National recommendations for health-enhancing physical activity: the situation for Switzerland in 2011 and options for further developments

National recommendations on physical activity for health are an important element of a comprehensive strategy to promote physical activity and sport. Switzerland has developed recommendations for adults in 1999 and for young people in 2006. International experts have recommended that in view of new global and international recommendations, countries in Europe should review their national recommendations. Therefore, five important international and illustrative national examples of recommendations for different age groups were analyzed with regard to implications for the Swiss situation. Overall, the Swiss recommendations for young people and adults are in line with recent evidence but some differences were found regarding specific aspects. Also, no recommendations for pre-school children or older adults exist. Options for updates and further developments of the current Swiss recommendations were developed. They form the basis of a national process lead by the Swiss Federal Office of Sport, which also includes a wide consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-88409 Published Version Originally published at: Kahlmeier, Sonja; Alpiger, P; Martin, B W (2012). National recommendations for health-enhancing physical activity: the situation for Switzerland in 2011 and options for further developments. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin und Sporttraumatologie, 60(3):96-101. Kahlmeier S. et al. 96