Advancing Methods for Community-Based Physical Activity Programming: an Implementation Science Perspective

The promotion of physical activity has been a key public health priority for decades; however, it has proven challenging to implement or enhance programs, policies, and practices in community settings to create population shifts in physical activity. The National Physical Activity Plan provides a robust set of strategies and tactics that could be employed at state levels to guide and support change; however, capacity-building strategies are ultimately needed at the local level to impact population health. An established axiom of public health is that "All health is local," so the focus in this paper is on the importance of community engagement and implementation science strategies in building capacity in community settings for coordinated physical activity programming.