Abstract
Investing in physical activity (PA) is vital for achieving sustainable development goals. We examine PA trends in Poland using data from Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2013, 2017, and 2022. In 2022, 64.6% of Poles did not participate in sports, and 41.8% did not engage in non-sport PA. There is a concerning trend of increasing inactivity in sports (Chi22022/2017 = 34.64; p < 0.001; Chi22017/2013 = 56.98; p < 0.001) and non-sports PA (Chi22022/2017 = 18.3, p < 0.01 and Chi22017/2013 = 16.95, p < 0.01). Participation in sport and PA is influenced by individual, inter-personal, environmental, political, and global factors. Notably, there is an upward trend in interpersonal (e.g., club membership, volunteering), environmental (e.g., PA in parks/nature, at home), and political (e.g., dissatisfaction with local government actions) factors. Government intervention is crucial and requires: (1) establishment of an institution for leadership and advocacy of PA, (2) adoption of a cross-sectoral approach for a coordinated change, and (3) increased in-vestment in monitoring systems to track the impact of interventions. These actions are essential for fostering a more active and healthier population in Poland.
Recommended Citation
Biernat E, Piatkowska M, Podstawski R. Sports and physical activity of Poles in the context of good health and well-being as a sustainable development goal. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2025;17(2):Article4. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.17.2.04
Author ORCID Identifier
Elżbieta Biernat ORCID 0000-0002-4675-5017
Monika Piątkowska ORCID 0000-0003-3844-550X
Robert Podstawski ORCID 0000-0002-1492-252X
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
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Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Health and Physical Education Commons, Sports Medicine Commons, Sports Sciences Commons, Sports Studies Commons
