scholarly journals Physical activity promotion by health practitioners: a distance-learning training component to improve knowledge and counseling

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 140-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex A. Florindo ◽  
Douglas R. Andrade ◽  
Paulo H. Guerra ◽  
Jorge Mota ◽  
Diane Crone ◽  
...  

AimTo report an evaluation of health professionals’ participation in a distance-learning physical activity training course developed in a low socio-economic region of São Paulo city, Brazil.BackgroundIn countries with public universal health systems, physical activity promotion in primary health care settings can reap results, particularly given that such interventions have the potential to reach a large percentage of the population. However, few studies proposed physical activity training for health professionals in low- and middle-income countries. Brazil is a continental country and has the Unified Health System which incorporates family health teams in over 85% of Brazilian cities.MethodsThe physical activity training was part of the fifth module of an educational intervention throughout a distance-learning course focusing on health professionals at M’Boi Mirim district in São Paulo city. The training totaled 3 h and had five themes of physical activity: (1) concepts, definitions benefits; (2) evaluation; (3) recommendation; (4) interventions; (5) physical activity counseling. The opinion of health professionals was evaluated after training by two open questions.FindingsOut of 106 professionals who took part of the course, only 22.6% (n=24) had accessed the fifth module. These professionals were predominantly female (79.2%), nurses (66.7%) and aged 30 years or older. Responses highlighted the course approach focused on physical activity for improving patient’s quality of life and well-being, disease prevention and health improvements. Regarding the themes for improvement, the health professionals identified that there was a need to experience physical activity classes first-hand, and the need to link physical activity counseling to the local venues that provide structured physical activity programs. We recommend that further training courses can be conducted based on this model for health professionals to promote physical activity to the community in Brazil.

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Mahecha Matsudo ◽  
Victor Rodrigues Matsudo ◽  
Douglas Roque Andrade ◽  
Timóteo Leandro Araújo ◽  
Erinaldo Andrade ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Mahecha Matsudo ◽  
Victor Keihan Rodrigues Matsudo ◽  
Douglas Roque Andrade ◽  
Timóteo Leandro Araújo ◽  
Michael Pratt

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  

In addition to the delivery of primary care services, recent changes to the NHS in the United Kingdom have placed increasing responsibility on GPs for the commissioning of the full range of health services from prevention through to clinical interventions and rehabilitation. Whilst historically there has always been an expectation that primary care professionals were ideally placed to provide support for prevention as well as treatment, their active engagement in the promotion of physical activity has remained largely superficial. With notable exceptions where individuals have a personal interest or commitment, the majority of health professionals tend to limit themselves to peremptory non-specific advice at best, or frequently don’t broach the subject at all. There are a number of reasons for this including increasing time pressures, a general lack of knowledge, limited evidence and concerns about litigation in the event of an adverse exercise induced event. However in the 1990s there was a surge of interest in the emerging “Exercise on Prescription” model where patients could be referred to community based exercise instructors for a structured “prescription” of exercise in community leisure centres. Despite the continuing popularity of the model there remain problems particularly in getting the active support of health professionals who generally cite the same barriers as previously identified. In an attempt to overcome some of these problems Wales established a national exercise referral scheme with an associated randomised controlled trial. The scheme evaluated well and had subsequently evolved with new developments including integration with secondary and tertiary care pathways, accredited training for exercise instructors and exit routes into alternative community based exercise opportunities.


Author(s):  
Sigit Arifwidodo ◽  
Orana Chandrasiri

Public Park is considered one of the essential settings for physical activity, especially in urban areas. Parks support physical activity through their accessibility, their provision to facilitate active pursuits; their capacity to provide opportunities to a wide range of users; and their semi-permanent nature. The paper explores the design intervention assessment of Benchakitti Park, which serves as the pilot project for active park and showcase during the past ISPAH 2016 conference. The objective of the paper is to understand the health and well-being benefits of an urban park in increasing PA levels of urban population and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Keywords: Public park; physical activity; urban landscape design; public health; SOPARC


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1492-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Sophie Van Hoecke ◽  
Christophe Delecluse ◽  
An Bogaerts ◽  
Filip Boen

Background:This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of multiple physical activity counseling strategies on subjective health among older adults.Methods:Sedentary older adults (n = 442) were randomized to 3 programs: (1) a one-contact referral to locally organized physical activities, (2) a one-contact provision of a walking program, (3) a 10-week multiple-contact physical activity coaching based on the Self-Determination Theory. Self-reports on well-being, trait anxiety and physical activity were completed at baseline (pretest), and 10 weeks after (10-week follow-up), 1 year after (1-year follow-up) and 2 years after (2-year follow-up) pretests.Results:All 3 programs yielded improvements in well-being and trait anxiety from pretest to 10-week follow-up and to 1-year follow-up. From pretest to 2-year follow-up, no changes emerged in well-being whereas trait anxiety increased significantly. Changes over time in well-being and anxiety were not significantly different between the programs. Changes in physical activity contributed significantly to the prediction of changes in well-being and trait anxiety.Conclusions:The findings demonstrate the year-round effectiveness of physical activity counseling on subjective health among older adults, irrespective of counseling strategy. However, a relapse to baseline level occurred 2 years after the intervention. Physical activity appears to be an important determinant of older adults’ well-being.


2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  

The role of regular physical activity for population health has been clearly documented. Improvements in population levels of physical activity require long-term implementation of a combination of measures, including the evidence based approaches described in the “seven best investments for physical activity” (www.globalpa.org.uk): whole-of-school programmes, transport, urban planning, integration of physical activity promotion into primary health care systems, public education, community-wide programmes, sport for all. The health care setting has a particular role in this context, particularly in its access to physically inactive individuals. Switzerland has seen a number of successful research projects in this field, but there has been no wide adaptation of these approaches in the medical community. In recent years, a group of institutions including the Swiss College of Primary Care Medicine, the Policlinique Médicale Universitaire in Lausanne, the Ligue Vaudoise contre les Maladies Cardiovasculaires and the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of Zurich have therefore focussed on the development of a physical activity counselling approach based on international evidence as well as on established tools, but streamlined to the specific demands of primary health care providers in Switzerland. PAPRICA (Physical Activity Promotion in Primary Care, www.paprica.ch) has been the result of these developments, and nearly 300 health professionals, most of them primary care physicians, have been successfully trained so far. PAPRICA is implemented together with the Swiss Society for Sports Medicine and a number of regional partners. The development of a national programme structure is currently under preparation. This will allow Switzerland to explore and better use the potential of physicians and other health professionals in the promotion of physical activity and in the fight against non-communicable diseases.


Author(s):  
Anna Chalkley ◽  
Lauren Sherar

Physical activity is beneficial to children’s health and well-being. Evidence suggests that physical activity declines with age from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood, with boys being more active than girls at all ages. Physical activity participation in childhood is affected by the social support and role modelling provided by family, peers, friends, and teachers. Marginalized groups are disadvantaged in terms of access to opportunities to be physically active. From a population perspective, the greatest gains in public health will be achieved by helping those who are most inactive to become moderately active. Physical activity promotion efforts for children have predominantly focused on school-based programmes, but multisectoral approaches are needed with transformative and enlightened public policy regarding many facets of children’s lives such as school curricula, active travel, safe play areas, and enhanced sports opportunities for all.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 192-201
Author(s):  
Sarah Deans ◽  
Alison Kirk ◽  
Anthony McGarry ◽  
David Rowe

Background: Healthcare professionals play a key role in supporting physical activity participation for people with lower limb absence. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to survey healthcare professionals’ views of people with lower limb absence in the United Kingdom, explore their awareness and knowledge of physical activity recommendations and investigate their current and desirable practice towards physical activity promotion. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Potential participants were identified from open-access health-related databases, educational institution databases, and the authors’ professional networks. An online 40-item questionnaire was distributed electronically and by post. Survey items were multiple choice, Likert-type scale or open-ended questions to explore the characteristics of healthcare professionals, awareness/knowledge of physical activity guidelines, current and desired practice and views on physical activity promotion. Results: In total, 106 people responded. Physiotherapists had greater awareness/knowledge of physical activity guidelines compared to prosthetists/orthotists and other respondents. Awareness/knowledge of guidelines decreased as age, experience and time since qualification increased. The most common source of knowledge was self-directed learning. Conclusion: Continuing and improving education on the content of physical activity guidelines may be helpful for healthcare professionals in promoting physical activity to those with lower limb absence. Clinical relevance This research aims to inform prosthetic rehabilitation professionals and academics about an under-researched area within physical activity for health. This knowledge could help develop interventions with the aim of improving physical activity promotion and participation, and ultimately the health and well-being of people with limb absence.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document