The 2024 International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) Conference brought together world-leading experts and provided a platform for the exchange of cutting-edge research to promote physical activity globally. The IMPAQT project was well represented by its partners from 6 EU countries who organised a pre-conference workshops and presented their research at the conference.
Pre-conference workshop
In alignment with the overall theme of the conference – “Accelerating policy and practice to ensure physical activity for all” – Prof. Catherine Woods chaired a pre-conference workshop on physical activity policy implementation. The workshop aimed to share learnings on how to use the Physical Activity Environment Policy Index (PA-EPI). The first session familiarized participants with the policy indicators that constitute the tool, while the second session introduced processes for using the indicators to perform a policy assessment. Six tables engaged in the interactive parts of the workshop, each facilitated by table hosts from the IMPAQT team. Differences of opinion emerged among participants regarding which policy indicators were most important and which policies were best implemented. As the IMPAQT project will use the PA-EPI in six EU countries, the workshop also served as a valuable learning experience for the project team in terms of communicating about the policy tool and its application.
Insights from Keynote speakers
On the first day, Isabella Burczak, explored the potential of leveraging sports mega-events, such as the Paris 2024 Olympics, to inspire physical activity. She emphasised how these global events, while captivating worldwide attention, can leave a lasting public health legacy by encouraging infrastructural investments and widespread behaviour change which often is not realised. Her presentation specifically highlighted large-scale cycling events and means in which the infrastructure can have positive impacts on the nation’s health. On the second day, Kent Buse discussed the political landscape of physical activity promotion, stressing the importance of integrating physical activity into broader public health agendas. Drawing parallels with successful campaigns like tobacco control, he called for stronger political support to ensure that physical activity gains the same level of priority and funding as other public health issues. Following this, Robert Harle, addressed the dual-edged nature of using consumer devices for physical activity surveillance. He highlighted the pros and cons of various measurement tools including smartwatch brands – emphasising ethical considerations and data protection when choosing devices for research. On the third day, Evelyne de Leeuw discussed the challenges arising when implementing physical activity policies. She specifically spoke considering minority groups and tailoring urban design when developing and implementing interventions and policies to promote physical activity.
IMPAQT presentations
The IMPAQT research group had a strong presence across the congress programme with contributions spanning across posters, 3-minute pitch orals, 8-minute orals, symposia and the pre-conference workshop mentioned earlier.
Four presentations were directly related to IMPAQT: Dr Kevin Volf (Ireland) presented a general overview of the project, its aim and how it is linked to the PA-EPI process, while Prof Woods (Ireland) presented on the role of the PA-EPI councils in assessing the status of physical activity policy implementation; the audience was introduced to the various stakeholder groups that are consulted as part of the PA-EPI process including the citizens council, an addition to the original process proposed by IMPAQT to promote equity as the final output. Fleur Heuvelman (Netherlands) presented the results of the two PA-EPI studies conducted so far in Ireland and the Netherlands, and shared – in another presentation – results of an IMPAQT review on health equity in an through physical activity policy.
However, the IMPAQT members presented also related research. Prof Woods (Ireland) was part of an international symposium to discuss the role of the physical activity community in meeting the challenges policy interventions require to be successful. Prof Gelius (Switzerland) chaired a symposium on physical activity behaviour and promotion from a systems perspective. And Dr Sven Messing (Ireland/Germany) presented on whether and how local policies can be monitored at a large scale, e.g. in a whole country or region. In addition, Dr Antonina Tcymbal (Germany) presented her research on the readability of physical activity questionnaires. Finally, Dr Nicole den Braver and Dr Jeroen Lakerveld (both Netherlands) presented their research on the development of a neighbourhood drivability index and the policymaking dynamics of adopting speed limit reductions.
Authors: Kevin Volf, Sven Messing
