Factors influencing physical activity level of the inhabitants in Norway and Poland – the case of sports and recreation infrastructure

Physical activity is of great importance for physical and mental health of the society. Both in Norway and in Poland, responsibility for actions in the field of physical activity largely rests at the lowest level of the administration structure municipal governments. The aim of this study was to determine the declared level of physical activity of surveyed groups from two different countries and factors influencing it. Focus was put on local sports and recreation infrastructure in research regions. The research process was based on diagnostic survey method, but it also involved analysis of documents, subject literature and existing statistical data. The research was carried out in local municipalities in two regions: Inner Sogn in Norway (8 municipalities) and Kalisz county in Poland (11 municipalities) and included surveys collected from in total 760 adult respondents, as well as interviews with representants of all 19 local governments who work in the field of physical activity. Results show that among respondents from Norway the physical activity level is 2 times higher than among respondents from Poland. It is also proven that Norwegians use sports and recreation infrastructure more often and they evaluate it much better than Poles. What is more, in both groups, those persons who use infrastructure have significantly higher physical activity level. A conclusion can be presented that the local governments, especially in Poland, should pay more attention to the offer of sports and recreation infrastructure, because that will make inhabitants more satisfied with it and use it more. This in consequence, will positively influence their level of physical activity. It is important to note that there are also other factors strongly influencing people’s physical activity, such as internal and external motivation and attractiveness of the area. That is why research on factors influencing physical activity needs to be continued.