Development of national physical activity recommendations in 18 EU member states: A comparison of methodologies and the use of evidence

Tcymbal A, Gelius P, Abu-Omar K, Foster C, Whiting S, Mendes R, Titze S, Dorner TE, Halbwachs C, Duclos M, Toussaint JF, Wendel-Vos W, Baxter B, Ferschl S, Breda JJ (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Book Volume: 11

Article Number: e041710

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041710

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the study is to compare how member states of the European Union (EU) develop their national physical activity (PA) recommendations and to provide an overview of the methodologies they apply in doing so. Information was collected directly from the physical activity focal points of EU member states in 2018. Five countries were chosen for detailed case study analysis of development processes. Design Cross-sectional survey. Participants The representatives of the 28 EU member state governments to the EU physical activity Focal Point Network. Outcome measures From national documents we extracted data on (1) the participants of the development process, (2) the different methods used during development, and (3) on which sources national PA recommendations were based. An additional survey for case study countries provided details on (1) anonymised information on the participants of development process, (2) methods employed and rationale for choosing them, (3) development process and timeline, and (4) main source documents used for recommendation development. Results Eighteen national documents on PA recommendations contained information about development process. The results showed that countries used different approaches to develop national recommendations. The main strategies were (1) adoption of WHO 2010 recommendations or (2) a combination of analysis and adoption of other national and international recommendations and literature review. All of the five case study countries relied on review processes rather than directly adopting WHO recommendations. Conclusions While there are arguments for the use of particular strategies for PA recommendation development, there is currently no evidence for the general superiority of a specific approach. Instead, our findings highlight the broad spectrum of potential development methods, resources utilisation and final recommendations design currently available to national governments. These results may be a source of inspiration for other countries currently planning the development or update of national PA recommendations.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance / Institut national du sport, de l'expertise et de la performance (INSEP) France (FR) Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment / Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) Netherlands (NL) Department of Health and Social Care United Kingdom (GB) World Health Organization Switzerland (CH) Medizinische Universität Wien Austria (AT) CHU Clermont-Ferrand France (FR) University of Bristol United Kingdom (GB) Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz Austria (AT) Bundes-Sport Gmbh Austria (AT)

How to cite

APA:

Tcymbal, A., Gelius, P., Abu-Omar, K., Foster, C., Whiting, S., Mendes, R.,... Breda, J.J. (2021). Development of national physical activity recommendations in 18 EU member states: A comparison of methodologies and the use of evidence. BMJ Open, 11(4). https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041710

MLA:

Tcymbal, Antonina, et al. "Development of national physical activity recommendations in 18 EU member states: A comparison of methodologies and the use of evidence." BMJ Open 11.4 (2021).

BibTeX: Download