Cooperative planning of measures to promote physical activity New paths for expanding capabilities-results from the Capital4Health research consortium

Background Despite various national and international political initiatives for promoting physical activity at the population level, the development of effective interventions for physical activity promotion remains a challenge. In this context, there is a growing interest in participatory approaches that actively involve central setting actors in the development of specific measures. Aim of the article This article reports on the experience made by the Capital4Health research consortium while using a participatory approach called cooperative planning to increase capabilities for physical activity across different age groups. Results Capital4Health employed the cooperative planning approach in the childcare, school, vocational training (car mechatronics and nursing), and community setting (with a focus on men 50+). While the central elements of the approach were implemented in all settings, planning processes varied significantly with respect to the spectrum of involved actors, the number of participants and sessions, the specific measures developed, the evaluation methods, and the effects achieved at an individual and systems level. Conclusion From the perspective of the Capital4Health principal investigators, the preliminary empirical results from the different settings allow for the overall conclusion that the cooperative planning approach can work and generate health promotion impact in very different settings. However, it must (and can) be adapted to the respective setting, especially in relation to involving population groups. Actors' readiness for change is crucial, as physical activity does not always have top priority in settings. In this context, key individuals can make a decisive contribution to a project's success.

Automated summary

This article reports on the experience of the Capital4Health research consortium in using a participatory approach called cooperative planning to enhance physical activity capabilities across different age groups. The cooperative planning approach was employed in various settings, with different planning processes and measures developed, showing that it can generate health promotion impact in different settings with adaptation to involve population groups and key individuals contributing to success.