Chapter 1 Live It Up

unit 3
Physical activity participation and

physiological performance
Outcome 1
Analyse individual and
population levels of
sedentary behaviour and
participation in physical
activity, and evaluate
initiatives and strategies
that promote adherence
to the National Physical
Activity Guidelines
Outcome 2
Use data collectedin
practical activities to
analyse how the major
body and energy
systems work together
to enable movements to
occur, and explain the
fatigue mechanisms and
recoverystrategies
chapter
The human body is

designed for movement.
Physical activity and

participation
Key knowledge
ff Subjective and objective methods of assessing physical activity and
sedentary behaviour including recall surveys or diaries, pedometry,
accelerometry and observational tools, in relation to the National
PhysicalActivity Guidelines
ff Components of socio-ecological models (individual, social environment,
physical environment and policy) and the relationship between the
multiple levels of influences and physical activity
ff The role of government and non-government organisations in
promotingadherence to the National Physical Activity Guidelines in
schools, workplaces and communities, including VicHealth, the National
Heart Foundation, and State and Federal Government departments
ff A range of individual and population-based Australian physical activity
promotion initiatives and strategies
Key skills
ff Compare and contrast subjective and objective methods of assessing
sedentary behaviour and physical activity compliance with the National
Physical Activity Guidelines
ff Compare, measure and evaluate data using subjective and objective
methods of assessing physical activity and sedentary behaviour
ff Identify components of the socio-ecological model
ff Apply a socio-ecological model to critique physical activity strategies
usedby government and non-government organisations to target two
sub-population groups
ff Collect and analyse information on initiatives and strategies aimed at
increasing physical activity levels locally
Sections in this chapter
1.1 Benefits of physical activity
1.2 National Physical Activity Guidelines
1.3 Methods of assessing physical activity levels: subjective and objective
1.4 Elements determining physical activity levels: type, frequency,
durationand intensity
1.5 Socio-ecological model components
1.6 Government roles in promoting National Physical Activity Guidelines
1.7 Non-government roles in promoting National Physical Activity Guidelines
1.8 Australian initiatives and strategies to promote physical activity
1.9 Socio-ecological model and populations
Chapter 1 revision
Summary
Strengthen your understanding
Exam questions
5A
1.1
Benefits
Healthof
related
physical
fitness
activity
components
aerobic capacity/power, anaerobic capacity/power
Key concept Regular physical activity is beneficial to your health and

psychological wellbeing.
Physical activityis defined as any
movement of the body produced by

skeletal muscles and that results in
energy expenditure.
Being active is good for you in so many ways. It can provide a large range of
enjoyable experiences, make you feel good and improve your health, and it is a
great way to relax and enjoy the company of your friends.
There is evidence to show that human movement is essential for the health and
maintenance of our bodies. Regular participation in moderate-intensity physical
activity reduces the risk of disease. Medical research shows a strong link between
regular physical activity and substantial health benefits, and researchers are now
promoting this as a form of preventative medicine.
In todays modern world technology has enabled us to save time, but has
reduced much of the physical activity in our everyday life. An office worker living
in Australia today would, on average, walk 16 kilometres per day less than a person
who lived in Australia in the nineteenth century. If we compare our modern way
of living with that of hunter-and-gatherer societies such as the Ach of Paraguay
or the Kalahari Bushmen we find that we walk on average 12 kilometres a day less
than people in these societies. These people do not suffer from the chronic diseases
associated with modern living.
Those who maintain regular physical activity throughout life are less likely to
lose mobility as they reach old age. They can continue to walk distances, climb
stairs, stand from a seated position and maintain a sense of balance. People who
engage in heavy housework, do gardening, play sport or have physically active jobs
are more likely to maintain mobility in later life.
Regular physical activity can:
ff help prevent heart disease,
stroke and high blood pressure
ff reduce the risk of developing
type 2 diabetes and some
cancers
ff help build and maintain healthy
bones, muscles and joints,
reducing the risk of injury
ff reduce stress
ff promote psychological
wellbeing.
Figure 1.1 Contrasting lifestyles

Kalahari Bushman and an office
worker
4 UNIT 3 Physical activity participation and physiological performance
Social benefits
Physical and mental benefits
Improves social skills/networks

Enhances self-esteem/confidence
Encourages family/community links
Reduces isolation/loneliness
Improves quality of life

Manages weight
Improves sleep
Develops motor skills
Improves concentration
Enhances memory and learning
Physical activity
participation
Environmental benefits
Economic benefits
Reduces traffic congestion

Reduces air pollution
Reduces greenhouse emissions
(due to reduced car usage)
Reduces noise pollution
Creates safer places due
to more people being outside
Creates employment
Reduces absenteeism
Reduces crime
Increases health savings
Supports local business
Increases tourism
Health benefits
Reduces risk of coronary heart disease
Reduces risk of stroke
Lowers both blood cholesterol and triglycerides and increases
high-density lipoproteins (HDL) the good ones
Lowers risk of high blood pressure and helps reduce blood
pressure in people who already have hypertension (high blood
pressure)
Lowers risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus
Reduces risk of colon cancer
Helps achieve and maintain healthy body weight
Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
Promotes psychological wellbeing and reduces stress
Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints
Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about
Figure 1.2 Benefits of physical

activity
CHAPTER 1 Physical activity and participation 5
5A
Health related fitness components

capacity/power, anaerobic capacity/power
1.1 Benefits ofaerobic
physical activity
Middle rage
By Lissa Christopher
In your 40s or 50s? Its crunch time if you want to help delay the ravages of
ageing. But its also the time of life when many people are busy and stressed.
LissaChristopher reports.
Physical activity is a powerful drug. Its potential side-effects include feelings
ofeuphoria and the prevention, discouragement and amelioration of a host of
chronic diseases. It does, however, have one major fault: it doesnt come in tablet
form.
The fact is that fewer than half of all adult Australians are doing even the
recommended minimum: 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week.
Whats more, those least likely to be physically active are those who may stand to
gain the most from it: the middle-aged. Our middle years are when the early signs
of chronic and increasingly common lifestyle diseases such as Type2 diabetes and
cardiovascular disease start to manifest, but when positive lifestyle changes can still
stem the tide and stave off early death or decrepitude.
The oft-touted benefits of regular physical activity and there are a multitude,
from improving your mood to reducing your risk of colon cancer make getting
on with it seem like a no-brainer, but you only have to look at the lives of those in
their 40s and 50s, most of whom are baby boomers, to see why it can be a tricky
proposition: theyre busy. Theres work. Theres often family. Some still have children
at school and are also caring for their own elderly parents.
The baby boomers are juggling a lot of commitments, too busy taking care of
everyone else, says Professor Billie Giles-Corti, the director of the Centre for the Built
Environment and Health at the University of Western Australia. But its really about
taking some time out for yourself even three 10-minute bouts throughout the
daywill make a difference to your health.
Lack of time, however, is not the whole story. Even people who are active dont
feel they have enough time to do all the things they need to do, says Giles-Corti.
Its about priority, and thats the interesting thing. If you are really motivated to
do it, you will fit it in. People say they dont have time but the truth is theyve got
something else theyd rather do.
Researchers are starting to look at this vexed issue of why people do or dont
exercise from new angles. Twenty years ago the focus was very much on individual
responsibility, says Associate Professor Gavin Turrell, from the School of Public Health
at the Queensland University of Technology.
Now, given a distinct lack of success, the physical environment, social context
andgovernment policy are also being scrutinised.
You might think that becoming sedentary is just an inevitable part of getting
older, says Giles-Corti, but when we look at data from the Netherlands and
Germany, for example, a lot more people who are in their 70s still cycle and
walk than do here. Thats partly because of the environment in which they live and
their culture. Where you support people to walk and cycle, people are more likely
to do it.
A new Australian study hopes to uncover further clues to the puzzle of the midlife
activity slump. HABITAT is a four-year investigation into changes in physical activity
among 11000 Brisbane residents aged between 40 and 65. It is funded by the
National Health and Medical Research Council and is unique in that it takes into
account a huge range of both subjective individual factors and objectively measured
environmental factors.
It is surveying, for example, participants attitudes towards physical activity and

perceptions of their environment as well as objectively measuring green spaces and
average distance between each persons house and the nearest bus stop, swimming
pool and shop. Factors to be surveyed include the participants health over time,
their access to a motor vehicle, the hilliness of their suburb, and whether or not
theyown a dog.
Giles-Corti was involved with earlier research looking at the interplay between
individual attitudes and environment. In a study that looked at who was walking
30 minutes a day, five times a week, as recommended, she says only 8 per cent
of people who had a poor attitude and lived in a poor environment were walking
as recommended. Twenty-one per cent of those with a poor attitude who lived
in a supportive environment were active and 41 per cent of those with a positive
attitudeand a supportive environment walked as recommended.
A positive outlook in this context, Giles-Corti says, meant a belief that you would
reap benefits from physical activity as well as confidence that you could get it done
despite tight timetables and other challenges.
Research also showed that social connections, whatever your age, were a vital
determinant of physical activity. We know people are more likely to be active if
theres a social component to what they do, Giles-Corti says. Theyre more likely
toexercise if they know someones waiting for them a trainer, a friend or even
adog thats wagging its tail at you, wanting to go for a walk.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 September 2009.
{In todays modern world technology

has enabled us to save time,
but has reduced much of the physical
activity in our everyday life.|
Test your understanding

1 What are the benefits of being active?
2 How has typical daily exercise and activity changed over time?
3 Look at the physical activity chart (figure 1.2) and read the article
Middle rage.
Recreate a chart similar to figure 1.2 that is specifically related to
thearticle.
Apply your understanding

4 Write down some activities you enjoy and determine the physical
benefits of each activity. Share these with a classmate.
5A
1.2
National
Health related
Physical
fitness
Activity
components
Guidelines
KEY CONCEPT National Physical Activity Guidelines have been developed

by the government as a preventative form of medicine to ensure Australias
population remains healthy.
National Physical Activity Guidelines (NPAG) have been established to promote the
importance of physical activity in our daily life. The goal is to get people moving
and make a positive difference to their health.
Weblink
Podcast on the National
Guidelines for Physical
Activity in America
Weblink
Department of Health
and Ageing
Physical activity guidelines for adults

There are four steps to better health for Australian adults.
Together, steps 13 recommend the minimum amount of physical activity you
need to do to enhance your health. They are not intended for high-level tness,
sports training or weight loss. To achieve best results, try to carry out all three steps
and combine an active lifestyle with healthy eating.
Step 4 is for those who are able, and wish, to achieve greater health and tness
benets.
1. Think of movement as an opportunity, not an inconvenience. Where any form of
movement of the body is seen as an opportunity for improving health, not as a
time-wasting inconvenience.
2. Be active every day in as many ways as you can. Make a habit of walking or cycling
instead of using the car, or do things yourself instead of using labour-saving
machines.
Put together at
least 30minutes of
moderate-intensity
physical activity on
most, preferably
all, days.
FIGURE 1.3 Cycling a way to be active
3. Put together at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most,

preferably all, days. You can accumulate your 30 minutes (or more) throughout
the day by combining a few shorter sessions of activity of around 10 to
15 minutes each.
4. If you can, also enjoy some regular, vigorous activity for extra health and tness. This
step does not replace steps 13. Rather it adds an extra level for those who are
able, and wish, to achieve greater health and tness benets.
8
UNIT 3 Physical activity participation and physiological performance
Physical activity guidelines for older adults

Physical activity is also very important for the elderly, and it has many associated
benefits. Many improved health and wellbeing outcomes have been shown to occur
with regular physical activity. These include helping to:
ff maintain or improve physical function and independent living
ff improve social interactions and quality of life, and reduce depression
ff build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, reducing the risk of
injuries from falls
ff reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes
and some cancers.
There are five physical activity recommendations for older Australians. These are
consistent with the recommendations for other age groups.
1. Do some form of physical activity, regardless of age, weight, health problems or
abilities.
2. Be active every day in as many ways as possible, doing a range of physical
activities that incorporate fitness, strength, balance and flexibility.
3. Accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most,
preferably all, days.
4. Start at a level that is easily manageable and gradually build up the
recommended amount, type and frequency of activity.
5. For those who continue to enjoy a lifetime of vigorous physical activity, carry on
doing so in a manner suited to their capability, provided recommended safety
procedures and guidelines are adhered to.
Physical activity recommendations

for12- to 18-year-olds
At least 60 minutes of physical activity every day is
recommended for 12- to 18-year-olds. This can be
built up throughout the day with a variety of activities.
People in this age group should try to be active in as
many ways as possible. Variety is important in providing
a range of fun experiences and challenges and provides
an opportunity to learn new skills.
Physical activity should be done at moderate to
vigorous intensity levels. Examples include:
ff moderate activities like brisk walking, bike riding
with friends, skateboarding and dancing
ff vigorous activities such as football, netball, soccer,
running, swimming laps or training for sport.
Vigorous activities are those that make you huff and
puff. For additional health benefits, 12- to 18-year-olds
should try to include 20 minutes or more of vigorous
activity at least three to four days a week.
They should also make the most of each activity
in their day. For example, they can walk the dog and
replace short car trips with a walk or bike ride.
At least 60 minutes of physical

activity every day is recommended
for 12- to 18-year-olds.
Figure 1.4 Skateboarding is an

enjoyable moderate-intensity
physical activity.
5A

capacity/power,
anaerobic capacity/power
1.2 National aerobic
Physical Activity
Guidelines
Physical activity recommendations
for 5- to 12-year-olds
A combination of moderate and vigorous activities for at least 60 minutes a day is
recommended for 5- to 12-year-olds.
Examples of moderate activities are a brisk walk, a bike ride or any sort of
active play. More vigorous activities will make children huff and puff, and include
organised sports such as football and netball, as well as activities such as ballet,
running and swimming laps. Children typically accumulate activity in intermittent
bursts ranging from a few seconds to several minutes, so any sort of active play will
usually include some vigorous activity.
Figure 1.5 Playing tag is a fun, moderate-intensity physical activity for children.
A combination of moderate and vigorous

activitiesfor at least 60 minutes a day
isrecommended for 5- to 12-year-olds.
Most importantly, children need the opportunity to participate in a variety of
activities that are fun and suit their interests, skills and abilities. Variety will also
offer a range of health benefits, experiences and challenges.
Children shouldnt spend more than two hours a day using electronic media
for entertainment (e.g. computer games, television, internet), particularly during
daylight hours.
Physical activity guidelines for early childhood

Get Up & Grow is a program designed to promote and guide parents on how to
provide the opportunity for their preschool children to be physically active.
Launch of Get Up & Grow

I am very proud to be launching the Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical
Activity Guidelines for Early Childhood, together with my colleague, the Minister for
Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth and Sport, Kate Ellis.
When the Rudd Government came into office we had a commitment to delivering
an education revolution, particularly for early childhood. This isnt just a buzz
word it is a serious commitment to investing in the most important little members
of our community our children.
We are here today to launch one of the down payments on that commitment.
It is clear that as a nation, we needed to focus on a number of key aspects of
childrens education, health and wellbeing. It may be clich to say it, but the future
of our country is in the hands of the young and how we prosper as a nation will be
determined by our children, and our childrens children.
The release of these guidelines today will serve as an important tool for
professionals working in early childhood settings and should be viewed with that in
mind. These are guidelines, based on evidence not laws and rules that must be
obsessively followed.
It would be a shame if we lost sight of the Guidelines important purpose and
that is to build healthier, happier kids.
The facts
More than half of Australian adults are now overweight or obese. This is the legacy
of our lifestyle choices and habits.
The problem is, we are passing our habits onto the next generation. We know
from the National Childrens Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey that we have
problems with overweight and obesity across all age groups. These problems are
leading to a multitude of health problems.
A shocking reality check is the current prediction that the life expectancy for
Australian children alive today will fall 2 years by the time they are 20 years old.
After centuries of rising life expectancy, we are now staring down the barrel of a
decline. Is this the kind of legacy we want to leave?
Government plans for early childhood and tackling obesity
The Rudd Government is deeply committed to ensuring that by the time a child
leaves school good eating and exercise habits are in place.
The time to encourage these habits is not just while they are at school, but before
they even reach school. Families and early childhood settings play an important role.
That is why the Government committed $4.5 million over 5 years to develop the
Get Up & Grow guidelines.
Significantly, the publishing of these guidelines is the very first time Australia has
had national physical activity guidelines for the 1.4 million children who are under
5years of age more than 1 million of whom attend an early childhood setting like
kindergartens and childcare centres.
We now have evidence that apart from the more obvious health benefits of
physical activity, it also improves childrens psychosocial wellbeing.
Physical activity reduces depression, stress and anxiety, and improves selfconfidence, self-esteem, energy levels, sleep quality and concentration.
The Get Up & Grow guidelines were developed by a consortium from the Murdoch
Childrens Research Institute Centre for Community for Child Health, Early Childhood
Australia and the Nutrition Department of Melbournes Royal Childrens Hospital.
Each of these leading-edge organisations is deeply committed to improving
outcomes for children and I welcome them here today for the launch.
Child health and early childhood professionals, families, and state and territory
governments were also extensively involved in this project. Aboriginal and Torres
(continued)
5A

capacity/power,
1.2 National aerobic
Physical Activity
Guidelines
Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse families were consulted as
well. Their involvement in developing the guidelines has resulted in the very highest
quality product for this Australian-first project.
The guidelines are based on existing evidence and thorough research, making
them an important lynchpin to Australians adopting healthier lifestyles. The
guidelines are designed so that they can be used in early childhood settings including
centre-based care, family day care and preschools.
Preventative health agenda
The urgent need for the Government to invest in preventative health is a key theme
of the Health Reform Commissions final report. The National Preventative Health
Strategy also highlights the need for urgent action to prevent hundreds of thousands
of Australians developing preventable diseases between now and 2020.
The strategy emphasises the vital influence of early intervention and education
to help prevent chronic diseases. Recommendations in the report conclude that the
health system needs to nurture a healthy start to life, based on:
ff a partnership with parents and support for families to improve their childrens
health and wellbeing;
ff a life-course approach to help people understand health needs at different stages
of life, including the first 3 years and when they enter primary school
ff three levels of care, including population-wide measures, targeted measures for
those at risk, and intensive measures for those with special needs.
The NHHRC report is clear that if we continue along a business as usual path,
health costs will escalate enormously.
There are a number of Government initiatives to specifically address childhood
obesity and improve the health of children. These include:
ff $25.6 million for Healthy Kids Checks for all 4-year-olds;
ff $2.9 million for the Get Set 4 Life Habits for Healthy Kids Guide for parents of
those receiving the Healthy Kids Check;
ff $12.8 million for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program for
190primary schools to build kitchen facilities and vegetable gardens;
ff $12.2 million to expand the KidsMatter project currently rolled out in 101 schools
across Australia and $6.5 million to develop a KidsMatter project for the early
childhood sector;
ff $124.4 million for the Active After Schools Communities program to encourage
after-school physical activity; and
ff a National Health and Medical Research Council review of the dietary and infant
feeding guidelines.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Rudd Government is deeply committed to the preventative
health agenda.
We want to encourage and improve the health of all Australians, including the
youngest members of our community. We want to instill good living and eating
habits at a young age, so that when our kids grow up, they are able to enjoy a
highquality of life, and pass these habits onto their children.
This is good for the community, good for our health system, good for our
economy, and good for people.
Thats why I am pleased to launch these guidelines which mark an important
milestone in the challenge of becoming a healthier and more active nation.
Source: Department of Health and Ageing website, speech made by the Honourable Nicola Roxon MP,
Minister for Health and Ageing, 22 October 2009.
Physical activity guidelines for babies (01 years)

For healthy development in infants (birth to 1 year), physical activity
particularly supervised, oor-based play in safe environments should be
encouraged from birth. For babies as young as this physically active means having
daily opportunities to move around on their stomach or back in a variety of free
spaces. It also includes practising movements, such as reaching, grasping, pulling
and pushing as well as playing with objects, toys and people.
For healthy development in infants

(birth to 1 year), physical activity . . . should be
encouraged from birth.
Physical activity guidelines for young children (15 years)
In the early years, daily chances for active play lay the foundations for developing
the vital physical, mental and social skills necessary for dealing with everyday
situations.
From the age of 1 to around 5 it is recommended that children be active for at
least 3 hours every day. This may seem like a lot but children are naturally active
and on the go, so short bursts of activity from light (such as building or playing
on the oor) through to vigorous (such as running or jumping) can be spread
throughout the day.
From the age of 1 to around 5 it is

recommended that children be active for at
least 3hours every day.
TEsT your understanding

1 What is the purpose of the NPAG?
2 If we are participating in physical activity for health, what level of
intensity should we aim for?
3 Give three reasons why it is important to establish guidelines for
physical activity for babies.
APPly your understanding

4 After listening to the podcast from Professor Haskell (see weblink on
page 8), do you think a person who is overweight or obese would
benet from a moderate level of exercise for 30 minutes a day?
Explain your answer.
5 Learning activity: promoting the National Physical Activity
Guidelines
Working in groups, devise a promotional strategy to increase the
publics awareness of the National Physical Activity Guidelines for
Australians. Your strategy may be presented in the form of a television
commercial, poster, website, pamphlet or other promotional medium,
or it may involve a combination of these.
CHAPTER 1
13
5A
1.3
Methods
Health related
of assessing
fitness physical
components
activity
levels:
aerobic
subjective
capacity/power,
and objective
KEY CONCEPT Measuring activity levels of the population is important for

providing information to the policy makers (governments) so they can evaluate
existing programs and the success or failure of these programs. Areas of
concern can be assessed and programs improved so objectives are met.
There are a variety of methods used to assess physical activity. They can be grouped
in two categories: subjective and objective. Each method has specific advantages
and disadvantages that must be considered. Physical activity behaviour can be
measured by using a variety of questionnaires, diaries or logs. Physical activity can
be measured by the frequency of movement and its intensity.
Subjective methods of assessing physical activity

Subjective methods of assessing physical activity depend on our own perceptions.
They are predominantly used for measurement in populations.
Self-report methods include a variety of assessment methods such as physical
activity diaries, questionnaires (conducted by an interviewer or completed by
the person themselves) and reports provided by others (e.g. parents reporting on
activity levels of children).
Diaries
Diaries provide a detailed record of individual physical activities undertaken in a
given day, as the activities are completed, or soon after. They tend to be used for
short timeframes of 13 days to a week. They therefore may not truly represent an
individuals long-term physical activity pattern. Diaries require intensive effort by
the person completing them and may even influence the person to change their
physical activities while they are completing the diary.
Logs
Logs record the time participants spend in broad categories of activity (e.g. sitting,
standing, walking). They provide a lot of detail about the type, intensity and
pattern of activity completed during the day, but also require a lot of effort from
the participant to complete accurately, and they can influence the participants
behaviour. On the other hand, they can be very useful for recording specific
activities such as participation in an exercise training program.
Recall surveys
Recall surveys are less likely to influence physical activity behaviour, and generally
require less effort by the respondent than diaries or logs. This method usually
consists of short, simple questionnaires of approximately 5 to 15 items that take up
to 15 minutes to complete. They seek to investigate physical activity patterns in the
recent past (e.g. week, month or year). The main aim of this method is to provide
basic data that can be used to assess physical activity patterns in large populations
or within large groups in the community.
An example of this type of assessment is the SAPAC (Self-administered Physical
Activity Checklist), which requires children to report the amount of time they
spent on a number of common physical activities during the previous day. The
activities represent a range of intensities, plus sedentary pursuits. To validate the
test, the children wear an accelerometer (motion sensor) and a heart-rate monitor
(both objective physical assessment tools) for at least 8 hours. (See figure 1.6.)
SELF-ADMINISTERED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CHECKLIST (SAPAC)

AUSTRALIAN VERSION
Section A
A1 Form version 06/10/2000
A2 Todays date __/__/____
A3 Administrators initials ___
A4 School starting time __:__ (24 hour clock)
A5 School ending time __:__ (24 hour clock)
Activity
A6 Did you participate in physical education class yesterday? NO......1YES......2

A7 If yes, how many minutes long was physical education class? ____ minutes
A8 Did you participate in recess yesterday? NO......1YES......2
A9 If yes, how many minutes of recess did you have? ____ minutes (recess) f
____ minutes (lunch)
B.
Before
school
None (N)
Some (S)
Most (M)
C.
During
school
None (N)
Some (S)
Most (M)
D.
After
school
None (N)
Some (S)
Most (M)
Bicycling
Swimming laps
Gymnastics: bars, beam, trampoline
Exercise: pushups, situps
Weightlifting
Basketball
Netball
Cricket
Baseball/softball
Football (Australian Rules)
Football (Rugby Union or Rugby League)
Soccer
Volleyball
Skating: roller, rollerblade
Hockey: field/ice
Racquet sports
Ball playing: downball/handball
Active games: chase, tag
Outdoor play: climbing trees, hide and seek
Water play
Martial arts
Dance
Outdoor chores: mowing, raking, gardening
Indoor chores: mopping, vacuuming, sweeping
Mixed walking/running
Walking
Running
Other activities:
Before school
After school
TV/video
___ hours plus ___ minutes
Video games and computer games
Figure 1.6 Self-administered Physical Activity Checklist

Source: TD Brown, Monash University & BV Holland, RMIT University. Brown, TD & Holland, BV 2004, Testretest reliability
of the Self-assessed Physical Activity Checklist, Perceptual and Motor Skills, vol. 99, no. 3, part 2, pp. 10991102.
5A

anaerobic
capacity/power
1.3 Methods aerobic
of assessingcapacity/power,
physical activity levels: subjective
and objective
The self-report and recall methods are the most common ways of assessing
physical activity, as they are easy to administer and are inexpensive. However,
problems may occur if respondents experience difficulty recalling events or if they
deliberately misrepresent information. For example, some respondents may report
higher levels of physical activity than actually engaged in because it seems a more
socially desirable response.
Objective methods of assessing physical activity

Objective methods of assessing physical activity often rely on solid data or
observations. These methods are predominantly used for measurement in
individuals. Directly measuring physical activity by physiological monitoring or
motion sensors offers a potential advantage over self-reported data as it reduces
bias from poor memory and over-reporting or under-reporting. Limitations include
the cost of high-quality monitors and the burden placed on the participant and
staff. Both the monitoring of physiological processes related to physical activity,
particularly heart rate, and mechanical or electronic sensors (pedometers, movement
counters and accelerometers) have been used in small-scale studies but not in
large observational trials. These monitors have also been used to validate various
self-reported surveys.
Pedometers
Pedometers, the original motion sensor for measuring physical activity, were
designed to count steps and thus provide a potentially useful measure of distance
walked or run. The participant wears the device, which records the number of steps
taken and estimates the distance walked if the stride length is known. Pedometry
can also be used to estimate physical activity energy expenditure by estimating the
energy cost associated with walking. A total of approximately 10000 steps per day
is considered equivalent to meeting the National Physical Activity Guidelines.
The high variability among pedometers and the lack of a stable calibration
mechanism make them unsuitable for estimating physical activity in either
laboratory or field research. However, they are an excellent personal measure for
level of physical activity.
Figure 1.7 Physical activity
assessment tools: heart rate monitor
and pedometer
Heart-rate telemeters
A heart-rate telemeter is a device (usually a watch) that provides data on a participants
heart-rate response to physical activity. Heart rate is typically used to estimate physical
activity as energy expenditure (oxygen uptake), based on the assumption of a linear
association between heart rate and energy expenditure. Heart rate measured during
daily activities is thus used to establish energy expenditure. One major disadvantage
of heart-rate monitoring is the need to calibrate the device to each individual. Another
limitation is that during low-intensity exercise the relationship between exercise
intensity and heart rate is frequently not linear. At a low level of intensity factors that
affect heart rate such as stress, fear, excitement and changes in body temperature
need to be considered as they may cause a false reading.
Accelerometers
An accelerometer is an electronic device used to assess the acceleration of the body
in certain directions. An accelerometry device is able to:
ff provide detail on the frequency, duration and intensity of the physical activity
being performed
ff provide minute-by-minute information that can be downloaded to a computer
for analysis
ff detect movement patterns throughout a day (e.g. how much time a child
spends in moderate and/or vigorous physical activity).
Electronic motion sensors

Electronic motion sensors have overcome much of the lack of standardisation
and poor quality control associated with mechanical pedometers. Simultaneously
recording the heart rate and motion from sensors on several parts of the body,
and calibrating each individuals heart rate and motion sensor output versus
oxygen uptake for various activities, can provide an accurate estimate of the energy
expenditure profile from physical activity.
Doubly labelled water
By using two stable isotopes (2H2O and H218O), researchers can calculate the rate
of carbon dioxide production in humans over days or weeks. Participants drink a
specified amount of these isotopes according to their body weight, after which their
loss from the body is tracked by analysis (using a mass spectrometer) of isotopes
in urine samples every few days. From these data, oxygen uptake and energy
expenditure can be calculated. This technique has the advantage of obtaining
objective data with little effort by participants. Its disadvantages include a relatively
high cost and the inability to determine the type, intensity, frequency or duration
of any single bout of activity.
Actiheart
The next generation of free-living physical activity assessment is the Actiheart. The
Actiheart is a combined heart rate and movement sensor, which weighs 8 grams
and is waterproof. It uses body movement and heart rate to predict physical
activity energy expenditure (PAEE) during free-living conditions using branched
PAEE prediction equation modelling.
Observation
The aim of observation is to collect data that measure a participants physical activity
by type, and by the time, place and social setting in which it occurs. An observer is
used to accurately describe what the participant does in a physical activity setting.
Some features of this method are as follows:
ff It is very useful for assessing the activity levels of children.
ff It can be used in conjunction with other methods, such as accelerometry, to
provide a more accurate description of physical activity levels.
ff It can be time consuming. However, software products have become available
that enable observations to be entered, stored and analysed, making the process
more useful and appealing.
There are a variety of software observational tools that can be used. Three main
observation systems are explained here.
BEACHES
The BEACHES system (Behaviours of Eating Activity for Childrens Health:

Evaluation System) is designed specifically to assess the physical activity and eating
behaviours of young children, both at home and during preschool recess. It can also
be used in any setting involving children. Assessment includes the recording of:
ff the childs physical location, including selected environmental factors (e.g. the
presence of others, the availability of food)
ff the childs individual physical and eating behaviours
ff additional information that might influence physical activity and eating
behaviours (e.g. interruptions, encouragement from others, the presence of
television).
5A

anaerobic
capacity/power
1.3 Methods aerobic
of assessingcapacity/power,
physical activity levels: subjective
and objective
SOFIT
SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time) is designed to measure

student physical activity, lesson context and teacher behaviour during physical
education classes.
ff Lesson context is categorised as management, knowledge, fitness, skill drills,
game play and free play.
ff Teacher behaviour is coded as promotes fitness, demonstrates fitness, instructs
generally, manages, observes and other.
SOPLAY
SOPLAY (System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth) is used to assess
the physical activity of groups in certain settings. SOPLAY can be used to assess:
ff the number of people in a designated activity area
ff the activity levels of those people at specific times.
It is particularly useful in assessing physical activity in open environments such
as recreational and leisure settings. Environmental aspects that may influence
physical activity (e.g. wind, temperature) are also recorded.
Choosing a method of assessing physical activity

The purpose of the assessment and the number of people to be assessed will also
determine the best method to use to measure physical activity. The purpose of
measuring physical activity at the population level is to record the frequency and
distribution of physical activity in defined population groups (i.e. factors that
influence physical activity) in order to:
ff evaluate current guidelines and trends
ff set recommended levels of physical activity
ff investigate the relationship between physical activity and health conditions
ff allow research to be conducted on large numbers of people, allowing us to
generalise about a wider population.
Table 1.1 provides an overview of the subjective and objective methods of
assessing physical activity.
Table 1.1 Methods of assessing physical activity
Measure
Advantages
Disadvantages
Self-report f
(logs, diaries)
ff Suitable for small groups or individuals

ff Usually easy to complete
ff Able to provide detailed information on contextof
an activity (e.g. location, other participants,
subjectsfeelings)
ff Heavy subject burden (entries completed throughout

the day)
ff Unreliable due to potential misinterpretation or
inaccurate recording
Recall
ff Inexpensive
ff Able to allow large sample size
ff Usually easy to complete
ff Able to provide both quantitative and qualitativedata
ff Unreliable due to potential misinterpretation of

questions
ff Potential for subjectivity or bias (e.g. participants
mayprovide socially desirable responses)
Heart-ratef
telemetry
ff Specific to physiological parameters

ff Easy to use
ff Clear in describing intensity, frequency and duration
ff Simple, quick data collection
ff Potential to provide educational information
ff Limited use in large numbers due to financial cost

ff Some discomfort for participants, especially over
extended periods
ff Use restricted to aerobic activities
ff Factors such as training state need to be
consideredin analysis
ff Variations to heart rate due to personal and
environmental factors (e.g. stress, heat, emotions)
Table 1.1 (continued)
Measure
Advantages
Disadvantages
Pedometry
ff Inexpensive
ff Non-invasive
ff Useful in a variety of settings (e.g. school, workplace)
ff Easy to administer to large groups
ff Potential to promote behaviour change
ff Able to measure a common activity (e.g. walking)
ff Some loss of accuracy when jogging or running

ff Possibility of participant tampering
ff Assessment restricted to walking
ff Potential to be reactive (e.g. could cause
participants to deliberately increase physical
activitywhile being monitored)
Accelerometry
ff Clear in describing intensity, frequency and duration

ff Non-invasive
ff Able to provide minute-by-minute information
ff Usable for extended periods
ff Simple, quick data collection
ff Limited use in large numbers due to financial cost

ff Inaccurate assessment of certain activities
(e.g.inclinewalking, weight loads)
ff Inability to provide behavioural data (e.g. what
people are doing during monitoring)
Observation
ff Able to provide excellent qualitative and

quantitativeinformation
ff Able to target specific physical-activity behaviours
ff Able to ease data collection and recording
throughavailable software programs
ff Training required for observer

ff Number of participants limited due to labour- and
time-intensive data collection
ff Alterations to normal activity patterns due to
observer presence
ff Usage limited to confined settings (e.g.playgrounds)
Source: Reprinted with permission, Welk & Matthews 2002.

1 Complete the Self-administered Physical Activity Checklist (SAPAC).
Digital document
Searchlight ID: doc-1109
Self-administered Physical f
Activity Checklist
2 Learning activity: what is happening in the school playground?

You have been asked to analyse the physical activity patterns of
primary-school children in the school playground throughout the
school day.
(a) What method of analysis would you choose?
(b) Write a report explaining your choice, including your rationale
forwhy other methods were not chosen.

3 Learning activity: how much physical activity are we doing?
Construct a survey to examine the physical activity patterns of a
selected group of people (e.g. family, classmates, friends).
(a) Use the National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians as
thebasis for your survey. Collect data on when, what and how
much physical activity is being undertaken.
(b) Analyse your results, providing suggestions for how the
participantscan incorporate more physical activity into their
livesifrequired.
5A
1.4
Elements
Health related
determining
fitness physical
components
activity
levels: type,
frequency,
aerobic capacity/power,
duration and intensity
KEY CONCEPT The level of intensity at which an individual performs physical

activity has an impact on the long-term health benefits they obtain from such
activity. The intensity level of the activity will be affected by duration and type
of activity, and the benefits to the individuals health will be affected by the
frequency of the activity.
eLesson
Searchlight ID: eles-0468
Perceived exertion
To understand the recommendations of the National Physical Activity Guidelines

(NPAG), it is essential to understand the dimensions of physical activity. These
dimensions include:
ff T = Type. What activity is being undertaken; for example, specific activity
behaviours (bike riding, netball) or domain-based behaviours (occupational,
transport, leisure, household, gardening)?
ff F = Frequency. How many times per week is the activity undertaken?
ff D = Duration. How long is the activity undertaken per day or per week?
ff I = Intensity. At what intensity is the activity undertaken?
There are several simple methods used to assess the intensity of physical activity
undertaken. The simplest is the talk test. This method determines the extent
to which a person has enough breath during the activity to be able to speak
comfortably:
ff Low-intensity level: A person should be able to sing
while doing the activity.
ff Moderate-intensity level: A person should be able to
carry on a conversation comfortably while doing the
activity.
ff Vigorous-intensity level: A person becomes too out of
breath to carry on.
Other methods of assessing physical intensity include
perceived exertion (using the Borg Rating Scale) and
target heart rate.
Perceived exertion refers to how hard the person feels
their body is working. In the Borg Rating Scale it is
based on the performer describing physical sensations
felt during physical activity, such as an increase in heart
rate, breathing rate, sweating and muscle fatigue. The
Borg Rating Scale ranges from 6 to 20, where 6 is no
exertion at all and 20 is maximal exertion.
The target heart rate method determines whether
a persons heart rate is within the target zone during
physical activity:
ff Moderate-intensity level: A persons target heart rate
should be 5070 per cent of maximum heart rate
(MHR).
ff Vigorous-intensity level: A persons target heart rate
should be7085 per cent of maximum heart rate.
Maximum heart rate can be approximated by
subtracting the persons age from 220.
Figure 1.8 The NPAG recommend 30 minutes of

moderate-intensity exercise on most days for adults.
Metabolic equivalent (MET) level

A more exacting measure of intensity is the MET (metabolic equivalent). One MET
equals the energy (oxygen) used by the body as you sit quietly, perhaps while
talking on the phone or reading a book. The harder your body works during the
activity, the higher the MET level.
ff Moderate-intensity activity is an activity that burns 3 to 4 METS.
ff Vigorous-intensity activity is an activity that burns over 6 METS.
(Note: Results will vary according to factors such as age and ability.)
A METis the unit of measurement

for the amount of oxygen used by the
body during physical activity.
{Moderate-intensity
activity is an activity
that burns 3 to
4METs. Vigorousintensity activity
is an activity that
burnsover 6 METs.|
Figure 1.9 Jogging burns 3 to 6 METs.

1 The NPAG explain activity patterns in terms of type, frequency,
duration and intensity. Explain each of these as they relate to the
guidelines for a person aged between 12 and 18 (see page 9).
2 (a) What is a MET?
(b) How does it indicate the level of intensity of activity?
5A
1.5
Socio-ecological
Health related fitness
modelcomponents
components
KEY CONCEPT The socio-ecological model represents a multifaceted

approachto getting people active.
The socio-ecological modelis a

conceptual model used to understand
and influence a persons activity
patterns. It encompasses the
four domains of individual, social
environment, physical environment
andpolicy.
There are many factors that influence a persons engagement in physical activity
programs. Understanding these factors enables programmers to develop programs
that better fit the individual.
The socio-ecological model recognises the dynamic interplay of multiple
dimensions for analysing the determinants of physical activity patterns within the
population. There is not one factor that influences behaviour but many, and these
are constantly changing, as is our behaviour. The underlying core principles of
the socio-ecological model concern the interrelationships among environmental
conditions and human behaviour and wellbeing.
Ecological analyses identify environmental settings as having multiple physical,
social and cultural dimensions that can influence health outcomes. Health is
also influenced by a variety of personal attributes, as well as psychological and
behavioural patterns.
The model provides a multifaceted approach encompassing physical health,
emotional wellbeing and social cohesion in which to study health. It places the
individual in the context in which they live and not as an isolated being. The model
highlights the interaction of the individual with other factors outside their control
social and physical environment influences, and government and organisations
rules, regulations and policies.
Governments promote physical activity. Previous models used to analyse
the effectiveness of government physical activity policies have been singular in
dimension (they only focused on the individual) and only explained part of the
reason for the lack of program uptake. This model provides a broader framework in
which to review physical activity policy and its success. The socio-ecological model
consists of four domains: individual, social environment, physical environment and
policy. Health promotional strategies targeting the individual and social environment
domains address personal characteristics and interpersonal relationships. Strategies
targeting the outer levels of the model the physical environment and policy
domains encompass the environmental issues that influence health behaviour.
Policy
Physical
environment
Social
environment
Individual
Figure 1.10 The domains of the

socio-ecological model
The socio-ecological model is used to better understand human behaviour

and its interaction with the social and physical environment, and to understand
the effect policy decisions made by governments and organisations have on the
behaviour of individuals and communities. A real-life example of a socio-ecological
model is shown in figure 1.11.
Individual domain
The individual domain is at the centre of the model. At this level self-efficacy,
values, beliefs, attitudes, knowledge and preferences are all important factors. But
this model also recognises the external factors that are important in influencing
behaviour, such as socioeconomic status, job status and educational level.
The individual domainrecognises

the personal beliefs, attitudes and
characteristics that influence the
uptake of activity.
Social environment domain

The social environment domain is the first of the external forces acting on the
individual. The influence of people close to us affects our behaviour. At this level,
we consider the social interaction of family and friends. These primary interactions
represent the associations that provide social identity and role definition.
This domain also includes all those individuals, businesses, institutions
and organisations that collectively comprise the larger societal fabric. Schools,
workplaces and community organisations, for example, influence our behaviour
in very real ways, encouraging and supporting active behaviour by providing
showers and changing rooms. They also develop the cultural attitudes of people
by commending and congratulating those people involved in healthy lifestyles. It
is at this level that many social norms are established the developing of social
networks, standards and practices.
The social environment domain

includes the influences of family,
friends, peers and organisations on
theindividual.
Board of Directors
Community Choices 2010
Steps Leadership Team
Tobacco Free
Coalition of
Clark County
Second Hand
Smoke Task
Force
Community
Awareness/
Communications
Interventions Team
Active
Community
Environments
Interventions Team
Healthy Food
Access Intervention
Team
Health
Systems
Interventions
Team
Family Resource
Center Interventions
Team
Schools
Interventions
Team
Worksite
Interventions
Team
Figure 1.11 Clark Countys socioecological model for creating a

healthier community: an example
ofasocio-ecological model
5A

aerobic
capacity/power,
1.5 Socio-ecological
model
components
Physical environment domain
The physical environment domain
includes the influences of the
natural and built environment on the
individuals ability to be active.
The physical environment domain includes the influences of the natural and built
environment on the individuals ability to be active. Human health and wellbeing
is reliant on a healthy physical environment. The physical environment includes
both the built environment and the natural environment the air we breathe and
the water we drink. The built environment includes roads, parks, public transport,
housing, shops, commercial business and factories. These may discourage or
encourage activity depending on their design and location. For example, busy
streets tend to discourage walking, whereas the provision of a gym at work and
suitable policies would encourage physical activity.
For people to be able to engage in active living, good urban planning is required.
This includes planning for spaces that encourage active recreational pursuits as
well as spaces for everyday living, such as open spaces for games; dog parks for
walking and running dogs; natural parks; well-designed paths for jogging, walking
and cycling; and street lighting. These need to be close to home and be places
where people feel safe.
Policy domain
The policy domain is the policies,
regulations and laws by which we live,
which impact on the individuals ability
to lead a healthy life.
Policy is defined as an authoritative decision made by a local, state or federal

governing body. The policy domain is the policies, regulations and laws by which
we live, which impact on the individuals ability to lead a healthy life. Environmental
change would be included in this level, as it is often achieved through policy
decisions.
Policies of workplaces and schools that promote
and encourage activity are important in developing
a healthy workforce and nation. Government policy
and funding for healthy places and parks, programs
to provide training and skills, funding of sports
grounds and clubs, and policy regulations about
charges and taxes for amateur sports clubs are areas
in which policy can assist to encourage activity.
Environmental change often involves a tangible
change in a community or organisation, whereas
social structural changes involve more normative or
conceptual changes. This is the broadest level of the
model and can influence all the other levels.
Figure 1.12 Healthy parks encourage physical activity

the Healthy Parks, Healthy People campaign inVictoria is
an example of policy assisting to encourage activity.
1 Explain why the socio-ecological model has been

adopted as the preferred model to promote
physicalactivity in the population.
2 Explain how the environmental aspects of the
modeltranscend the domains.
3 Using the socio-ecological model, plan a walking

group in your neighbourhood. What planning f
and consultation would be required within and
across domains? Use the Clark County model to
assist you.
1.6
Government roles in promoting National Physical

Activity Guidelines
KEY CONCEPT The result of modern living and sedentary lifestyles is the rise
in preventable diseases. Governments recognise preventative medicine is
more cost-effective than treating disease. The benefits of physical activityon
apersons health and wellbeing are extremely well documented and
backedwith medical research. Governments have developed National
PhysicalActivity Guidelines to improve the health of the population.
World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority
for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing
leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting
norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical
support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends. Recognising the
unique opportunity that exists to formulate and implement an effective strategy
for substantially reducing deaths and disease burden worldwide by improving
diet and promoting physical activity, WHO adopted the Global Strategy on Diet,
Physical Activity and Health in May 2004. The goals of this strategy are to:
ff reduce risk factors for chronic diseases that stem from unhealthy
diets and physical inactivity through public health actions
ff increase awareness and understanding of the influences of diet and
physical activity on health and the positive impact of preventive
interventions
ff develop, strengthen and implement global, regional and national
policies and action plans to improve diets and increase physical
activity that are sustainable, comprehensive and actively engage all
sectors
ff monitor science and promote research on diet and physical activity.
Healthy diets and regular, adequate physical activity are major
factors in the promotion and maintenance of good health throughout
the entire life course. WHO recognises that bringing about changes
in dietary habits and patterns of physical activity will require the
combined efforts of many stakeholders in public and private sectors
over several decades.
Recent health studies in Australia indicate the need for government
and non-government agencies to promote the National Physical
Activity Guidelines. Physical inactivity has been estimated to account
for 6.6 per cent of the burden of disease and injury in Australia and
rates second only to tobacco smoking. It also is responsible for 22per
cent of heart disease cases, 11per cent of stroke cases, 14per cent of
diabetes cases and 10per cent of breast cancer cases. Physical inactivity
is responsible for an estimated 8000 deaths per year in Australia, and
costs the health system at least $400 million in direct health care costs.
Fifty-four per cent of Australian adults are not doing enough
physical activity to achieve health benefits. Parents fears for the safety
of their children is the most significant barrier to increasing fitness.
Participating in sport and active recreation activities also has positive
social and psychological effects including increased self-esteem, better
development of life skills, decreased involvement in risky behaviours
such as drug taking and an increase in academic achievement.
Figure 1.13 Unhealthy eating and

physical inactivity are linked to
chronic disease.
5A

aerobic
capacity/power,
anaerobic
capacity/power
1.6 Government
roles in promoting
National Physical
Activity Guidelines
In line with WHO, the Victorian government has adopted a social model of
health to guide its approach to health promotion. Health promotion is about
preventing disease and promoting wellbeing by:
ff providing people with the information, support and motivation to encourage
and enable them to adopt healthy lifestyles
ff changing peoples life circumstances to remove the social, economic and
environmental barriers to adopting these healthier lifestyles.
Figure 1.14 Physical activity can

prevent many common diseases.
The social model of health approach requires the involvement of a wide range
of organisations in addressing the risks of physical inactivity and unhealthy eating:
ff nationwide agencies
ff state government agencies with direct health promotion responsibilities
ff state government agencies that influence the wider environment
ff local councils
ff non-government agencies.
Federal Department of Health and Ageing

The federal Department of Health and Ageing is Australias governing body on health
issues. Australias health system is considered world class there is universal and
affordable access to high-quality medical, pharmaceutical and hospital services, and
help for people to stay healthy through health promotion and disease prevention
activities. The department has a diverse set of responsibilities, but throughout all
areas their vision of Better health and active ageing for all Australians holds fast.
The department aims to strengthen evidence-based policy advising, and improve
program management, research, regulation and partnerships with other government
agencies, consumers and stakeholders. The focus on healthy lifestyles, prevention
and early intervention and a best-practice handling of chronic disease is one of
many priorities of the department. The better management of preventable diseases
is an important priority of health departments across the world.
State government agencies

Agencies with direct health promotion responsibilities include the Department of
Human Services (DHS), the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth)
and schools.
Go for your life Secretariat

Go for your life is an initiative of the Victorian
government that aims to promote healthy
eating and increase physical activity levels.
The Go for your life (GFYL) Secretariat is
part of the Department of Human Services.
The secretariat is responsible for:
ff administering the GFYL initiative
ff delivering the GFYL communications
strategy
ff influencing other departments to
incorporate health promotion so that it
is mainstreamed across government
ff managing an evaluation of the GFYL
initiative.
VicHealth
The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) was established by the
Victorian Parliament under the Tobacco Act 1987 with a mandate to promote good
health for all Victorians. The objectives of VicHealth are to:
ff fund activity related to the promotion of good health, safety and the prevention
of disease
ff increase awareness of programs for promoting good health in the community
through the sponsorship of sports, the arts and popular culture
ff encourage healthy lifestyles in the community and support activities involving
participation in healthy pursuits
ff fund research and development activities in support of these activities.
VicHealth works in partnership with local government, organisations,
communities and individuals from a broad range of sectors including sport,
community, urban planning, transport, local government, education and the arts.
Fundamental to its success is the strength of these partnerships.
VicHealth investments target the greatest preventable risk factors for ill health:
smoking, poor nutrition, harmful use of alcohol, lack of physical activity, social and
economic exclusion and the effects of UV exposure. VicHealth plays a significant
role in supporting organisations to promote and encourage increased physical
activity. It continues to work with government and community organisations
to expand opportunities for participation in organised sport, active recreation,
walking and cycling. VicHealth also supports research into models of good practice
for increasing physical activity participation rates for:
ff children
ff Indigenous communities
ff new arrival communities
ff people with a disability
ff people experiencing disadvantage due to social, economic or geographic
circumstances.
VicHealth has a very important role at the state level for promoting a healthy
lifestyle for all the people in the state.
Figure 1.15 Go for your life is for all

family members being active with
the family can be fun.
5A

aerobic
capacity/power,
anaerobic
capacity/power
1.6 Government
roles in promoting
National Physical
Activity Guidelines
Schools
Victorian schools are required to deliver health, physical and sports education to
meet the curriculum requirements of the Department of Education (DoE). The
Victorian curriculum guidelines for the provision of physical and sports education
are:
ff 2030 minutes per day of physical education for students in Prep to year 3
ff 3 hours per week of physical education and sport, with a minimum provision
of 50 per cent of physical education, for students in years 4 to 6
ff a minimum of 100 minutes each week of physical education and a minimum of
100 minutes each week of timetabled sport for students in years 7 to 10.
It is important for schools to promote and engage students in healthy practice,
as the average child spends almost 50 per cent of their waking hours in school.
Schools also reach children from varied racial and socioeconomic backgrounds,
who are at times disadvantaged in the opportunity to engage in physical activity
due to differing cultural expectations and financial considerations. The Crawford
report, published in 2010, is a report commissioned by the Australian government
to review the Australian sports system so it would meet future challenges. The
report recognises the importance of physical education in schools to promote
healthy lifestyles. It recommends that physical education should be included in
phase 1 of the National Curriculum and not be delayed until phase 2.
Case study 1: the school

A primary school in South Australia with approximately 600 students
What they did
The school identified that health and physical activity was a priority for the school
community and developed a strategic plan. In line with this plan, the school has
implemented a range of activities aimed at promoting student participation in
physical activity.
What worked
A dedicated sports coordinator is employed 2 days a week. Through the sports
coordinator, the school has made links with local community groups, such as the
bowling club and aquatic centre. As a result, students are able to participate in a
range of activities and sports clinics, and use local community facilities to which they
might not otherwise have had access. The sports coordinator also leads a range of
lunchtime events such as dance clubs, frisbee throwing, golf days and walking.
In addition, the school has invested in additional resources for use by the students
(e.g. equipment, games painted on to the concrete). The school actively promotes
physical activity as an integral part of family life. For example, the school is trialling
the introduction of sports homework and students are sent home with tasks to
do with their families. The school newsletter also promotes the benefits of regular
physical activity. A group of parents successfully applied for funds to increase parent
participation in the school. One of the events they organised was a Life. Be in it
activities day for families.
Digital documents
Case study 2
Case study 3
Case study 4
What helped
ff Having a staff member dedicated to the role of sports coordinator
ff Supportive school staff
ff School leadership support
ff High profile given to the issue and supported by parents
ff Whole school approach
ff Children enjoy the program and support it
ff Parents actively support the program
State government agencies influencing the wider

environment
Other state government agencies have programs that support the direct health
promotion goals of DHS, VicHealth, local councils and schools. These include:
ff Department for Victorian Communities (DVC), through Sports and
Recreation Victoria (SRV), which promotes and supports physical activity
across Victoria
ff Office of Senior Victorians (OSV), which promotes positive ageing in the
community through social connectedness and physical activity
ff Office for Youth (OfY), which promotes positive body image through the
teenagers section of Go for your life
ff Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), through its influence on
the planning scheme
ff Department of Infrastructure (DoI), through the provision of active transport
strategies and programs
ff VicRoads, through the planning for, and provision of, bicycle and pedestrian
facilities.
Local councils
Under the 1993 general amendment to the Health Act 1958, local councils have
a legislative responsibility for public health planning and health promotion. To
meet this responsibility they must develop a Municipal Public Health Plan (MPHP)
every 3 years and consult with DHS on this plan. Councils are also responsible
for providing facilities to meet the recreational, sports and leisure needs of their
communities, and for planning for healthy living environments.
The City of Kingston, at the Healthy Balance Conference held in Melbourne in
2002, outlined its strategic plan and highlighted 10 ways it planned to improve
community health:
1. Leisure Needs Study
2. Open Space Strategy
3. Feasibility Study for a Netball Facility
4. Cultural Values and their Impact on Sports Participation
5. Women in Sport
6. Older Adults Leisure Needs Study
7. Skateboard Strategy
8. Sports 2000 8 growth sports
9. Open space master plans
10. Leisure Needs of Shift Workers.
These strategies identified changing demands and pressures in the community to
provide opportunities to be active. The strategies also recognised the specific needs
of several populations within the community.
National planning guide

Local governments have an important part to play in reinforcing, promoting and
implementing federal and state policy. A national planning guide is being developed
that addresses the relationship between peoples health and the built environment.
The planning group includes the Australian Local Government Association, the
Heart Foundation of Australia and the Planning Institute of Australia.
The Healthy Spaces & Places project, with funding assistance from the
Department of Health and Ageing, aims to promote ongoing development and
improvement of built environments to facilitate lifelong active living and promote
good health outcomes for Australians.
5A

aerobic
capacity/power,
anaerobic
capacity/power
1.6 Government
roles in promoting
National Physical
Activity Guidelines
Long-term planning, policy and infrastructure measures are required to address
the urban obesity-promoting environment. This requires reorientation of transport
policy to prioritise and enable walking, cycling and public transport options, and
the development of health-promoting policies to support increases in urban density.
ff There is a need to build new and redevelop existing neighbourhoods to
provide infrastructure and services for recreational physical activity, including
accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists to shops, workplaces, public transport
and services.
ff It is also important that there are high-quality and usable public open spaces
that cater for different target groups such as children, adolescents, adults
and older Australians. These spaces should enable walking as well as active
recreation and sport.
ff Ten per cent of all car trips are less than 1 kilometre (the equivalent of a
10-minute walk); 30 per cent are less than 3 kilometres. There are substantial
direct benefits in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions when people
choose to walk or cycle rather than drive.
People engaging in regular physical activity locally can also engender a sense
of belonging in a community. Neighbourhoods and cities that are designed to
encourage active lifestyles can effect improvements in peoples health.
{It is also important that there are high-quality

andusable public open spaces that cater for
different target groups such as children,
adolescents, adults and older Australians.
Thesespaces should enable walking as well as
active recreation and sport.|

1 What is the role of WHO?
2 Which federal government department is responsible for health?
3 Physical inactivity is responsible for an estimated 6.6 per cent of
disease and injury in Australia. What percentages of heart disease,
stroke, diabetes and breast cancer are attributed to inactivity?
4 Explain the function of the Go for you life Secretariat.
5 Explain the three key principles of the Healthy Spaces and
Placesproject.

6 The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE),
Departmentof Infrastructure (DoI) and VicRoads all have an
importantrole in developing avenues for people to be active.
Suggestways the policies of these departments need to
complementeach other to encourage active travel.
7 The City of Kingston has established a strategy for developing
ahealthy community. Research your local council. Explain steps
itistaking to develop a healthy community.
1.7
Non-government roles in promoting National

Physical Activity Guidelines
KEY CONCEPT Promoting an active lifestyle requires a joint effort from

non-government and government organisations.
Non-government organisations (NGOs) play a critical role in promoting health at
the federal, state and local levels. Some better-known examples of NGOs in the
health promotion area are the Heart Foundation (Victoria), Diabetes Australia
Victoria and the Cancer Council Victoria. A few NGOs and their roles are explained
in this section.
Australian General Practice Network (AGPN)

The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) is the peak national
body representing 119 divisions of general practice and their state-based
organisations across Australia. The network delivers local health solutions
through general practitioners.
Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundations vision and mission for Australians is to have the best
cardiovascular health in the world, and to reduce suffering and death from
heart, stroke and blood vessel disease in Australia. The Heart Foundation
aims to achieve these goals by:
ff supporting and informing people with, and at risk of, cardiovascular
disease by providing comprehensive information and guidance on
how to minimise their risk. The foundation works in partnership with
all levels of government, other health organisations, the media and
community groups to implement policies and programs that improve the
cardiovascular health of Australians. It also works to bridge gaps in care
through programs specifically targeting those Australians at higher risk of
cardiovascular disease.
ff promoting 30 minutes of moderate activity a day and providing advice for
starting walking groups in the local community. The foundation provides
advice about exercise programs and where to find suitable programs. It
also encourages all levels of the community to be active, from children
with the Jump rope for heart program to the more senior with walking.
Figure 1.16 The Heart Foundations
Jump rope for heart program is a
funway to be active.
Diabetes Australia
Diabetes Australia aims to inform the public about diabetes and preventative
measures, and to inform those with diabetes how best to manage diabetes. Regular
physical activity is recommended as a preventative measure for type 2 diabetes,
and for those with diabetes it is recommended that they discuss the type of exercise
with a doctor.
It is estimated that up to 60 per cent of type 2 diabetes can be prevented. People
at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and even prevent this disease by following a
healthy lifestyle. This includes:
ff maintaining a healthy weight
ff performing regular physical activity
ff making healthy food choices
ff managing blood pressure
ff managing cholesterol levels
ff not smoking.
5A

aerobic
capacity/power,
anaerobic
capacity/power
1.7 Non-government
roles
in promoting National Physical
Activity Guidelines
Regular exercise is an important part of diabetes management. For a person with
diabetes exercise helps:
ff insulin to work better, which will improve diabetes management
ff control weight
ff lower blood pressure
ff reduce risk of heart disease
ff reduce stress.
Ideally, a person with type 2 diabetes should be doing about 30 minutes of
exercise every day. This can be done in three 10-minutes sessions. They should
aim for moderate-intensity exercise. This means the person should still be able to
talk as they exercise, without becoming breathless. These recommendations are in
keeping with the National Physical Activity Guidelines.
Cancer Council of Australia

The Cancer Council of Australia reconfirms the benefits of regular physical activity
in the prevention of disease. They recommend people with cancer also engage in
regular physical activity in line with the National Physical Activity Guidelines after
consultation with their doctor.
Workplaces
Figure 1.17 Workplace physical

activity programs have benefits for
employees and employers.
According to WHO, workplace physical activity programs can reduce sick leave by
up to 32 per cent and increase productivity by up to 52 per cent.
Benefits for the workplace include a reduction in sick days and injuries and
therefore less absenteeism and rehabilitation costs. Research indicates that
productivity, efficiency and staff morale can increase with the introduction of
physical activity.
Participants in physical activity programs report that exercise helps them to
improve their mental concentration, stamina, reaction time and memory. They are
more alert and experience a better rapport with co-workers. They enjoy work more
than non-participants.
Workplace physical activity initiatives are a good investment as employees
health is directly related to the costs of sick leave and absenteeism. A workplace
that supports employees physical activity can also attract and maintain quality
employees, improving the social environment and corporate image.
The South Australian be active website provides advice about what employers
can do to encourage physical activity in the workplace. This includes:
displaying motivational or informative posters, signs or brochures about the benefits
of physical activity and some tips on getting active
promoting and encouraging employees to use the stairs, and using footprint
stickers to guide people towards the stairs rather than to thelift
promoting walking meetings, lunchtime walks and 5- to 10-minute walk breaks
during the day
providing bicycle racks or alternative secure bicycle storage to encourage people to
cycle to work
providing information on local opportunities for physical activity.
{According to WHO,
workplace physical
activity programs can
reduce sick leave by
up to 32 per cent and
increase productivity
by up to 52 per cent.|
Source: Government of Australia be active website, www.beactive.com.au.
Advantages of physical activity in the workplace include:

ff health and wellbeing benefits including physical, mental, environmental and
social benefits
consistent high standard of work
improved social environment
reduced stress in the workplace
reduced sick leave
improved work productivity
increased job satisfaction and staff morale.
The Cancer Council Victoria Employment Policy Section 9 provides details
concerning employees health and wellbeing. The Cancer Council explicitly
encourages physical activity by conducting yoga sessions at lunchtimes, providing
facilities for bike riders to lock their bikes, and providing shower and locker
facilities. It encourages participation in Ride to Work Day and pays the entry fee for
the BRW Triathlon. In addition to these measures it has a Nutrition and Physical
Activity Policy and supports social networking by offering staff activities and
events. Within the Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy it details such suggestions
as catch up meetings may be held as staff walk and staff are encouraged to walk
to meetings within 2 km from the office.
The Customs Department has found a drop in absenteeism since a range of
changes were implemented (e.g. health seminars, health and fitness testing, exercise
programs and flu vaccinations for staff).
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
{The South
Australian be active
website provides
advice about what
employers can
do to encourage
physical activity in
theworkplace.|
Building better brains, bodies and bottom lines

By Nick Miller
Joanna Reilly is not unfit. But she felt that, thanks to her
job,she was sinking into an unfit lifestyle.
Its a desk job, really. We do have meetings, but a lot of
my time is spent on emails and working on documents,
theHR manager says. I found it was very easy to sit
down at my computer in the morning, go go go, then its
lunchtime so I pop out and get lunch, then just sit back
down and go, go, go.
Thats why, eight weeks ago, she signed up for a new
Pilates class offered by her employer. It was employer-
subsidised, easy to book on the company intranet, and

classes were in-house so it was just a matter of popping
upstairs, spending 45 minutes breathing and stretching,
thena quick shower and she was back in action.
Already shes feeling the difference. When I got stagnant
and stressed at my desk, I could feel my blood pressure rising
and my breath getting shallow, she says. I was running on
adrenaline. But now I seem more relaxed; when something
comes up I feel its all right.
Shes even planning to join a nearby gym, the fee also
subsidised by her employer. If the health gurus get their way,
Reillys story is going to become much more common.
(continued)
5A

aerobic
capacity/power,
anaerobic
capacity/power
1.7 Non-government
roles
in promoting National Physical
Activity Guidelines
When the Australian Governments preventative health
taskforce brought down its 300-page report this week,
attention focused on the big-ticket anti-obesity proposals:
taxes and restrictions on junk food. But fat and salt arent
theonly culprits in the obesity plague. Another is the
modernsedentary lifestyle. The march of technology leaves
us with ever fewer reasons to move.
Prolonged sitting and insufficient physical activity have
become a part of daily life for many people, the report says.
Changes in transport, the nature of work, labour-saving
devices and less active leisure activities have all had negative
effects on daily energy expenditure.
In adults, the workplace is one of the main settings for
this epidemic of inactivity. We spend more of our days tied
to our desks, glued to the screens, emailing conversations
tocolleagues half a minutes walk away.
Insurer Medibank Private, Reillys employer, recently took
part in research which exposed how bad things have become.
It equipped 131 employees with accelerometers, tracking
how vigorous their activity was over a typical work week.
The results were grim. More than three-quarters f
77 per cent of time spent at work is sedentary. Most of
the rest of the time, the subjects barely got above a walk.
Whats worse, the participants had no idea things were
that bad. When interviewed, two-thirds believed they hit
the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity
activity (such as a brisk walk) each week. The accelerometers
exposed the real figure: less than half.
The taskforce report partly blamed job inducements that
are anti-exercise: a company car, or subsidised car parking.
Itsuggested extending fringe benefits tax to healthier
options such as public transport fare rebates, or bicycle
maintenance vouchers. But it also wants workplaces to
play amore active part in pushing people up out of their
ergonomic chairs.
Workplaces could offer [health] risk assessment and
risk modification programs, nutritional education and
physical activity embedded in, or in association with, regular
daily work practice, the report says. Incentives could be

1 The Heart Foundation, Diabetes Australia and
Cancer Council of Australia all recommend regular
physical activity in line with the National Physical
Activity Guidelines. Can you explain why this is?
2 In what ways can physical activity be encouraged
inthe workplace?
providedto employers to reduce the chronic disease risk

profile of their employees.
Similar ideas are already government policy COAG last
year agreed on a healthy workers initiative where state
governments would be funded to deliver healthy living
programs in workplaces. Victorias WorkHealth program,
after a slow start, has provided health checks to thousands
of workers, looking for the risk factors of diabetes and heart
disease. The taskforce suggests such programs should be
offered as a standard condition of employment.
The report also suggests roping in private health insurers.
With changes to the law, they could provide workers with
health screening. And they are keen to do that, and more.
In the past few years preventative health has become the
mantra of insurers, including Medibank, HCF and BUPA.
There is a triangle of interests between the health insurer,
the customer who is an employee, and the employer, says
Dr Christine Bennett, chief medical officer at BUPA. A healthy
worker is a happy worker. They are also a more productive
worker, and cheaper to insure. Everyone wins.
Increasingly, BUPA is working with employers, moving
into a role where we deliver wellness services in the
workplace.
BUPA offers a program, in2life, to corporate clients,
selling insurance through them to employees, but adding
online health risk assessments, follow-up advice, and
discounts for nutrition services.
Similarly, Medibanks Health Solution team of trained
nurses has done more than 6000 health screens in the past
year, and reinforced the importance of diet and exercise.
The company also offers corporate clients tailored health
promotion campaigns, health fairs, and seminars.
Bennett says: If they live long, healthy and happy lives,
its good for all. We can reduce unnecessary health spending
and avoid preventable health care. Thats really good for the
customer, and the customers are helping keep the cost of
health insurance affordable.
We are still learning what will work.
Source: The Age, 5 September 2009.
Association President. Staff morale is low and there

is high absenteeism. You have read about the many
benefits of a workplace physical activity policy for
companies and those who work in these companies.
Your boss is not known to exercise and is rather
mean when it comes to spending money on staff.
How would you convince your boss to implement
a workplace activity program? How would you
implement the program?
3 Read the article Building better brains, bodies and

bottom lines. You are the newly appointed Staff
1.8
Australian initiatives and strategies to promote

physical activity
KEY CONCEPT We are becoming less healthy, we have inefficient

transport systems and our environments are under increasing pressure
toaccommodateour needs.
The following initiatives reflect international as well as
Australian initiatives. Active Travel is a widely accepted
international initiative, as is Walk21. Getting people
to include physical activity in their daily routine is
crucial to improving the health of communities.
Active Travel
Active Travel is a national and
international program to promote
walking, cycling and leaving the
car at home for short journeys.
Part of Active Travel is making the
neighbourhood safe, with paths
for walking and cycling.
Walk21
Walk21 is an international group that addresses
the issues of making cities liveable and promoting walking
within cities. The groups 2010 international conference was held
in The Hague, with the theme being Getting Communities Back on
their Feet. In 2006 this conference was conducted in Melbourne.
Walk21 encourages people to support the International Charter for Walking:
Figure 1.18 World health is

everyones responsibility.
Walking is convenient, it needs no special equipment, is self-regulating and

inherently safe. Walking is as natural as breathing.
John Butcher, Founder of Walk21, 1999
The people of the world are facing a series of inter-related, complex problems. The
quality and amount of walking as an everyday activity, in any given area, is an
established and unique primary indicator of the quality of life.
Built on extensive discussions with experts throughout the world this Charter
shows how to create a culture where people choose to walk. It identifies the needs
of people on foot and provides a common framework to help authorities refocus
their existing policies, activities and relationships to create a culture where people
choose to walk.
We all have a role to play in developing the actions in the Charter. You can
support the Charter by signing it and encouraging friends, colleagues, government
bodies, and national and local organisations to work with you to help create healthy,
efficient and sustainable walking communities throughout the world.
National initiatives
Australian public health initiatives and strategies to promote public health and
physical activity are extensively targeting the population and different groups within
the community with specific needs. The strategies include grants and funding to
provide infrastructure as well as funding to run programs. Government-sponsored
programs to promote an active population include:
ff Get set 4 Life Habits for Healthy Kids
ff Healthy Communities
Figure 1.19 Walking the best

wayto go
5A

capacity/power,
1.8 Australianaerobic
initiatives and
strategies to promoteanaerobic
physical activitycapacity/power
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
Healthy Spaces & Places

Community and Schools Grants Program
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program
Healthy Weight
Active After-School Communities
Measure Up.
Measure Up
The Measure Up campaign is part of the national Australian Better Health
Initiative (ABHI), and is supported by the Australian and state and territory
governments. The campaign aims to reduce the risk factors for chronic disease
such as some cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and limit the new and
current cases of disease in Australia. The initiative was announced in February
2006 by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) as a joint Australian,
state and territory government initiative. A total of $500 million over 4 years
was assigned to this national program. The campaign is for all Australians and
aims to provide them with the tools and understanding to make healthy lifestyle
choices. The campaign aims to raise appreciation of why people need to change
their lifestyles, and includes supporting information on what to do and how to
do it.
The long-term objectives are to:
ff encourage Australians to make and sustain changes to their health
ff reduce lifestyle-related disease in Australian adults, thus reducing associated
mortality rates.
To achieve these long-term objectives two target groups have been identified:
1. The primary target group is 25- to 50-year-olds who have children.
2. The secondary target group is 45- to 60-year-olds.
These groups have been selected as it is thought both these groups have a vested
interest in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Parents behaviour has a large impact on
their childrens lifestyle choices they determine to some degree what they eat
and the activities in which they participate. People in the 4560 age group may
already be experiencing the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle.
The short-term objectives for the first phase of the campaign are to:
ff increase awareness of the link between chronic disease and lifestyle
ff raise appreciation of the importance of lifestyle changes
ff generate more positive attitudes towards achieving recommended healthy
eating, activity levels and healthy weight range
ff generate confidence in achieving the desired changes and appreciation of the
significant benefits of achieving these changes.
The Measure Up campaign is underpinned by statistical analysis correlating waist
measurements and potential for chronic diseases. The campaign provides every
member of the community with a cost-effective, easily self-administered program
to predict future health risks.
Choose health: be active a physical activity guide

forolder Australians
Weblink
How do you measure up?
To help encourage older Australians to be physically active, the Department of

Health and Ageing and the Department of Veterans Affairs have jointly produced
a resource called Choose health: be active. Over the last 30 years there has been a
growing recognition that physical activity provides a health benefit. There is strong
consistent epidemiological evidence linking a wide range of important health and
social benefits to participation in regular moderate-intensity physical activity.
National Preventative Health Strategy the roadmap

foraction
The Australian Government has a vision to establish Australia as the healthiest
country by 2020. To transform this vision to reality a series of strategic and practical
actions must be implemented across all sectors and by all Australians between now
and 2020. In April 2008 the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing appointed the
National Preventative Health Taskforce to develop a National Preventative Health
Strategy.
A range of key action areas have been identified that need to be addressed to
create a healthy nation. One of these key areas is the need to drive environmental
changes throughout the community that increase levels of physical activity and
reduce sedentary behaviour:
The environmental quality of cities, towns and suburbs will be of critical importance
to the health and wellbeing of their communities over the next twelve years to 2020
and beyond.
It is well established that the physical environment, which incorporates the
built and natural environments, impacts on health and wellbeing both at the
individual level and at the community level. The design of local environments and
neighbourhoods influences walking, cycling and public transport use, as well as
recreational physical activity.
Prolonged sitting and insufficient physical activity have become a part of daily
life for many people changes in transport, the nature of work, labour-saving
devices and less active leisure activities have all had negative effects on daily energy
expenditure. In general, more physically active societies are healthier and have less
obesity.
In 200708, more than 70 per cent of Australians (aged 15 years and over) reported
being sedentary or having low levels of physical exercise a proportion virtually
unchanged since 1995. The Active Australia Surveys, conducted between 1997 and
2000, also found no change or a slight increase in physical inactivity levels for some
age groups.
There is already a range of measures to encourage sporting and recreation

activities. Additionally, through the Australian Governments Health portfolio,
grants have been provided for 98 community projects that provide a range of
sporting and recreational opportunities to Australian families ($46.8 million over
3 years), including support for the 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney and in
200708 providing funding for the Football Federation of Australia to promote
participation in and support for football in Australia. The taskforce welcomes such
initiatives and recommends further development of a coordinated national effort to
enhance sport and recreation opportunities across Australia.
Sport plays a major role in Australia. It helps define our national identity, and
provides avenues for participation, physical activity, learning of individual and team
skills, and social connection, as well as being a significant employer and major
leisure and entertainment industry. The taskforce also believes there is a need to
strengthen and encourage partnerships between preventative health agencies and
sporting groups, and suggests that greater collaboration between the National
Prevention Agency, the Australian Sports Commission and national sporting bodies
would deliver benefits in terms of encouraging healthy lifestyles.
A greater focus on active transport to and from work can increase opportunities for
physical activity among working populations. There is evidence that well-designed
and sustained initiatives that influence attitudinal, behavioural and environmental
factors can lead to significant improvements in population rates of physical activity,
Digital documents
Active Australia Survey 1
Active Australia Survey 2
5A

capacity/power,
initiatives and
through increases in both incidental (e.g. walking to catch public transport) and
organised (e.g. participating in active recreation or sporting activities) activities:
ff Good urban design and land use at a street level (improved lighting, ease
and safety of street crossings, pathway continuity, presence of traffic calming
structures, aesthetic enhancements) increase physical activity levels by 35per
cent.
ff Each kilometre walked reduces the odds of being obese by 4.8 per cent,
whereas every additional 60 minutes per day spent in a car increases the odds
of being obese by 6 per cent.
ff Having access to safe and affordable places for physical activity (trails, facilities,
parks) increases physical activity by 48.4 per cent.
ff Each quartile increase in land-use mix (combining residential with other uses
such as retail and workplaces) is associated with 12.2 per cent reduced odds of
being obese.
Healthy Spaces & Places

Figure 1.20 Will you be snorkelling
when youre older? Lay the
foundation now keep active.
The Healthy Spaces & Places project is funded ($700000 in 200809) through the
Australian Government to develop a national guide for local planners. A partnership
has been established between the Australian Local Government Association, the
National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Planning Institute of Australia. As
there is a connection between health and wellbeing and the design and structure
of cities and regions, the partnership brings together those with knowledge about
planning cities and health professionals to develop cities that will foster healthy
sustainable lifestyles
Designing places for active living

The NSW Premiers Council for Active Living (PCAL) has developed a comprehensive
web-based resource with six design areas of focus:
1. cities, towns and neighbourhoods
2. walking and cycling routes
3. public transport
4. streets
5. open spaces
6. retail areas.
The resource includes a design objective, important design considerations and
links to key references. Additional resources for detailed design guidelines and
specifications are provided for each focus area.
Liveable Neighbourhoods
The Liveable Neighbourhoods project provides principles and guidelines for
health-promoting urban planning. Liveable Neighbourhoods applies to structure
planning and subdivision for green field sites, and for the redevelopment of
large brown field and urban infill sites. This project demonstrates an increasing
acceptance of good design principles, and of regulation as a means of achieving
more active, liveable communities. Mandatory requirements establish consistency,
equal opportunities for developers, and more equitable access to good urban design
for residents.
The guidelines have been adopted by the Western Australian Planning
Commission as operational policy, and must be followed in all design and approval
of urban development.
Healthy by Design
The National Heart Foundations Healthy by Design is a guide for professionals
such as planners, developers and urban designers. The guide presents things to
consider, evidence, tools and case studies to facilitate the design of environments
for active living.
Figure 1.21 A number of Australian

Government initiatives promote
thedesign of areas for active,
healthyliving.
Case study: Health in All Policies,

South Australian Government
Health in All Policies (HiAP) is an approach which emphasises the fact that health and
wellbeing are largely influenced by measures that are often managed by government
sectors other than health. HiAP seeks to highlight the connections and interactions
between health and policies from other sectors, and explore policy options that both
contribute to the goals of non-health sectors and improve the health outcomes.
Despite major developments in the management and prevention of acute illness,
chronic conditions are emerging as a significant, ongoing cost to the community. The
majority of these chronic conditions are preventable and are closely linked with living
conditions or the determinants of health which tend to be influenced by policies
outside the health sector. For example, it has been shown that transport has wellrecognised effects on health and inequalities.
The determinants of health highlight the need for policy makers in all sectors to be
aware of the impact of their decisions on population health and to act to incorporate
health into their policies. Implementation of HiAP provides a system which enables
governments to respond in a coordinated way to the health and wellbeing needs of
the population.
It is now well recognised that the health of individuals and populations is
shaped by broad societal factors that lie outside the influence of the health
sector: the determinants of health and wellbeing. These determinants include the
social, economic and physical environment, as well as individual behaviours and
characteristics.
(continued)
5A

capacity/power,
initiatives and
In present government structures, sectors other than Health are responsible
for policy decisions that shape the impact these determinants have on health and
wellbeing. Major gains in population health, and the subsequent reduction in the
health service costs, will largely be achieved through influencing the determinants
ofhealth.
Health in All Policies: the 10 principles
A HiAP approach reflects health as a shared goal of all government. In particular it:
1. Recognises the value of health for the wellbeing of all citizens and for the overall
social and economic development of South Australia health is a human right,
a vital resource for everyday life and a key factor of sustainability.
2. Recognises that health is an outcome of a wide range of factors such
as changes to the natural and built environments and to social and work
environments many of which lie outside the activities of the health sector
andrequire a shared responsibility and an integrated and sustained policy
response across government.
3. Acknowledges that all government policies can have positive or negative
impactson the determinants of health and such impacts are reflected both in
the health status of the South Australian population today and in the health
prospects of future generations.
4. Recognises that the impacts of health determinants are not equally distributed
among population groups in South Australia and aims to close the health gap,
inparticular for the Aboriginal peoples.
5. Recognises that health is central to achieving the objectives of the South
Australian Strategic Plan (SASP) it requires both the identification of potential
health impacts and the recognition that good health can contribute to achieving
SASP targets.
6. Acknowledges that efforts to improve the health of all South Australians will
require sustainable mechanisms that support government agencies to work
collaboratively to develop integrated solutions to both current and future policy
challenges.
7. Acknowledges that many of the most pressing health problems of the
populationrequire long-term policy and budgetary commitment as well as
innovative budgetary approaches.
8. Recognises that indicators of success will be equally long-term and that regular
monitoring and intermediate measures of progress will need to be established
and reported back to South Australian citizens.
9. Recognises the need to regularly consult with citizens to link policy changes
withwider social and cultural changes around health and wellbeing.
10. Recognises the potential of partnerships for policy implementation between
government levels, science and academia, business, professional organisations
and non-governmental organisations to bring about sustained change.
The evidence from European countries where HiAP first originated suggests
that to make a difference to the health of people government departments must
considerthe implications for a healthy community. Town planning, provision of
housing, parks, cycle paths and footpaths are as important as planning decisions
of the Health Department for promoting healthy living. Policy decisions of
government and non-government organisations affect people and the way they
live their everyday life; for example, schools and their provision of timetabled
physical education classes and sports activities, and workplaces and the provision
ofshowers, lockers and flexible hours which allow employees to exercise at
lunch time or encourage them to cycle to work. HiAP recognises the multifaceted
approachrequired to create a healthy community.
Source: Department of Health, Government of South Australia, 2010; Kickbusch, I 2008, Healthy societies:
addressing 21st century health challenges, Adelaide Thinker in Residence report, Department of the
Premierand Cabinet, Government of South Australia, pp. 312.
State initiatives
State governments support the work of the federal government by developing
programs in a manner that is suitable for their states. If you view the different
websites from each state relating to physical activity you will nd information that
is consistent in its facts but presented in a slightly different manner. Below are a
few of the programs that the State of Victoria promotes to increase the populations
physical activity patterns.
Active Script Program

The Active Script Program encourages doctors, where suitable, to deliver
appropriate, consistent and effective advice on physical activity to patients.
Victoria Walks
The Victoria Walks program encourages people to walk to school and to set up a
walking action group (WAG). It also encourages active travel.
Weblink
Victoria Walks
Go for your life

Go for your life is a Victorian Government initiative that aims to promote healthy
eating and increase levels of physical activity. It includes a comprehensive website
that provides many ideas for activity for people of all ages.
Weblink
Healthy Living
Better Health Channel

The Better Health Channel provides health and medical information for consumers,
quality assured by the Victorian Government. This website provides numerous fact
sheets on many health-related topics.
Kinect Australia
Kinect Australia active living for healthier communities replaced VICFIT (the
Victoria Council on Fitness and General Health, which was established in 1982)
and provides information about events and programs for getting physically active.
1 Explain the concept of active travel.

2 In small groups, make a list of all the current
programs to promote physical activity. Include the
agency promoting the program, what the program
is, the target audience and the purpose of the
program.
APPLY your understanding

3 Select one program from question 2. Prepare a
PowerPoint presentation to sell your program to
a room full of skeptics. You may wish to include
music and video in your presentation.
Weblink
Kinect Australia
4 Use the Victoria Walks weblink in your eBookPLUS

to complete the following.
(a) What is a WAG?
(b) Set up your own WAG. Use Google Maps to
plan your route. How can you make a difference
to your daily activity pattern?
(c) What else can you do for your community in
order to increase physical activity? How would
you go about it?
EXTEND your understanding

5 Read the case study Health in All Policies on
pages 3940. Provide an example from the case
study for each domain of the socio-ecological model.
CHAPTER 1 Physical activity and participation
41
5A
1.9
Socio-ecological
Health related fitness
modelcomponents
and populations
KEY CONCEPT Demographic studies enable researchers to select population

characteristics that are relevant for their studies. They enable researchers to be
more prescriptive and precise in their research and provide valid results.
The link between poor health and poverty is startling, with the highest burden of
chronic disease experienced by the poorest Victorians with the least resources, who
suffer the most illness, pain, chronic disease and reduced life expectancy. Inequality
is particularly evident for Indigenous Victorians, people from low socioeconomic
backgrounds, refugees and those who live in rural areas.
The governments of Australia continue to support a wide range of programs that
encourage people to be physically active. Listed below are just a few of the ongoing
programs that retain government support.
ff Active After-school Communities. This program increases the amount of structured
physical activity for children after school hours.
ff Junior Sport. This program provides sports-related information for people who
work with children in the 517 years age group.
ff Indigenous Sport. Comprising a national network of 50 Indigenous sports
development officers, the role of this program is to focus on increasing
Indigenous Australians participation in organised sport.
ff Disability Program. Opportunities are provided under this program for all
Australians with a disability to participate in sporting activities at the level of
their choice.
ff Women in Sport. This program promotes innovative policies and practices
towards gender and equality issues in sport.
ff Playing fair ethics in sport. A fair, safe, ethical and inclusive culture is
encouraged at all levels of sport.
ff Membership growth and club development. This program encourages increased
participation in organised sport.
ff Coaching and officiating. Sporting coaches and officials are offered assistance and
training.
Some of the groups within the population that have low participation rates
of physical activity uptake include the economically disadvantaged, females,
Indigenous groups and disability groups.
Women-only groups
Research has repeatedly found that gender-specific programs result in greater
participation from women and girls. Other strategies that encourage participation
of women include:
ff Use female leaders and helpers.
ff Conduct physical activities in a segregated area of a general-use facility.
ff Use sporting facilities during the day when there are fewer males present.
Commercial gyms
Fernwood Womens Health Club and Curves are two commercial fitness gyms
established to cater for women only. They cater for the specific needs of women in
a women-only environment.
Community programs
The community of North Yarra has a number of large estates of public housing. The
North Yarra Community Health Centres client demographics indicate that nearly
40 per cent of clients are born outside Australia and come from over 130 different
countries. The programs they conduct are targeted to the populations within their
community. Some of the programs they organise for women only. These programs are
run for the economically disadvantaged as well culturally diverse womens groups.
The following two programs have been selected from a wide range of programs
they conduct. Their brief description identifies the specific needs of the population.
women-only gym group
A women-only gym group open to women of all ages
and all backgrounds; however, priority is given to refugee
women. Blinds cover all windows to ensure privacy. Come
along and improve strength, balance, cardiovascular fitness
and general health and wellbeing in a fun and positive
environment. Assessment by our physiotherapist prior to
starting is essential.
Venue: Community Gym, Collingwood Housing Estate
Time: Wednesdays, 1:00 pm2:00 pm
Cost: Free
womens water exercise group

A women-only class, open to women of all ages and from
all backgrounds; however, it is targeted at women who do
not normally use pool facilities due to their cultural/religious
background. A physiotherapist or trained volunteer will
guide the sessions.
Venue: City Baths
Transport: Available from (and back to) NYCH Collingwood
Centre
Time: Thursdays, 3:00 pm3:45 pm
Cost: $2.50 includes transport and pool entry
Indigenous groups
The following is the abstract from a project to engage Indigenous children in
physical activity.
Figure 1.22 Two women-only

community groups run by the North
Yarra Community Health Centre
Case study: Learn to Surf

A school-holiday Learn to Surf program was offered to children from Redfern, a
Sydney suburb characterised by high levels of child abuse and social disadvantage,
poor health outcomes and a high concentration of Aboriginal families. Health
services have traditionally had difficulty engaging Aboriginal clients and providing
accessible, effective programs to the Aboriginal community, which remains the
least healthy population in Australia.
This program took a preventative and holistic approach, building physical fitness
and psychological resilience through participation in a challenging but enjoyable
physical activity. Indigenous and non-Indigenous workers from an intersector
partnership of six government, non-government and commercial organisations
provided skills training, support and role-modelling. Although not identified as
Indigenous, the program was well attended by Aboriginal children. Qualitative
evaluation revealed participants enjoyment of surfing ensured strong engagement
and high retention rates. Parents reported noticeable improvements in participants
behaviour and psychological wellbeing after the surf group.
The aim of the program was to increase participation and engagement of
Aboriginal children from Redfern in health-promoting, child-protection activities
by providing a program that builds physical and psychological health using an
enjoyable, challenging activity.
1 The North Yarra Health Centres programs have been

established to encourage women to participate.
What barriers have they attempted to remove?
2 Use the socio-ecological model to analyse the

programs of the North Yarra Health Centre.
3 Read the 'Learn to Surf' case study and use the
socio-ecological model to analyse the program.
5A H
ealth related fitness components

Chapter 1 REVISION
Summary
ff Technological advances have assisted us in our day-to-day lives. However,
we have seen a detrimental effect on our health and fitness levels due to the
increasing amounts of inactivity these advances have caused. We need to
understand the importance of physical activity and how we can incorporate it
into our lives, so that we can remain a fit and healthy society.
National Physical Activity Guidelines

ff The Australian Department of Health and Ageing has devised a set of
recommendations for physical activity called the National Physical Activity
Guidelines (NPAG). These refer to the minimum levels of physical activity
required to attain good health and a healthy body weight.
ff One of the major recommendations of the NAPG is to put together 30minutes
of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days. In order
to do this, we need to understand levels of intensity and how we can measure
what intensity we are working at. Another important piece of information
required is how to assess what physical activity we are doing. We can measure
this using subjective or objective methods.
Methods of assessing physical activity levels
ff Subjective measures of assessing physical activity include:
diaries
logs
recall surveys.
ff Objective measures of assessing physical activity include:
pedometers
heart-rate telemeters
accelerometers
electronic motion sensors
observation.
The socio-ecological model
ff To fully understand our physical-activity levels and promote physical activity
within defined population groups and across various settings, we need
tounderstand the factors that influence peoples participation and be able to
provide strategies to overcome any barriers that arise.
ff The socio-ecological model is a multifaceted approach to promoting physical
activity. It requires communication and planning among a number of key
stakeholders.
ff A considerable amount of research has been undertaken to promote physical
activity. Strategies are required at a population level (e.g. mass media,
government policy and environmental approaches) that we can refer to.
ff Another common approach to the promotion of physical activity is to deliver
promotional strategies within a particular setting; for example, in workplace,
school, community, environmental and health settings.
ff Once we understand the benefits of physical activity and its influences on
peoples behaviour, we can confidently provide strategies to ensure that it
becomes an integral part of our lives.
ff The socio-ecological model is a useful tool to analyse the success of programs
for diverse populations.
Strengthen your understanding

1 Identify and justify the method that would best assess whether a 7-year-old child is
meeting the National Physical Activity Guidelines for children aged 512 years.
2 List five subjective methods of assessing physical activity.
3 Compare objective and subjective methods of assessing physical activity, using
examples.
4 Outline three purposes of the National Physical Activity Guidelines.
5 Moderate-intensity physical activity refers to any activity that utilises
(A) 1 to 2.9 METs.
(B) 3 to 5.9 METs.
(C) more than 6.0 METs.
(D) none of the above.
6 Describe the four domains of the socio-ecological model.
7 Outline the relationship between accuracy and practicality when measuring physical
activity levels. Include examples.
8 Explain the differences between subjective and objective methods of assessing
physicalactivity levels, giving examples of each type of method.
9 What methods of assessing physical activity would be best to assess the physical
activitylevels of a large number of 6-year-old primary school children?
10 Outline two possible implications for an individual or group within society if they do
notmeet the National Physical Activity Guidelines.
11 Try the 'Understanding physical activity' interactivity in your eBookPLUS to review
yourunderstanding of this chapter.
Interactivity
Searchlight ID: int-1841
Understanding physical activity
Exam questions
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5A H

CHAPTER 1 REVISION
1 mark
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Source: www.cartoonstock.com
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12 000
Sister X
Sister Y
Steps/day
10 000
8 000
6 000
4 000
2 000
0
Occupational
House/garden
Active/transport
Leisure
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5A H

CHAPTER 1 REVISION
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35
Time (minutes)
30
Vigorous-intensity physical activity

Moderate-intensity physical activity
Low-intensity physical activity
25
20
15
10
5
0
Teacher instruction
Fitness
Skill practice
Context
2 marks
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Chapter 1 Live It Up

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unit 3

Physical activity participation and

The human body is

Physical activity and

Key concept Regular physical activity is beneficial to your health and

Physical activityis defined as any

movement of the body produced by

Figure 1.1 Contrasting lifestyles

4 UNIT 3 Physical activity participation and physiological performance

Physical and mental benefits

Improves social skills/networks

Improves quality of life

Reduces traffic congestion

Figure 1.2 Benefits of physical

CHAPTER 1 Physical activity and participation 5

Health related fitness components

6 UNIT 3 Physical activity participation and physiological performance

It is surveying, for example, participants attitudes towards physical activity and

{In todays modern world technology

Test your understanding

Apply your understanding

CHAPTER 1 Physical activity and participation 7

KEY CONCEPT National Physical Activity Guidelines have been developed

Physical activity guidelines for adults

FIGURE 1.3 Cycling a way to be active

3. Put together at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most,

UNIT 3 Physical activity participation and physiological performance

Physical activity guidelines for older adults

Physical activity recommendations

At least 60 minutes of physical

Figure 1.4 Skateboarding is an

CHAPTER 1 Physical activity and participation 9

Health related fitness components

A combination of moderate and vigorous

Physical activity guidelines for early childhood

Launch of Get Up & Grow

CHAPTER 1 Physical activity and participation 11

Health related fitness components

12 UNIT 3 Physical activity participation and physiological performance

Physical activity guidelines for babies (01 years)

For healthy development in infants

From the age of 1 to around 5 it is

TEsT your understanding

APPly your understanding

KEY CONCEPT Measuring activity levels of the population is important for

Subjective methods of assessing physical activity

SELF-ADMINISTERED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CHECKLIST (SAPAC)

A6 Did you participate in physical education class yesterday? NO......1YES......2

___ hours plus ___ minutes

___ hours plus ___ minutes

Video games and computer games

___ hours plus ___ minutes

___ hours plus ___ minutes

Figure 1.6 Self-administered Physical Activity Checklist

CHAPTER 1 Physical activity and participation 15

Health related fitness components

Objective methods of assessing physical activity

spends in moderate and/or vigorous physical activity).

Electronic motion sensors

The BEACHES system (Behaviours of Eating Activity for Childrens Health:

Health related fitness components

SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time) is designed to measure

Choosing a method of assessing physical activity

ff Suitable for small groups or individuals

_ hours plus _ minutes

_ hours plus _ minutes

_ hours plus _ minutes

_ hours plus _ minutes