How can the impact of national recommendations for physical activity be increased? Experiences from Germany

Abstract

BackgroundClearly stated national recommendations for physical activity (PA) are available in many nations. Yet, their impact on national level policy-making might be considered modest at best. This paper analyses the approach selected to curtail this problem in Germany.Main textAcademics, government institutions and relevant stakeholders worked in collaboration to produce a series of national recommendations for PA and PA promotion published in 2016. Since their publication, these recommendations have achieved a measurable political impact through a systematic approach focused on dissemination and implementation strategies. For example, the German Conference of Health Ministers has acknowledged the national recommendations, endorsed their dissemination and proposed that they are included in measures within the Federal Prevention Act.ConclusionSince their publication, the national recommendations have yielded satisfactory political impact. The contributing aspects might partially be explained by the Multiple Streams Approach.

German recommendations for physical activity and physical activity promotion in adults with noncommunicable diseases

“…In order to maximise the reach of the recommendations, it is crucial to attempt to disseminate said recommendations to the appropriate individuals, communities, and organisations at the right time. In order to facilitate understanding of the developmental process for PA recommendations, it has been proposed that the German context should be analysed through the lens of the multiple streams approach (MSA) [21]. In summary, the MSA was developed in 1984 to study policy processes and to clarify why certain issues receive or attract attention and others do not (agenda setting).…”

“…This propelled several different strategies and actions that boosted the impact of PA and PA promotion recommendations nationwide. A more detailed description and dissection of the aforementioned strategies and actions was published by Rütten et al [21].…”

“…Even more uncommon than missing PA recommendations, however, is to identify guidelines that not only define the health-enhancing dose of PA, but also recommend how PA promotion works for the specific target groups of adults with NCDs [21]. The majority of countries fail to provide such recommendations on PA promotion for adults with NCDs within a specific national scenario.…”

Health Benefits of Physical Activity: A Strengths-Based Approach

“…Virtually everyone can benefit from becoming more physically active [2]. Various national and international organizations have provided physical activity recommendations across the lifespan [7][8][9][10][11][12], including recommendations for persons living with chronic medical conditions [13][14][15][16]. Concurrent with these guidelines and recommendations are often statements regarding the health perils associated with being physically inactive.…”

“…Remarkably, there is even limited utilization of these guidelines by practitioners [31,32,39] and organizations with a clear invested interest in these guidelines [40]. Rutten and colleagues [11] also recently stated that the impact of national physical activity guidelines on "national-level policy-making might be considered modest at best." Clearly, a better approach to the promotion of the health benefits of physical activity is required to support enhanced health and wellness at the individual and population levels.…”