What Policies Do Local Governments Use to Promote Physical Activity? A Comparative Analysis of Municipalities From 4 EU Countries and Japan

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität ErlangenNürnberg, Erlangen, Germany

2 Université Côte d’Azur, LAMHESS, Nice, France

3 Center for Promotion of Higher Education, Kogakuin University, Tokyo, Japan

4 Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Adults on the Move Program, Jyväskylä, Finland

5 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

6 Sports Medicine Research Center, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan

7 Faculty of Sport Management, Nippon Sport Science University, Yokohama, Japan

8 The BOX – Barbell Club, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

9 Institute of Sport Sciences, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

Abstract

Background 
As public policies have the potential to change the entire system of physical activity (PA) promotion and to create conducive environments, they are particularly relevant to address the persistently low levels of PA across the world. Furthermore, WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity highlights the relevance of local governments as important partners for policy action. However, our knowledge on how local PA promotion policy compares across countries remains limited.
 
Methods 
We conducted an exploratory study as part of the LoGoPAS project to compare the status quo of local PA policies across five municipalities in five different countries. Using purposive sampling, Jyväskylä (Finland), Nice (France), Erlangen (Germany), Fujisawa (Japan) and Cluj-Napoca (Romania) were selected. Data were collected and analysed via desk research and expert consultation using the CAPLA-Santé, a validated tool designed to assess relevant aspects of local PA promotion policies.
 
Results 
The analysis showed that the main responsibility for PA promotion varied between municipalities, resting either with the sport or the health sector. A total of 50 relevant PA policy documents were identified, focusing on multiple settings and target groups. Budgets for PA promotion differed across municipalities. Research on PA was reported to have informed policy development in some but not all cases. Across countries, political support was identified as a key driver of local PA promotion.
 
Conclusion 
LoGoPAS is the first study to apply the CAPLA-Santé outside of France and the first to use it for an international comparative analysis. Results highlight the ability of the tool to provide insights into local PA policy development, contents, and implementation worldwide. While this study provided a cross-sectional in-depth analysis of the status quo in select municipalities, future research could also aim to assess policies at a large scale, i.e. for multiple municipalities and/or on a regular basis. 

Keywords

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 January 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 May 2024
  • Revise Date: 19 September 2024
  • Accept Date: 01 January 2025
  • First Publish Date: 04 January 2025

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