Promotion of exercise among the physically inactive: a challenge also in Switzerland

Abstract

The scientific evidence for the importance of regular physical activity for health is beyond any doubt. This association is widely known and physical activity promotion activities are generally appreciated by the general population. Nevertheless the prevalence of physical inactivity in Switzerland is still rising. A growing number of large scale physical activity promotion projects like << Allez Hop! >>, Vita Parcours and the 'Feel Your Power' campaign of the Swiss Foundation for Health Promotion have begun to target physically inactive individuals. Intervention studies have given first indications of both the possibilities and the limitations of behavioural change. The 'Office in Motion' study used the ecological or settings approach in a white collar worksite intervention and has shown encouraging changes in previously inactive individuals. A number of ongoing studies based on the transtheoretical model in the primary care setting ('Active upon Advice'), in a military context ('Fitcheckplus') and on the Internet ('Active online') have shown positive preliminary results. A tourist region pilot study ('Heidiland aktiv') is used to illustrate the potential limitations of intervention projects: though a promising counselling system was developed and put in place it was not possible to develop an effective approach to the tourists and to generate sufficient interest in the issue to justify a full scale outcome study. These experiences from Switzerland show that behavioural change in previously inactive individuals is possible and that the general practitioner in particular can play an important role in this process. Expectations concerning the size of the intervention effect have to be realistic. Promotion of health enhancing physical activity remains a challenge.