Planetary health in physical activity policy documents: A qualitative analysis of national guidelines and strategy documents from Germany, Austria and Switzerland Planetare Gesundheit in der Bewegungspolitik: Eine qualitative Analyse nationaler Leitlinien und Strategiedokumente aus Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz

Moriz M, Abu-Omar K, Siefken K (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research Springer

DOI: 10.1007/s12662-026-01112-w

Abstract

Introduction: Regular physical activity is a key strategy for preventing noncommunicable diseases and promoting well-being and quality of life. Increasingly, however, physical activity promotion is recognized as being closely linked to ecological sustainability and planetary health. This study examines the extent to which environmentally friendly physical activity promotion and planetary health-related aspects are reflected in national physical activity guidelines and policy documents from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Methods: Twenty-seven national physical activity policy documents (Germany n = 6; Austria n = 8; Switzerland n = 13) were identified via the Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!). A structured qualitative content analysis was conducted following Kuckartz and Rädiker (2024), using a category system developed through deductive and inductive procedures, complemented by cross-country comparisons. Results: Clear cross-national differences emerged. Swiss documents primarily emphasize infrastructural and environmental conditions for physical activity, while explicit environmental framing remains limited. German policies focus strongly on active mobility but predominantly frame it in terms of individual health benefits. Austrian strategies most comprehensively integrate environmental and health objectives, explicitly linking physical activity promotion to climate and sustainability goals. Conclusion: The findings indicate that physical activity policies in the German-speaking countries largely remain embedded in a health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) paradigm, with planetary health considerations only partially integrated. Aligning future physical activity guidelines more explicitly with planetary health concepts—through sustainable mobility, nature-based activity, and environmental health education—could strengthen the ecological and public health relevance of physical activity promotion.

Authors with CRIS profile

Karim Abu-Omar Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports

Involved external institutions

MSH Medical School Hamburg - Fachhochschule für Gesundheit und Medizin DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Moriz, M., Abu-Omar, K., & Siefken, K. (2026). Planetary health in physical activity policy documents: A qualitative analysis of national guidelines and strategy documents from Germany, Austria and Switzerland Planetare Gesundheit in der Bewegungspolitik: Eine qualitative Analyse nationaler Leitlinien und Strategiedokumente aus Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-026-01112-w

MLA:

Moriz, Maria, Karim Abu-Omar, and Katja Siefken. "Planetary health in physical activity policy documents: A qualitative analysis of national guidelines and strategy documents from Germany, Austria and Switzerland Planetare Gesundheit in der Bewegungspolitik: Eine qualitative Analyse nationaler Leitlinien und Strategiedokumente aus Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz." German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research (2026).

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