Project ViTAL ViTAL (Vitality Through Active Living) Fijian project

Physical inactivity, along with other lifestyle-related health risk factors such as an unhealthy diet, is becoming increasingly prevalent in developing countries which face rapid economic and social development, urbanization and industrialization. The importance of physical activity as a means of NCD prevention and control is recognized in developing countries, as well as the need for suitable programmes, policies and guidelines. However, the evidence on implementing physical activity interventions in a developing country context is sparse. It is evident from research findings that encouraging participation in health-enhancing physical activity is a public health issue of urgent concern. A healthy revitalised community is one that is concerned about the well-being of the community, protection of the environment and investing into future generations. Research stresses that physical activity interventions carried out in developing countries include strategies to: • raise awareness of the importance and benefits of physical activity among the community, • educate the whole population and/or specific community groups, • conduct local physical activity programmes and initiatives; • build capacity among individuals implementing local physical activity programmes through training of potential programme coordinators; and • create supportive environments that facilitate participation in physical activity

Project vital: Community revitalization industry report

ViTAL (Vitality Through Active Living) FIJIAN PROJECT The ViTAL project aims to aid in the reduction of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through investment in the health and well-being of women by increasing the level of participation in physical activity (PA) and health eating across the community. Women are agents of change in families, communities and countries. The ViTAL program aims to support, other community-based programs such as community gardens, healthy cooking classes, healthy cookbooks, walking groups and other ongoing physical activity programs

Community revitalisation strategy

Abstract of presentation : The rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in western countries is reported as being driven by poor lifestyle choices, which include drops in adequate physical activity levels. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) can impose large health, financial and economic costs on countries. In some countries, NCDs are responsible for more than 50% of health costs. The economic consequences of physical inactivity have been shown to be substantial for health care costs but even greater on indirect costs, which include the value of economic output lost because of illness, disease-related work disability and premature death. In response to the growing burden of chronic NCDs and in order to reduce the impact of major risk factors such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, the New Zealand Ministry of Health funded a community- and primary healthcare-based physical activity intervention called Green Prescription. Green prescriptions have been shown to be effective in increasing population physical activity levels. Green Prescriptions are available nationwide, through the partnership with general practitioner groups, sport trusts and funding from the Ministry of Health. The Green prescription initiative has been recognized as smart and cost-effective way to help people stay healthy thus alleviating health costs. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight good practice that has stemmed from effective working relationships between health, local government agencies and sport trusts, to support people in adopting healthier lifestyles

Assessing the potential for Clinical Exercise Physiologists in the Waikato: A pilot study

Globally, physical inactivity has been directly linked to many chronic conditions or non-communicable diseases (diseases that are not passed on to others). In 2014, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported an 11% probability of New Zealanders’ between 40 and 70 years, could die of the top four non-communicable diseases (NCD’s): cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory diseases, and 28.3% of New Zealanders were obese. Increases in morbid obesity and levels of physical inactivity have been noted across New Zealand. The Waikato DHB is the fifth largest in New Zealand, with a population of 391,770. Clinical exercise physiology (CEP) is a sub-discipline of Exercise Science, focusing on the physiological and psychological effects exercise has on chronic illness and injury. CEP has been recognised by Health Workforce New Zealand as an Allied Health profession. There is little knowledge or understanding about CEP amongst primary healthcare in New Zealand

‘Parks for Sport and Recreation’ Third Phase Evaluation of Impact Research Report

Executive Summary Sport NZ develops partnerships with national sport and recreation organisations, regional sports trusts, local authorities and other relevant organisations. In conjunction with Sport NZ goals and purpose of investment, a ‘Parks for Sport and Recreation’ project was implemented in June 2010, in the form of collaborative project by Sport Waikato and Hamilton City Council (HCC), along with Wintec and University of Waikato and other relevant groups, as part of their ‘Active Communities Strategy’. The communities included in the ‘Parks for Sport and Recreation’ project were Fairfield, Crawshaw and Melville as they were identified as low socio-economic areas that each had a Sports or Recreation Park available. This project began by an attempted literature search for similar programmes and projects in other countries. Unfortunately, we were unable to find readily available, published articles on specific park, sport and recreation projects within the project time restrictions. The following is a report generated as the third phase of evaluation of the ‘Parks for Sport & Recreation’ project through participant observations in all three parks, as well as interviews with key stakeholders. This is provided to HCC to inform the assessment of project performance, effectiveness and sustainability, along with providing further recommendations for future projects of a similar nature. The three key findings of this report are: • Increased Sporting and Active Participation Participants believe that sporting and recreational activity had increased significantly in all three parks. Participants in all three parks had also experienced increased sporting recreational and more diverse physical activity, highlighting the positive impact of the project. • Increased Positive Community Perception and Engagement Participants reported an increased positive perception of use, enjoyment and vibrancy of all three parks. This included significantly increased levels of pride for each park, suggesting community ownership and buy-in, which will assist the ongoing sustainability of park changes. • Reduced Crime All three parks reported, through stakeholder and police interviews, decreased negative behaviours, vandalism and crime. Survey results indicated that stakeholders and residents believed their park was safer since the park changes were implemented. The key recommendations based on these findings are: • Increased community involvement Community involvement has been commented on by multiple stakeholders from all parks as being critical to community engagement and ongoing sustainability of project changes. Since the implementation of the project this had increased, however participants indicated that these successes could be further developed. This could be achieved through initiatives such as more community-led art which involves local community members (this could also help decrease incidences of tagging). • Increased and well-maintained facilities and equipment Stakeholder reported that increased numbers of people and groups utilising community parks, means that improved toilet and water facilities should be a part of any future initiatives. Youth focus groups and other stakeholders discussed the need for well-maintained equipment installations in community parks in order to ensure ongoing sustainability and reduced on-going costs. Method Park activities were observed in Fairfield, Crawshaw and Melville Parks at two seasonal points. These points were in November and February in order to provide observations of seasonal (spring and summer) use data. Observations were conducted through the researcher scanning particular park locations at certain time points. These observations were conducted on one-day of a weekend. Weekends were chosen due to recreation park use and time of year. It was initially planned to undertake hourly observations, however due to low user activity continual observation was undertaken at Crawshaw Park and Fairfield. Melville was kept to hourly time point notation due to large user numbers. Activities, ages and gender were noted in which to inform type of users and activities. Informal (unstructured activity such as recreational play) or formal (structured, organised activity such as sporting club practise) activities were also noted if relevant. Statistical Survey A survey was conducted at a community event for Melville and Fairfield parks whilst a residents’ survey was conducted in the case of Crawshaw Park, as no event was scheduled within the deadline constraints. These were in the form of closed-structured questions asked of participants. A 3-point Likert-scale was utilised to gain added value in response data sets, such as ‘Very important/Important/Not Important at all’. Stakeholder Interviews Qualitative interviews of stakeholders were conducted for each of the three parks. Six interviews were conducted per park. Contact details for each participant were provided by the Project Coordinator, though two were gained by ‘snow-ball’ acquisition through another provided contact. These interviews were arranged with leaders of each stakeholder group where possible and lasted between 15-30 mins each. Each interview was recorded and transcribed for later thematic analysis. Youth Focus Group A qualitative focus group was conducted with youth between the ages of 8-12yrs, who were users of Crawshaw Park. All were able to provide signed parental consent forms. This was the only focus group able to be held within time constraints. It was originally hoped that one focus group for each park would be held, however, organising participants that were also able to give consent or get parental consent within this timeframe proved impossible. This focus group lasted for approximately 30 mins with participants asked open-ended semi-structured questions. Analysis Data collected was transcribed in the case of interviews and focus group, and all data was coded, categorized and analysed to produce an informative picture of community impact of the three-park/year project. Observational data gave present use statistics. Statistical analysis was hoped to consist of correlational calculations between for instance, level of improved usage and enjoyment, with importance and pride. However, little baseline data was available in which to compare. In saying this, some informative conclusions can be drawn from observational and survey data particularly when compared to qualitative data gained. Thematic analysis was utilised for qualitative interviews and focus group. Data was coded into common themes of importance for reporting purposes. The themes were identified through issues found in the literature review and indicated levels of significance in common stakeholder opinion, of park activity, project impact, community perceptions, community engagement, ongoing sustainability, and barriers to success and sustainability of the project objectives. Ethics This project was ethically approved by Wintec’s Human Ethics in Research Committee, All interview and focus group participants were fully informed and gave written consent. The younger focus group participants all supplied parental written informed consent. Findings The findings of this report are presented below. The first section outlines features and findings of each of the three specific parks. The second section discusses features and findings common across all three parks. Lastly the third section provides concluding statements in regards to the findings

International Council for Physical Activity and Fitness Research (ICPAFR) Board Membership

AIM The aim of the Council is to make an effort to promote that quality of life most conducive to the realization of one's highest creative potential through the promotion of physical activity and fitness. OBJECTIVES - To encourage basic research in physical activity and physical fitness. - To foster research in areas of physical activity, fitness, and nutrition. - To standardize tests in physical fitness and the assessment and the measurement of physical activity. - To encourage research based upon the standardized tests and measurements. - To encourage research to enhance participation in physical activity and the improvement of physical fitness

Educating a culturally competent health workforce for Pasifika communities: A Wintec/K'aute Pasifika clinical partnership project

Introduction The connection between Wintec and K’aute Pasifika is long standing through health and education and the time is right for collaboration that lifts both organisations is the strongest possible partnership. Significant opportunity exists for Wintec’s CHASP/CSSHP and K’aute Pasifika to work together in developing innovative strategies to enhance opportunities for student engagement in the delivery of services offered through K’aute Pasifika and to evaluate these. Literature review Pacific Islanders typically have lower health status and life expectancy than other New Zealanders. Implementation of Māori initiatives are not always appropriate for Pasifika peoples and there is a need to develop Pacific-specific initiatives. Evidence suggests tailored teaching and learning interventions may be required to promote participation and academic success of underrepresented minority groups in New Zealand, such as Pasifika. However, the focus needs to be on more than just Pasifika students and also on increasing non-Pasifika student capacity to work with the Pasifika community in a culturally acceptable and competent manner. There is a consistent shortage of Pacific primary health care workers in New Zealand and Pasifika are underrepresented across all health occupations. The literature identifies a complex range of factors that may contribute to this including high levels of mobilization in the skilled professional workforce and blurring of boundaries. Student-led placements with Indigenous populations have been identified as a feasible and meaningful way of developing a workforce ready to serve Indigenous and minority populations. Method A mixed method study design incorporating Talanoa was implemented to address the following key objectives: 1. Map current Wintec student placement provision within K’aute Pasifika against regional population health needs 2. Identify educational opportunities available at K’aute Pasifika through consultation with K’aute Pasifika staff 3. In collaboration between Wintec and K’aute Pasifika, develop a 5-year strategic plan for enhancement of cultural competence of Wintec staff and students in working with Pasifika people Findings Our Talanoa identified three major themes through which current and potential student placements could be better understood: the student experience, vā/relationships, and transformation. The first theme, student experience, was divided into subthemes, which expressed how students are valued, quality experiences for students are important to K’aute Pasifika staff, cultural practices are significant in placements at K’aute Pasifika, authentic experiences and interprofessional practices are essential and readily occur at K’aute Pasifika. The second theme, vā/relationships, was conceptualised as a network, with K’aute Pasifika at the centre, surrounded by the relevant partnerships. Equally as important as who those partners were, was the connections and space - or vā - between them. The third theme, transformation, was divided into three sub-themes: growth, capacity for more, and workforce development. These themes were understood in the context of the health data to create a clearer picture of the health needs for the Pasifika community in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton. Recommendations A clear action plan for 2021 is outlined which was co-constructed and agreed between K’aute Pasifika and Wintec and derived from the Strategic Plan