This is a photo taken inside one of the buildings at Oslo Metropolitan Universe when our class had student-controlled education in different activities and themes (therefore the poor quality). It shows an indoor climbing wall right in the middle of the hall, study places and library. Every student with a climbing license at Oslo Metropolitan Universe can rent a rope and come climb with a friend or two. This is not the only example of activity opportunities with easy access in Norway, we have city bikes, “tufte-parker” which is outdoor training parks with different bars where you can do bodyweight-training, a number of sports arenas open to the public, and many other forms of places or activity options whom cost nothing or is free. To me, this photo and all the opportunities shows the diversity and the easy access to everyday-activity and training opportunity in Norway. For the patients in the health system in Norway, this gives everybody despite the economy, location, and interest a chance to be active and take care of their own health.
The international guidelines recommend 150 minutes with moderate activity every week. Studies have shown that by being in moderate activity for 150 minutes per day the health is increased, you will have more surplus in your every day, and that the 150 minutes of activity is an instrument in both preventing and rehabilitation in over 30 diagnoses and conditions (Helsedirektoraret, 2016). By having easy access to different activity options, like a climbing wall in the school hall, it makes it easier to fore fill these recommendations and then gain the health gains mentioned earlier in this paragraph. In May 2010 the Toronto Charter for Physical Activity: A Global Call for Action was published. It contains recommendations and an example of how to increase the activity in a country. It also contains a plan on how to include and priorities health and physical activity into different parts of the society. The Toronto chart has recommended measures in 7 different areas; more physical activity in education, active transport, facilitation of the infrastructure, focus in health, public education, holistic commitment in increasing the physical activity, and sports- and activity measures and facilitation. (Helsedirektoratet, 2010). The climbing wall at school is maybe a product of the Toronto Charter for physical activity, and a measure of the points; more activity in education, facilitation of the infrastructure, holistic commitment in increasing the physical activity, and sports- and activity measures and facilitation.
References:
Helsedirektoraret. (2016, July 1). Anbefaliger for fysisk aktivitet: Helsedirektoratet. Hentet fra Helsedirektoratet: https://helsedirektoratet.no/folkehelse/fysisk-aktivitet/anbefalinger-fysisk-aktivitet
Helsedirektoratet. (2010, May 20). Toronto-charteret for fysisk aktivitet: Et globalt opprop om handling . Hentet fra Helsedirektoratet : https://helsedirektoratet.no/Documents/Fysisk%20aktivitet/2010-gapa-og-ispah-toronto-charter-norsk.pdf
One thought on “Sandberg, Veslemøy: “Activity options on every corner” ”
I really enjoyed your piece on the many different opportunities for physical activity in Oslo. It really amazes me that such things are so easily accessible to most of the general public. I think the picture and text link well together and overall the academic literature supports your claims well.
I feel that some personal reflection maybe could be added in, like how you feel it is helpful that these training parks and bicycles are available and how it makes our jobs as Physical Therapists easier. I see you did talk about this in terms of the patients and the health system but perhaps try to bring in the Physios perspective more.
Your references look good and are in the correct format.
My only critique really is that there are a few spelling and grammatical errors, such as the Oslo Metropolitan Universe should be University, and the third line in the second paragraph should read prevention and rehabilitation. Although there are some more minor spelling errors if you just read over it again and fine comb those mistakes all should be perfect.
Overall this piece is incredibly well written and I think contains all the elements necessary to meet the requirements.
This piece was very well thought out and I look forward to seeing a second draft.