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Motivating People to Be Physically Active in Green Spaces

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Forests, Trees and Human Health

Abstract

Studies have found that the two main constraints to outdoor physical activity are reported to be ‘lack of time’ and ‘lack of information’. Constraints may be specific to particular target groups on the basis of gender, ethnicity/race, age group, ability and socio-economic status. Strategies aimed at promoting physical activity should aim at removing or mitigating as many target group related constraints as possible. Successful promotional messages need to be tailored to the specific group being targeted. Sustainable programs involve stakeholders in the decision-making process. The examples of physical activity programs from Europe featured in this chapter encompass a mix of good practice factors which include: good organization and structure (Walking the Way to Health, England); innovation and added-value information (Calorie maps, Wales); focus outside the physical exercise (Kjenmann Stjordal, Norway); socialization, play and fun (Children’s Trekking Club, Norway).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sport and Recreation Management, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Amalia Drakou

  2. Human Ecology Department, Vrije University Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium

    Rik De Vreese

  3. Nord-Trøndelag County, Trøndelag, Norway

    Tove Lofthus

  4. SOS Malta, Valetta, Malta

    Jo Muscat

Authors
  1. Amalia Drakou
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  2. Rik De Vreese
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  3. Tove Lofthus
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  4. Jo Muscat
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Correspondence to Amalia Drakou .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Parks and Urban Landscapes, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, Frederiksberg C, 1958, Denmark

    Kjell Nilsson

  2. , Land Use and Social Research, Forestry Commission, Corstorphine Road 231, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT, United Kingdom

    Marcus Sangster

  3. , National Agricultural Research Foundatio, Forest Research Institute, Thessaloniki, 57006, Greece

    Christos Gallis

  4. , Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala University, Radhustorget 1, Gävle, 80320, Sweden

    Terry Hartig

  5. , Alterra, Wageningen UR, Wageningen, 6700 AA, Netherlands

    Sjerp de Vries

  6. , Group Society, Environment & Culture, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (E, Sonneggstrasse 33, SOL E, Zurich, 9092, Switzerland

    Klaus Seeland

  7. , National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5 A - 2, Copenhagen K, 1353, Denmark

    Jasper Schipperijn

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Drakou, A., De Vreese, R., Lofthus, T., Muscat, J. (2011). Motivating People to Be Physically Active in Green Spaces. In: Nilsson, K., et al. Forests, Trees and Human Health. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9806-1_10

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