Background & ObjectivesLack of movement is one of the most important factors leading to different health problems like heart/circulatory diseases, depressions, overweight and obesity, diabetes type2, hypertonia etc. Surveys in France, Switzerland and Austria show that the number of fatalities based on lack of physical activities is eight times higher than figures for traffic accidents and double the number related to PM10 impacts. This lack of movement is largely caused by the way of life like motorised transport habbits.
The idea is to motivate people via their personal benefit from changing their behaviour. The core idea of the program is the "transfer of motion and physical activity into everyday life". The "Activity Programme" takes 12 weeks and had the following objectives and targets:
- The participants become aware of their mobility habits, understand their effects and identify opportunities for change
- The participants (re)discover their city by foot and on bike
- The participants are motivated to transfer more physical activities into everyday mobility
- The participants should learn about and experience and understand the physical and psychological advantages and benefits of regular movement
- The participants should act as multipliers for their families, friends and their surroundings
ImplementationIn this module several medical doctors from Weiz and a local fitness manager co-operated. Those who are patients of these doctors were invited to take part in the mobility / health programme.
The 12 weeks ' programme provides three evening sessions, a group meeting including presentations on mobility/movement and two fitness checks (before - after). During the kick-off meeting, the participants were given a Mobility / Health Diary especifically developed for this purpose. Participants could note every day to what extent they had achieved their personal activities. |
This facilitated qualitative and quantitative evaluation. 30 minutes of physical activities a day would be optimal. The classifying walking test was made as early as in the first project week (methodology of the UKK walking test). After 12 weeks, this walking test was repeated in order to measure the changes.
The case study is part of the overall INTERREG Alpine Space project VIANOVA.
Vianova website
ConclusionsProject results: Average values per person:
- Each participant covered during the programme time approximately 170km on foot and 100km on bike
- Each participant shifted in average ca. 92 car-km to walking and cycling
- All in all 1/3 of all kilometers were a shift from car transport towards cycling / walking, 2/3 were additional mobility
- All participants improved their fitness values in average about 13,1% within the period of 12 weeks
AuthorRobert Pressl
Contact Robert Pressl
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