Creating Change > Individual Level: Health >

Health and Physical Activity: An Ecological Approach

• The Individual
• The Social Environment
• The Physical Environment
• Policies and Regulations
  

Health and Physical Activity: The Individual

Strategies

To address health concerns on an individual level, you can:

• Educate individuals about the health benefits of physical activity
• Educate individuals about the ways physical activity impacts chronic conditions
• Provide information on exercises and activities that are appropriate for specific age groups or unique health conditions
• Listen carefully to clients or members to learn exactly what it is about their physical health, mental health, or perceptions of health that encourage or discourage them to be active

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Health and Physical Activity: The Social Environment

Strategies

Try the following strategies to address health concerns at a social level:

• Encourage the buddy system to help overcome fear (e.g., fear of doing something wrong, fear of hurting oneself, etc.)
• Recognize that fears exist—do not dismiss or belittle them
• Train staff so they can adapt programs and/or provide appropriate activities for people of all ages and ability levels and with unique health conditions
• Encourage those who use health as a goal to be active
• Seek support from health care providers in reinforcing the importance of physical activity
• Develop post-rehabilitation plans for clients who are leaving rehabilitation centres

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Health and Physical Activity: The Physical Environment

Strategies

Some strategies for addressing health concerns in the physical environment include:

• Examining your facility to determine if changes can be made to the physical environment that will ease the concerns of individuals with health issues.
  • Is a first aid kit easily accessible and visible?
  • Is an AED (automated external defibrillator) easily accessible and visible?
  • Are chairs in areas where they may be needed?
  • Are safety grips provided on exercise equipment?
    Note: The Physical Access section provides other excellent ideas
• Advocating and/or planning for features in the built environment that will encourage participation from individuals with health-related issues
  • Benches at regular intervals on walking paths and common areas
  • Street lights with a longer duration for wheelchair users or pedestrians who need more time to cross
  • Well-maintained paths and sidewalks
  • Paths and trails regularly patrolled and marked with up-to-date signage indicating distance and difficulty
  • Public phones and transportation services available in recreation locations

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Health and Physical Activity: Policies and Regulations

Strategies

Health concerns can be addressed by developing policy and implementing regulations. You can contribute at this level by:

• Ensuring safety and emergency procedures are in place
• Implementing hiring practices that ensure staff are available who are trained to work with individuals with a variety of abilities and health conditions
• Advocating for and implementing fee policies that ensure services and programs are affordable for all (See the Social Access section for specific ideas.)
• Advocating for work-place health and wellness fund and incentives

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Health and Physical Activity: Useful Links

• Information on Chronic Diseases and Physical Conditions
  
• Mayo Clinic
  
• Physical Activity and Health
  

References

Brazeau, A., Rasbasa-Lhoret, R., Strychar, I., & Micescu, H. (2008). Barriers to physical activity among patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 31, 2108–2109. doi:10.2337/dc08-0720

Rasinaho, M., Hirvensalo, M., Leinonen R., Lintunen, T., & Rantanen T. (2007). Motives for and barriers to physical activity among older adults with mobility limitations. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 15, 90–102.

McDevitt, J., Snyder, M., Miller, A., & Wilbur, J. (2006). Perceptions of barriers and benefits to phsycial activity among outpatients in psychiatric rehabilitation. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 38, 50–55.