One of the big issues for public health is that too many Danes are not physically active In their daily life. A new study from Aarhus University points to a number of barriers to physical activity for physical inactive Danes. Success in reducing physical inactivity will require special initiatives that are neither quick nor simple.

2021.12.02 | Helle Horskjær Hansen

Far too many Danes are not physically active In their daily life. According to the Danish Health Authority, thirty per cent of the adult population is physically inactive. And this has major consequences for public health. But why are so many adult Danes physically inactive? This is a question that researchers from Aarhus University have tried to find answers to. 

"We’ve identified barriers and motives related to physical inactivity. Our goal has been to facilitate a general discussion of physical inactivity in order to ultimately generate knowledge that can be used by politicians, practitioners and researchers," says Knud Ryom, who is one of the researchers behind the study.

First and foremost, what is required is an understanding of physical inactivity as a complex problem that requires a multilevel approach.

"We should be especially aware of the many factors that are involved in relation to physical inactivity. And we should be conscious of the fact that there are many different paths to becoming and being physically active, so one size-fits-all solutions will rarely be successful," he says. 

New job may affect activity level

According to Knud Ryom, physical inactivity should be understood through a lifecourse perspective when introducing new interventions or initiatives. This is because life events such as e.g. getting married, moving home or starting a new job may affect our activity level.

"We should also be particularly aware of adults above the age of sixty and ethnic minorities, as this group has a number of challenges that go beyond the most common ones. This could e.g. feelings of security, distance and cultural and/or religious factors," explains Knud Ryom.

In addition to these factors, the study points to three additional themes that can play a crucial role in relation to physical. These are the individual history with physical activity, the importance of sporting organisations or associations for physical activity, and society’s responsibility for physical inactivity. 

"Our individual experience of physical activity is important in relation to motivation and behavioural changes. The sports associations are important, especially in terms of tailoring or adapting their activities and what they have to offer to the target group, while society should also encourage and create more opportunities for physical activity," says Knud Ryom. 

Knud Ryom emphasises that, last but not least, it may also be meaningful to adopt a so-called physical literacy perspective on physically inactive Danes. In other words, it is a case of looking at the individual's physical literacy to understand the many different factors that are meaningful for whether we are physically active or not. 

"Whether it's previous experiences with sports, motivation, self-confidence or bodily competences, this can provide a good insight into who and what contributes to us being physically active throughout life," says the researcher.

The results have been published in the scientific journal Scandinavian Journal of Public Health.

Background for the results

• The study is based on a review of scientific articles supplemented by interviews with experts in the field.
• The study was carried out in collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark, the University of Copenhagen, DGI – the Danish Gymnastics and Sports Association, DIF – The Sports Confederation of Denmark and “Bevæg Dig For Livet” (a Danish project aiming to keep people active and healthy).
• The study is financed by the “Bevæg Dig For Livet” project.
• The scientific article can be read in the Scandinavian Journal of Public Health

Contact

PhD Knud Ryom
Aarhus University, Department of Public Health – Section for Health Promotion and Health Services
knudryom@ph.au.dk
(+45) 2244 2010