The Effect Of Physical Activity On Community Capacity Building

Abstract

Increasing physical activity is a desirable goal for health, social and economic reasons. More recently, physical activity initiatives in communities have been viewed as opportunities for cooperation and community building, through infrastructure development, to fostering teamwork, and promoting participation. Four core agencies from a mid-sized Canadian city; the Saskatoon District Health (the regional health authority), City of Saskatoon (a major provider of recreational programs and facilities in the community), the University of Saskatchewan, and Participation (a national physical activity promotion organization) formed a partnership to develop and implement a city-wide active living strategy, known as “Saskatoon in motion”. The mandate of this initiative was to unite the strengths of public, private, and industry efforts into a collaborative alliance to inspire the residents of this Canadian city to lead physically active lives to enhance their health and quality of life. PURPOSE To determine the effects of a city wide physical activity health promotion initiative on community capacity building. METHODS A mixed methodology (i.e. qualitative/ quantitative) was taken and included data sources such as questionnaires, focus group interviews, and participant observation of key informants in the initiative and the community. Laverack's (1999) nine domains of community capacity were used as a tool for measurement. RESULTS: The findings showed increases in all nine capacity domains from baseline (2002) to follow up one year later (2003). There was also convergence in domain ranking by partners over time, indicative of movement towards a more consistent vision, one of the key elements of an effective partnership. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that community-wide physical activity programs constitute a potential resource opportunity; an entry or means to increase community capacity; a process in which community groups define, assess, analyze, and act on health concerns of importance to their members. Supported by CIHRFigure