Recorded presentation

Linda D. Martin, Director, Saskatoon Health Region, In motion , 701 Queen Street, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0M7, Canada, 306- 655-8153, linda.martin@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) and partners developed in motion as a strategy to address inactivity. This session will cover the in motion initiative’s structure, goals, strategies and results.

In motion provides a unique opportunity to study the determinants of physical activity, implement and evaluate community-based interventions, and assess their impact on health service utilization. Evaluation of in motion has been an ongoing and critical process to the initiative.

This presentation will outline the development of an interactive active living partnership, in motion, specifically focusing on resulting behaviour changes. This will include the findings of a 2-year pre-post survey of over 2000 area residents, which show that the total population exercising enough to receive health benefits increased from 36% to 49%. In addition, in 2002, an SHR survey that showed that 60% of residents were aware of the initiative.

Apart from the global changes in physical activity levels observed across Saskatoon and area, this presentation will further discuss the changes in health behaviour that have occurred as a result of community-based initiatives. These initiatives focused on six target areas: inactive adults, children and youth, older adults, physician referral, workplace wellness, and primary prevention of diabetes.

Finally, this presentation will show how in motion created a unique infrastructure and mechanisms, which resulted in cultural change in the community environment around physical activity and other health promoting behaviours. In motion and physical activity for health benefits have become a part of the community’s everyday life.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session attendees will each be able to

• describe in motion's successful health-promotion partnership structure;
• discuss one model of evaluating "success" and measuring quantitative increases in physical activity participation; and
• identify six key targeted strategies and explain how the combination of these strategies forms a comprehensive community initiative.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Physical Activity

Related Web page: www.in-motion.ca

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation