Tsekeri Elisavet , Lilli Katerina 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
In an increasingly urbanized world, local governments and international institutions strive to increase the productivity and efficiency of cities, recognized as economic growth hubs, as well as ensure a better quality of life and better living conditions for citizens. To meet these challenges, VARCITIES puts the citizen and the “human community” in the eye of the future cities’ vision. The aim of the VARCITIES project is to translate visionary ideas into real solutions by reshaping shared public spaces and making cities livable and welcoming.
Seven municipalities that are exposed to diverse climatic conditions and challenges around Europe have been identified as case studies. Each pilot city has recognized a large-scale site for co-designing and implementing local actions and has adopted an innovative cross-sectoral approach by combining urban digital transformation with nature-based actions. This innovative solution's implementation is consistent with the increase in citizens' awareness, respect for public spaces, and the integration of green spaces into everyday life. Developing a healthy green mindset for citizens and improving economic opportunities through green-digital strategies, drives the implementation of additional actions towards becoming a more sustainable and equitable city. The development process of these visionary ideas into feasible actions is approached by following a bottom-up planning and co-design participatory process involving local stakeholders, assuming a “multiple benefits” perspective, and also addressing social issues and cultural diversion.
S13-3 Translating visionary ideas into real solutions across VARCITIES' Pilot Cities
Authors: Van Rompaey Sara 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
VARCITIES has identified seven European municipalities as the Pilot Cities of the project. Together we will implement integrated and sustainable initiatives that increase the health and well-being of citizens, supporting both municipal actions and local SMEs in meeting credible opportunities to grow and generate revenues.
Each pilot city has recognized a large-scale site for co-designing and implementing local actions and has adopted an innovative cross-sectoral approach by combining urban digital transformation with nature-based actions. This innovative solution's implementation is consistent with the increase in citizens' awareness, respect for public spaces, and the integration of green spaces into everyday life. Developing a healthy green mindset for citizens and improving economic opportunities through green-digital strategies, drives the implementation of additional actions towards becoming a healthier, more sustainable and equitable city. The development process of these visionary ideas into feasible actions is approached by following a bottom-up planning and co-design participatory process involving local stakeholders, assuming a “multiple benefits” perspective, and also addressing social issues and cultural diversion. Over 25 visionary solutions were implemented across the pilot sites focusing on various target groups from the children, senior citizens, patients of hospitals, people with physical or mental disabilities, to all citizens of the cities.
The visionary solutions vary from interconnection among sport, recreational and therapeutic facilities, to analysis and monitoring of psychological and physiological well-being for elderly people and people affected by Alzheimer, or educating and engaging citizens to level-up their awareness of climate change and the importance of biodiversity. They are focused on enhancing the overall effectiveness of green spaces on the quality of life, and physical and mental health of citizens as well as helping to educate them on those topics. The visionary solutions can be duplicated and implemented by other cities in order to promote continuous improvement of health and living quality globally.
S13-4 Supporting health-enhancing research for cities - peer to peer collaboration, impact and dissemination in the Healthy Cities Helix Community
Authors: Pulieri Valeria , Petrea Andreea 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Support for research and dissemination of project results are often different activities even though they can have a similar target audience. To help support its impact and dissemination activities, while also supporting new collaboration focused on improving the health and wellbeing in cities, the VARCITIES project has launched the Healthy Cities Helix - an international Open Innovation community of specialists in the fields of environment, smart cities, health and related disciplines.
The new Helix is calibrated to support VARCITIES through its various development stages, including post-project. It will accelerate the project’s dissemination, communication and commercialisation strategies, by building a strong, self-sustaining community of like-minded stakeholders that will have access to updates on the project and collaborate with experts in their fields of interest.
The community acts as a virtual accelerator for knowledge transfer and the project’s impact objectives - by linking profiles and outputs from the project to external actors from outside the project consortium who will be part of the Helix. This will not only help enable and facilitate disseminating the results to key STKs, with specific focus on healthy cities, health, and physical activity, but will also drive new forms of international and cross-sectoral partnerships and open innovation activity in these areas.
Currently the community hosts members from 183 organisations across 38 countries, but it can also support researchers to connect in a timely manner to relevant partners by tapping into the 10,000 users profiled on the Crowdhelix platform. This means that users can easily collaborate with people from various fields such as social sciences, citizen science, various areas of health, etc.
The Helix has been set-up as a self-sustaining community hosted on the Crowdhelix Platform beyond the lifetime of the project thereby promoting existing and creating new long-lasting impacts.
S15-3 24-hour movement behaviours and cognitive health of adults aged 55 years and over: cross-sectional findings of the PASOCA-study
Authors: Marent Pieter-Jan , Albouy Genevieve , Cardon Greet , van Uffelen Jannique 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Purpose
Increased longevity is one of the greatest success stories in public health. However, ageing is accompanied by cognitive decline which affects people’s daily functioning and, if it develops to dementia, their ability to live independently. The aim of this study is to precisely examine how the 24-hour movement behaviours, including physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and sleep, are related to cognitive function and which role these modifiable lifestyle factors can play in optimal cognitive ageing.

Methods
The PASOCA-study is an observational, longitudinal study spanning over three years. Objective and subjective data of healthy, community dwelling adults aged 55 years and above are collected once a year. Participants wear an accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) on the wrist of their non-dominant hand for seven consecutive days and nights in order to objectively capture their 24-h movement behaviours. In addition, the International PA Questionnaire Short Form, a muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) survey and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index are administered to gather subjective input. Cognition (executive function and memory) is objectively tested with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and subjectively with the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ).

Results
Baseline data collection took place from August 2021 till March 2022 and 234 participants (50.9% women; aged 68.3 ± 7.7 years) were measured. Multiple linear regressions and compositional data analyses will be conducted to understand the precise relationship between PA, SB, sleep and cognition (i.e. executive function and memory). The cross-sectional associations will be presented and discussed during the symposium.

Conclusions
The resulting deeper understanding of the precise relationship between PA, SB, sleep and cognition will inform future guidelines and will contribute to the development of preventive interventions for maintaining cognitive health at older age.

Support/Funding Source
Pieter-Jan Marent is funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) – 11B7123N.
S15-4 Challenges in translating research from controlled to real-life settings: preliminary results and evaluation of the “Take your brain for a walk” study
Authors: Hotterbeex Pauline , Beeckman Melanie , Chastin Sebastien , Cardon Greet , van Uffelen Jannique 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Purpose
Developing strategies to promote healthy cognitive ageing is a priority given the growing ageing population. Recent research has shown that cognitive activity (CA) combined with physical activity (PA) improves cognitive functioning. However, most studies on PA+CA have been conducted in controlled settings, and there is a need for real-life PA+CA interventions. We developed a real-life cognitively enriched walking program “Take your brain for a walk” in co-creation with older adults and experts. Currently, we are conducting a six-month randomized controlled trial (RCT), including an outcome and process evaluation.

Methods
Participants are cognitively healthy community-dwelling adults aged 65+ years. They were randomly assigned to a: 1) cognitively enriched walking program (PA+CA) (performing cognitive tasks while walking); 2) walking program (PA only); or 3) passive control group. Both walking programs consist of two supervised 60-minute group-based walking sessions per week, with a total duration of six months (October 2022-April 2023). Memory and executive functioning are assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery at baseline (T0), three months (T1), six months (T2) and twelve months (T3; T1-T3 2023). Furthermore, a mixed-method process evaluation will be implemented based on the framework of Saunders et al. (2005), including a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview for the coaches and participants of the walking programs.

Results
At baseline, 148 participants were included with a mean age of 70.4 (4.3) years, 70.9% was female. Seventeen participants dropped out in the first 3 months of the study. Three- and six-months effects (data from T0, T1 and T2) of the program on memory and executive functioning will be presented. We expect to see positive changes in cognitive functioning in both the PA+CA and PA arms, with larger effects for the PA+CA arm. Furthermore, the process evaluation results regarding fidelity, dose (delivered or received), satisfaction, adherence and context will be presented. The focus will be on the challenges of research in real-life settings.

Conclusions
Findings will inform future lifestyle programs to promote cognitive functioning by simultaneously focusing on PA and CA for older adults in real-life settings.

Support/Funding Source
This project is funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO).
O.1.1-4 The relationships of mental well-being with physical activity during the COVID-19 in older adults
Authors: Savikangas Tiina , Kekäläinen Tiia , Tirkkonen Anna , Sipilä Sarianna , Kokko Katja 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Purpose
Negative mental well-being may hinder, and positive mental well-being facilitate physical activity (PA) when one’s daily routines are compromised. COVID-19 posed challenges to both mental well-being and PA, in Finland especially for those over 70, who faced the strictest restrictions. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the relationships of mental well-being with PA during the COVID-19 in two cohorts of different ages.

Methods
Data came from two population-based studies. Participants of the longitudinal TRAILS study (N = 162, 58% women, 60-61 years) were representative of their age cohort. Participants of the randomized controlled trial PASSWORD (N = 272, 60% women, 72-88 years) had attended a year-long multicomponent physical training intervention during 2017-2019. Self-reported changes in PA (increased vs. no change/decreased; decreased vs. no change/increased) and PA frequency (1-7; from “not at all” to “approximately daily”) during the COVID-19 were collected from April 2020 to June 2020 (PASSWORD) or July 2021 (TRAILS). Positive mental well-being was assessed by positive affect from the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF, score 1-5). Negative mental well-being indicators were negative affect (I-PANAS-SF, score 1-5) and depressive symptoms (TRAILS: General Behavioral Inventory, score 0-3; PASSWORD: Geriatric Depression Scale, score 0-15). Relationships between mental well-being and PA were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models, adjusted by sex and, in PASSWORD, age.

Results
Positive affect was positively associated with increased PA (odds ratio (OR)=1.751-2.661, p = 0.013-0.034) and PA frequency (B = 0.489-0.550, p &lt; 0.001-0.009) in both studies, and inversely with decreased PA in the PASSWORD (OR = 0.633, p = 0.024). Higher negative affect and depressive symptoms were associated with decreased PA in the PASSWORD (OR = 2.134, p = 0.004 and OR = 1.310, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Additionally, depressive symptoms were associated with lower PA frequency in both studies (TRAILS: B=-0.876, p = 0.004; PASSWORD: B=-0.105, p = 0.002).

Conclusions
Positive mental well-being was consistently and positively associated with PA during COVID-19 in older adults. Higher negative mental well-being was more clearly associated with poor PA behaviors in the older cohort facing stronger restrictions. Supporting positive mental well-being may be as important as reducing negative mental well-being to facilitate physically active lifestyle among older adults during exceptional circumstances.

Funding
The Academy of Finland (323541; 296843).