Summary of the EUNAAPA project

Introduction

The project has the general objective to improve the health (physical functioning is considered to be a subdimension of health), wellbeing and independence of older people throughout Europe by the promotion of evidence-based physical activity (pa) by the foundation of a "European Network for Action on Ageing and Physical Activity" (EUNAAPA). The EUNAAPA would pursue

(I) to establish a self-sustaining network to facilitate the promotion of evidence-based physical activity among older people in Europe.

(2) to foster an intersectoral approach to the promotion of physical activity by engaging in a dialogue with different policy sectors,

(3) to identify evidence-based, cost effective and acceptable ways to promote physical activity and

(4) to facilitate the contribution of European scientists to the development and implementation of evidence based physical activity promotion policies throughout Europe.

 

For accomplishing these goals, the EUNAAPA has defined 7 workpackages:

(1)   Coordination of project

(2)   Dissemination of project results

(3)   Evaluation of project results

(4)   assessment of physical activity and physical functioning

(5)   Identification of existing Programmes for physical activity and physical activity promotion

(6)   Implementation and dissemination of physical activity programmes and

(7)   Secure the existence of the EUNAAPA network

 

Work package 2

contains the launching of an internet platform with a public area for the information of scientists, policy makers, providers, and professionals about network activities and available network resources, the establishment of contact to other organizations and networks in the fields of ageing, physical activity and health, and the hosting of a conference at the end of the project. The conference wilI be geared towards national, regional, and local policy makers (from different policy sectors), providers and professionals (scientists and practitioners) in the fields of ageing, physical activity and health.

 

Work package 4

contains the development of an inventory and a critical review of current instruments for physical activity and physical functioning assessment among older people, and a best practice report on assessment instruments for physical activity and physical functioning assessment among older people.

 

Work package 5

contains the development of an inventory and critical review of current programmes for physical activity and physical activity promotion among older people delivered by health, physical activity and exercise professionals. A best practice report on programmes for physical activity (promotion) among older people, and guidelines for the graded registration, training, certification and continuing professional development of instructors delivering the programmes.

 

 

Work package 6

contains one meeting in each nation with relevant policy sectors,

providers, professionals and (representatives of older people on appropriate dissemination and implementation strategies for physical activity promotion programmes for older people, a best practice reportt on dissemination and implementation strategies, and a documentation of the exchange and collaboration with policy makers, providers, professionals and (representatives of) older people, and on the consultancy activities of EUNAAPA for these groups.

 

 

Work package 7

will identify funding sources for the EUNXAPA for its sustained existence, and will develop a mechanism/framework to secure existence of the EUNAAPA, and to demonstrate (in order to attract funding) the impact of the EUNAAPA on public agencies, policy makers and professionals.