Discuss two strategies that might get more individuals more physically active. These
typically involve some of the things allied health professionals might use in their
counselling. Provide examples of allied health professionals and some of their counselling
strategies
Good- A personal trainer when working one on one with a client could discuss strategies they can use
to set goals or identify opportunities to be active.
Better- Recommending and providing print media such as a brochures or pamphlets containing
important information about being active is an example of an individual strategy a General Practitioner
(GP) might use with a patient. Counselling is also an example of an individual-level strategy used to
promote physical activity. A GP could also counsel a patient about the importance of setting goals and
writing them down and employing the use of a reward system when they achieve their goals.
Comments: The better answer not only identified the two individual-level strategies, it also discussed
in more detail two counselling strategies that could be used by the allied health professional, in this
case a GP was used as an example.
Explain why a social ecological approach to promoting physical activity may be more
effective than simply making change to a policy. Provide an example strategy that
could be implemented at the individual- level and within the physical environment to
encourage more students in a school to be active.
Good- Using more than one strategy increases the likelihood of behavioural change. Individuals could
seek counselling about their activity levels. Also bike racks and traffic calming could be introduced to
encourage more active commuting to and from school.
Better- Physical activity behaviour is complex as it is influenced by multiple factors across a range of
different levels including individual, environmental (social & physical) and policy factors. The more
effective way to change physical activity behaviour is to target all levels of influence. Simply making a
change at one level will not be sufficient to lead to behavioural change. Having student complete
homework tasks where they use self management strategies such as goal setting is an example of an
individual-level strategy. Installing new facilities such as a new all weather surface or basketball ring
is an example of a change to the physical environment.
Comments: The first answer was fairly vague and did not make a link between counselling and the
relevant level of influence within the social ecological model. Most individual and population-level
strategies can be implemented at any level within the social ecological model. The better response
provided very specific examples of strategies that could be implemented within the social ecological
models levels of influence that relate to the individual and the physical environment.
Discuss two examples of how Vichealth promotes physical activity for Victorians.
Good- VicHealth funds research about physical activity and has a range of print media available that
encourage people to be active.
Better- VicHealth supports participation in sport and active recreation by providing financial support
to individuals and clubs in the form of scholarships and come and try days. VicHealth also promotes
active and safe routes to school and supports projects that encourage children’s play and physical
activity outside school hours.
Comments -The better answer provides specific examples of how VicHealth promotes physical
activity and provides the answer in more of a discussion format rather than the first response which is
very brief. The better answer not only identifies the examples it also outlines the key setting, in this
case sporting clubs (community) and safe routes to school also within the context of a community
setting. All initiatives and programs promoting physical activity are all delivered within a particular
setting such as: Schools, community, home, workplace, transport or health care settings.