The rise and fall of systems approaches to physical activity

Despite earlier efforts to develop comprehensive, cross-government approaches to physical activity in Australia, shifts in political agenda and priorities have initiated and then disbanded promising initiatives. Recent developments have created renewed opportunity to consider systems approaches for physical activity in Australia, which Project ASAPa (Australian Systems Approaches to Physical activity) seeks to investigate.

The project team met with federal, state and territory policy makers from diverse sectors to map and understand the existing physical activity system in relation to adults. Policies, programs and prevalence metrics were analysed and a conceptual physical activity systems map and a policy-focused resource to support practical implementation of PA systems approaches were developed.

A conceptual systems map and policy-focused guide will support better practice in policies, programs and surveillance, and provide frameworks for coordinated and well-governed approaches to physical activity.