SOPIVA project - Adapted physical activiy from strategy to practice

For adapted physical activity services to be developed, a comprehensive knowledge base on existing services and their use is needed. The knowledge base helps to develop the competence and management of adapted physical activity, which requires cross-administration, in municipalities and welfare areas. 

The SOPIVA project clarifies what kind of background information and action models are used in municipalities to promote the physical ability and well-being of people with disabilities. Physical activity and exercising of disabled people require strong cross-administrative cooperation between municipalities and welfare areas. 

The project produces a situational description of adapted physical activity in the region for use of regional state administrative agencies and municipalities, and assists with the use of the evidence-based management tool, the Strategic Planning Workbook of Adapted Physical Activity, to create the municipality's physical activity and exercise plan. Working on the plan in the municipalities helps to discuss the provision of adapted physical activity services and the division of responsibilities. The SOPIVA project emphasizes the knowledge base, the setting of common goals and the division of responsibilities between different actors. The procedure enables evidence-based management and the transfer of researched knowledge to practical work. 

 

The project's procedure in practice

In the project, we produce a regional overview of the current situation of adapted physical activity, which shows the potential demand for adapted physical activity, arrangements and existing resources by municipality. Together with the regional state administrative agency, we organize a seminar for the municipalities, where we present the results of the regional review and train the employees of the municipalities in the implementation of the Strategic Planning Workbook of Adapted Physical Activity.

The municipality independently starts the development using the Workbook and, if necessary, receives support for this from the employees of the SOPIVA project. At the end of the project, the development plans of the municipalities will be presented at the closing ceremony of the regional state administrative agency's area to the representatives of the municipalities and the welfare areas.

 

Contact information:

Venla Väyrynen, project cordinator, venla.vayrynen(a)lts.fi
Timo Ala-Vähälä, researcher, timo.ala-vahala(a)lts.fi