The Impact of Physical Activity Promotion Policies for Inactive Individuals at the Municipal Level.
1
Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country,, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3670
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The development of municipal policies targeting individuals with low levels of physical activity (PA) remains a major challenge. In Gipuzkoa (Spain), a systemic and innovative territory-wide initiative was developed to address physical inactivity: the Physical Activity Guidance Service (PAGS). The program links healthcare referrals with personalized counseling, generating systemic impact locally. Methos: To assess PAGSs impact, a validated ad hoc questionnaire was distributed to sports technicians in 54 municipalities. The questionnaire included 71 items across seven dimensions: 1) characteristics of the municipality, 2) profile of the respondent, 3) municipal sports structure, 4) PA and sport policies between 2017-2022, 5) implementation and impact of KOZ, 6) knowledge and follow-up of inactive individuals, and 7) the role of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa (PCG). Validated by six experts/practitioners, the study received approval from the ethics committee.
RESULTS:
61.4% of the 88 municipalities participated, covering 68.6% of the population (493965 people). 77.8% reported strengthening PA policies for inactive people (2017–2022), though 78.8% said they were not prioritized. Limited financial resources were identified as the main barrier. 77.6% reported institutional support from the PCG. PAGS municipalities noted greater technical and financial aid, with 100% acknowledging close engagement. Conversely, 63% of non-PAGS municipalities saw the PCG as more distant.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study reveals that interest in developing public policies for inactive individuals is increasing among municipalities in Gipuzkoa, although such policies are not yet strategically prioritized. Limited financial resources are identified as the main barrier, and institutional support from the PCG is perceived as essential, particularly in municipalities with PAGSs. These services have become catalysts for more active policies and higher-impact actions. Overall, a systemic and intersectoral approach enhances the potential for promoting PA in a sustainable manner.
The development of municipal policies targeting individuals with low levels of physical activity (PA) remains a major challenge. In Gipuzkoa (Spain), a systemic and innovative territory-wide initiative was developed to address physical inactivity: the Physical Activity Guidance Service (PAGS). The program links healthcare referrals with personalized counseling, generating systemic impact locally. Methos: To assess PAGSs impact, a validated ad hoc questionnaire was distributed to sports technicians in 54 municipalities. The questionnaire included 71 items across seven dimensions: 1) characteristics of the municipality, 2) profile of the respondent, 3) municipal sports structure, 4) PA and sport policies between 2017-2022, 5) implementation and impact of KOZ, 6) knowledge and follow-up of inactive individuals, and 7) the role of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa (PCG). Validated by six experts/practitioners, the study received approval from the ethics committee.
RESULTS:
61.4% of the 88 municipalities participated, covering 68.6% of the population (493965 people). 77.8% reported strengthening PA policies for inactive people (2017–2022), though 78.8% said they were not prioritized. Limited financial resources were identified as the main barrier. 77.6% reported institutional support from the PCG. PAGS municipalities noted greater technical and financial aid, with 100% acknowledging close engagement. Conversely, 63% of non-PAGS municipalities saw the PCG as more distant.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study reveals that interest in developing public policies for inactive individuals is increasing among municipalities in Gipuzkoa, although such policies are not yet strategically prioritized. Limited financial resources are identified as the main barrier, and institutional support from the PCG is perceived as essential, particularly in municipalities with PAGSs. These services have become catalysts for more active policies and higher-impact actions. Overall, a systemic and intersectoral approach enhances the potential for promoting PA in a sustainable manner.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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