Centre for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (CAPAS-City): A Pyrenean Cross-Cultural Structure to Lead the Way in the Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Multilevel Physical Activity Interventions

Abstract

This study describes a Pyrenean cross-cultural structure called Centre for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Health (CAPAS-City) that was created to promote physical activity (PA) in Huesca (Spain) and Tarbes (France). The main aim of this centre is to lead the way in the design, implementation, and evaluation of multilevel PA interventions to improve their efficacy and sustainability inside the city. CAPAS-City responds to the main challenges related to multilevel PA interventions, through six guiding principles: (1) promoting sustainability, (2) playing a leadership role, (3) promoting multisectoral partnerships, (4) using evidence-based strategies, (5) promoting integrated knowledge translation, and (6) using a participatory research approach. Five multilevel PA interventions were designed in both cities by CAPAS-City with these principles in mind. Through the example of the Annual MOT Test adapted to bikes, we also illustrate one practical application of the use of these principles, following the Social-Ecological approach, in which the main agents of influence are involved at different levels to encourage cycling. According to the promising results found in this study, CAPAS-City appears to be a structure that is able to respond to the main needs and challenges of multilevel interventions to increase PA levels in the whole population of both cities.

Effects of an Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Reduce Sedentary Time in Disadvantaged Children: Randomized Trial

“…The study was designed as a randomized trial and was conducted within the framework of a Pyrenean cross-cultural structure. 19 Both the primary schools contacted to participate in the study were located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in a mid-sized city in the southern part of France. They both agreed to participate in the project.…”

Efectos de un programa de intervención escolar para promover el desplazamiento activo en bicicleta de los adolescentes

“…A pesar de que la evidencia es aún limitada en los programas escolares de promoción de la bicicleta, las intervenciones escolares multicomponente diseñadas a través de diferentes áreas curriculares y no curriculares (van de Kop et al, 2019), se han mostrado como unas de las más prometedoras para incrementar los niveles de AF, ya que involucran a toda la comunidad educativa, incluidos los docentes, las familias y el contexto social (Sevil-Serrano et al, 2020). Implicar a la comunidad educativa y social a través de eventos recreativos y gratuitos como la Inspección Técnica de Bicicletas (ITB), se ha identificado como una estrategia competente para promover el uso de la bicicleta entre los jóvenes y sus familias (Zaragoza et al, 2019). Desde el plan de acción tutorial (PAT), también se puede promover el desplazamiento en bicicleta a través de la concienciación y sensibilización del alumnado, el conocimiento de las normas y señales de circulación vial, la mecánica y seguridad en la bicicleta, etc.…”