Presentation: Report on the investigation of how physical

activities can be promoted in the rural areas of Limpopo

Thohoyandou area in 2022.

Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that
require energy expenditure.

A serious challenge to population health equity in Thohoyandou is the lack of policy, practice, and
research action on physical activity and aspects of the physical environments in rural areas. This
paper provides a review of current evidence on the promotion of physical activity in rural areas, as
well as the results of a national priority-setting meeting and an introductory call to action to aid the
implementation and success of population-level initiatives promoting physical activity in rural areas.

1. Create Healthy Environments by Making It Easier to be

Physically Active Where We Live, Learn, Play, and Pray.

2. Design Activity-Friendly Routes e.g. Promoting walking and

biking in your community can be easier with activity-friendly routes

3. Launch a Community Health Challenge e.g. Media campaigns

can produce positive changes in populations, whether it’s encouraging
people to buy wellness products or improve their active lifestyles.

There were just a few reviews that focused on physical activities and the built environment in rural
areas defined as top priorities for policy, practice, and research action at the priority-setting
conference to begin to address the gaps and the difficulties found in the Literature. Self-
identification of community needs, accumulating experiences, ensuring consistency in research
definitions and techniques, and developing mentorship opportunities are among priorities.

The proposals offered in this call to action will require coordinated action across policy, practice, and
research domains to be successful.