Theme F Introduction

The final section of the Handbook presents a series of regional and country-specific case studies of physical activity policy and practice. Government departments around the world are formulating policy responses as a result of the escalating importance placed on physical activity. The chapters which follow explore historic and current policy initiatives, the pertinent political, economic and cultural priorities of the area which inform policy and a description of the dominant forms of physical activity in the area’s occupations, leisure and education systems.