ABSTRACT
The chapter examines the interplay between the promotion and prescription of physical activity and public health. It outlines the historical development of the modern public health movement in which the imperative of physical activity has developed. Dominant public health discourses emphasising healthy lifestyle behaviours are linked to the contemporary emphasis on physical activity. A critique of policy agendas reinforcing ideas about individual responsibility for physical activity is presented and alternative strategies for ensuring potential benefits of physical activity for public health might be realised are offered. Three overlapping strategies are examined: (1) an emphasis on community-based and participatory approaches, (2) recognition of cross sector expertise and knowledge exchange and (3) a focus on collaborative partnership approaches to evaluation.
