Elevating Physical Activity as a Public Health Priority: Establishing Core Competencies for Physical Activity Practitioners in Public Health

Abstract

Background:Physical activity has emerged as a vital area of public health. This emerging area of public health practice has created a need to develop practitioners who can address physical activity promotion using population-based approaches. Variations in physical activity practitioners' educations and backgrounds warranted the creation of minimal standards to establish the competencies needed to address physical activity as a public health priority.Methods:The content knowledge of physical activity practitioners tends to fall into 2 separate areas—population-based community health education and individually focused exercise physiology. Competencies reflect the importance of a comprehensive approach to physical activity promotion, including areas of community health while also understanding the physiologic responses occurring at the individual level.Results:Competencies are organized under the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's 5 benchmarks for physical activity and public health practice.Conclusions:The greatest impact on physical activity levels may be realized from a well-trained workforce of practitioners. Utilization of the competencies will enable the physical activity practitioner to provide technical assistance and leadership to promote, implement, and oversee evaluation of physical activity interventions.

Regional Differences in Smoking, Drinking, and Physical Activities of Chinese Residents

“…6 Regular physical activity prevents heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and many other diseases and metabolic conditions. 7…”

Public Health Competencies for Chiropractic Programs

“…From these 13 articles, 217 competencies were identified from a variety of health care fields, including allied health, dentistry, undergraduate medicine, public health professionals, family medicine, primary care, nursing, physical activity, and medical schools in the United Kingdom (American Association of Public Health Dentistry, 2014; Anderson et al, 2002; Basu & Roberts, 2012; Caron & Tutko, 2009; Chappel et al, 2007; Clark et al, 2016; Dallman et al, 2009; Fish et al, 2011; Gillam et al, 2015; Harvey et al, 2011; Hoover et al, 2012; Keller et al, 2011; Potts et al, 2011). Of note, one publication described a model public health course and related learning objectives for chiropractic educational programs, published in 2002 (Anderson et al, 2002).…”

Physical activity across days of week, video games, and laptop use are more likely to influence weight gain among Saudi Youth

“…Alasqah et al ( 2021 ) noted that most Saudi adolescents do not meet the recommendation of 60 min of PA per day; consequently, 28–30% of adolescents are overweight or obese. Maintaining regular PA is especially important for children and adolescents not only because it provides health benefits, but also because it is an important factor in acquiring lifelong habits (Ridgers et al, 2007 ) and for a public health priority (Dallman et al, 2009 ). In fact, adolescents spend up to 25% of their time at school, which provides them with opportunities to engage in PA during the day (Jago and Baranowski, 2004 ).…”