Physical activity for more people is positive for society as a whole

Physical activity affects both health and well-being and the greatest effect on society regarding physical activity is when sedentary persons take their first step and get moving. Therefore our cities, residential and local environments must be adjusted to incorporate movement and physical activity. Researchers at MDU are currently looking at how the region and municipalities in Sörmland work with physical urban planning and how it can be improved. Here they give us their best tips.

In the FASiS project (Physical activity in urban planning in Sörmland) Helena Tobiasson, Associate Senior Lecturer in Interaction Design at MDU and Johan Faskunger, Behavioural Scientist and Affiliated Researcher, have reviewed the governing documents that operators in the regions and municipalities in Sörmland use to create conditions for physical activity in the local environment.

Five tips to create a society with more physical activity and movement

The project has provided several important insights into how different operators work or can work more systematically to create a society with more physical activity and movement.

• Safeguard and utilise spaces that are close to the city such as forests, grass, water, and snow/ice all year round.
• Prioritise safety and security by for instance reducing the speed of cars and investing in cycle lanes and all year-round cycling.
• Maintain and develop nature close to residential areas and urban areas.
• Invest in freedom of movement for all citizens of the city. Create attractive meeting points that suit different types of activities all year round, regardless of the weather, season or darkness.
• Identify groups with sedentary lifestyles and promote efficient efforts to enable more people to get involved in exercise and activities.

“This must be greatly prioritised by politicians and requires collaboration with civil society, for instance, the organised outdoor recreation, culture and sports,” says Johan Faskunger.

Positive impact on society as a whole

“Regular physical activity has a huge impact on both our physical and mental health. It also provides positive effects on the development of society in terms of reduced sick leave, increased productivity and a more sustainable society,” says Johan Faskunger.

Johan Faskunger also believes that politicians and decision-makers in the municipalities and regions must understand that working with physical activity is increasingly linked to working with public health, sustainability, urban development, tourism but also security and safety.

“Politicians cannot view physical activity as a sidetrack but it must be an integrated part of already prioritised goals and efforts. The greatest mistake that politicians can make is to believe that Kultur & Fritid or a public health authority can solve this issue alone. Physical activity should be integrated into overall urban development.”

Movement in daily life

To get those people who are least active to start exercising, Helena Tobiasson believes that it must be integrated into their daily lives.

“Promoting a simple outdoor life and movement in everyday life will get you far. In addition, collaboration between organisations and stakeholders who meet these groups of people is required. And above all, to reach an effect on the least physically active persons politicians and decision-makers must gain advanced knowledge and understanding of these groups and their norms and values”, says Helena Tobiasson.

The FASiS project was run by Region Sörmland with Johannes Hedlund as Project Manager. Read more about the project here. External link.