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Conference Agenda

Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).

Daily Overview

Session

Import to your local calendar

WR3_2_4: Pitch oral & Workplace HEPA promotion group Meeting

Time:

Wednesday, 09/Sept/2026:

3:40pm - 5:10pm

Session Chair: Ilkka Väänänen

Location: White room 3

Presentations

3:40pm - 3:43pm

Physical Activity for Mental Health

Anu Kangasniemi¹, Pauliina Husu²

1: Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Finland; 2: The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland

Purpose

Psychosocial disorders have shown increasing prevalence across the population in recent years. The project aims to deepen the understanding of the mental‑health benefits of physical activity, highlighting the contextual factors of physical activity — such as the characteristics of physical activity, the importance of individual factors and psychosocial environment — and compile research-based knowledge into a new material for health and physical activity practitioners. The project also aims to strengthen the competencies of physical activity counsellors in promoting physical activity from a mental‑health perspective, especially among those who have psychosocial functional limitations.

Methods

The project includes 1) a review of reviews synthesizing the evidence on the contextual factors of physical activity and mental health, 2) a Delphi-survey among national experts and practitioners to gather broader perspectives of promoting and treating mental health with physical activity, and 3) developing a model and educational material for physical activity counsellors to facilitate its implementation, application and dissemination in practice. The evaluation will be based on the feedback from physical activity counsellors and their clients.

Results

The project will produce a review and practical model of physical activity and mental health, and result in educational material for health and physical activity practitioners that emphasize the contextual factors of physical activity for supporting mental health.

Conclusions

The project will provide deeper understanding of the contextual and personal factors that shape the association of physical activity and mental health. The project will develop practices for promoting physical activity and mental health, especially among people with psychosocial limitations.

3:43pm - 3:46pm

Physical Activity for Mental Health: Delphi-survey for national researchers and experts

Anu Kangasniemi¹, Pauliina Husu²

1: JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Finland; 2: The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland

Purpose
As a part of the Physical activity for Mental Health -project this study aimed to explore the opinions of experts and researchers on the content and scope of the physical activity (PA) to promote mental health. Further aim was to synthesize and integrate opinions into mental‑health–supportive principles in PA practices.

Methods
A Delphi survey with two rounds was used to study opinions of national experts and researchers of the field. Participants were chosen based on their expertise and experience regarding enhancing or treating mental health through PA. On the first round the respondents (N=31) received open-ended questions on the aspects of PA for promoting and treating mental health. The responses (n=14) were synthesized and based on them the second round was provided with semi-structured questions. After the second round the final consensus was summarized.

Results
The project resulted in deeper consensus and understanding of the topic giving expert views regarding the contextual factors between PA and mental health. The results of the Delphi survey will be utilized in the promotion and treatment of mental health through PA, and in the development of educational material for health and PA practitioners.

Conclusions
The Delphi study provided deeper understanding of the opinions of experts and researchers of the relationship between PA and mental health. The results of the study focused on contextual aspects and psychosocial factors that affect the relationship between mental health and physical activity. Study will facilitate future education and practices of PA counsellors and health professionals.

3:46pm - 3:49pm

Breathing with Nature: A Volunteer-Led Outdoor Mindful Physical Activity Model Supporting Mental Health and Active Ageing

Andraž Purger

Assosiation School of Health (Društvo Šola zdravja), Slovenia

Background

Physical inactivity, social isolation, and declining mental well-being among older adults represent major public health challenges. “Breathing with Nature” is a Slovenian humanitarian, community-based programme implemented by the NGO Šola zdravja since 2021. The study aimed to evaluate whether a structured, nature-based, volunteer-led physical activity intervention improves mental well-being, social participation, and emotional regulation among predominantly older adults. The innovative aspect lies in combining breathing techniques, mindful walking, gentle mobility exercises, and cognitive stimulation within a scalable volunteer network.

Methods

A mixed-method design was used. Quantitative data were collected via surveys in spring (N=174) and autumn (N=175) 2025 assessing self-reported well-being, sleep, symptoms, trust, and social participation. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted. Qualitative semi-structured interviews explored perceived life changes and programme impact. In 2025, the intervention was delivered over six months, once per week, across 32 groups in 20 municipalities and 11 Slovenian regions, with 656 outdoor sessions and 4,700+ attendances.

Results

Participants reporting poor well-being decreased from 4% to 2.3%. Those “always interested” in social participation increased from 39.7% to 47.4%. Emotional expression and interpersonal trust improved. Qualitative findings highlighted stress reduction, improved sleep, enhanced mobility, emotional stability, and stronger connectedness to nature. Longer participation correlated with increased breathing awareness and emotional regulation.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that structured, low-cost, volunteer-led outdoor mindful physical activity can effectively support mental health, social inclusion, and active ageing. The model demonstrates scalability and transferability for integration into national HEPA and community health strategies.

Co-financed by the Slovenian Ministry of Health.

3:49pm - 3:52pm

Health walks, green spaces and local policies within the 24-hour movement behaviour paradigm: the regional experience of Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy)

Laura Pagani¹, Maria Rosita Cagnina¹, Tiziana Del Fabbro², Luana Sandrin³, Alessia Del Bianco⁴

1: Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Udine, Italy; 2: Federsanità ANCI FVG, Italy; 3: Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region Central Directorate for Health, Social Policies and Disability, Italy; 4: PromoTurismoFVG Strategies, Development Operations for Tourism

Within the 24-hour movement behaviour paradigm, which considers physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep as interdependent components of health, promoting walking in accessible green environments represents an effective strategy to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In this framework, this contribution presents guided health walks organised within the project “FVG in movimento. 10,000 passi di salute”, promoted by Federsanità ANCI FVG with the support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, in collaboration with municipalities, local associations and qualified exercise instructors, to encourage physical activity in nearby natural environments and promote proximity tourism.
The project led to the creation of 129 walking routes (about 800 km), mostly in green areas, providing opportunities for regular physical activity across the region.
The programme shows high compliance among local authorities, with most municipalities participating, reflecting a strong commitment to health promotion. Preliminary results from an ongoing questionnaire survey indicate that local administrators are highly sensitive to these issues, although most participating municipalities are small and have limited financial and human resources.
Citizen involvement has been strong: about 3,500 people took part in 50 health walks during the last year, with positive feedback and increasing participation driven by word of mouth among participants. This represents a relevant outcome of the project. The interaction among the Region, municipalities, associations and citizens fostered the development of “active communities”, able to continue physical activity initiatives beyond the project.
These results suggest that promoting walking in green environments can support healthier daily behaviours and represent a sustainable HEPA strategy.

3:52pm - 3:55pm

Promoting mental health through physical activity by improving sleep: the French interministerial roadmap on sleep

ROXANE BERJAOUI

MOH, France

Background and aim

Sleep is a major determinant of mental health and psychological wellbeing. In France, nearly one in five people sleeps less than six hours per night, and 45% of the population reports experiencing at least one sleep disorder. Scientific evidence also shows that regular physical activity improves both the quality and regularity of sleep, which itself acts as a protective factor for mental health. France adopted an interministerial roadmap on sleep (2025–2026) aimed at strengthening the prevention of sleep disorders by addressing health behaviours, including physical activity. This abstract presents this public policy approach linking the promotion of physical activity, improved sleep, and mental health prevention.

Methods

The roadmap was developed through a cross-governmental process involving the health, education, labor and research sectors. It promotes behaviors that support healthy sleep, including regular physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior. Prevention messages and initiatives disseminated by national health institutions emphasize that physical activity, together with nutrition and sleep, constitutes a key determinant of overall health. These principles are reflected in the communication strategies and recommendations of the French National Nutrition and Health Programme (PNNS) which encourages the adoption of active lifestyles.

Results

This approach contributes to better integrating the interactions between physical activity, sleep and mental health within prevention policies. Joint mobilization of actors from the health, education and prevention sectors helps promote behaviours that support healthier daily rhythms and psychological wellbeing. Monitoring mechanisms are planned to assess the implementation of the roadmap and its contribution to improving health behaviours.