Decisiones públicas en la práctica de actividad física en las instituciones educativas de Nemocón – Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: policies aimed at the promotion of physical activity in educational context is a priority in Colombian health. In spite of, this issue is not always taken into account in public decision-making process, especially in rural or local level. The aim was to analyze how public decisions are defined in practice of physical activity in educational institutions in Nemocón, Colombia during the local government 2016-2019. Methodology: Qualitative and interpretative study to understand how the key actors of the municipality define and prioritize local decision related to physical activity in educational context. Three information collection mechanisms were used: semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and documental analysis. Results: The actors have a minimum knowledge of the decisions without having a conception of the physical activity. The concept of physical activity is associated with the practice of exercise and sport under biological and social parameters. It is not articulated a work between the local government and the educational institutions that allows the promotion of the physical activity, by the prioritization of other subjects in the public agenda. Conclusions: The actors involved in decision-making recognize the role of physical activity, but the actions carried out in the municipality constitute a discursive fact that is not consolidated in the action. It is necessary to promote long-term follow-ups that include the implementation of actions in school settings to promote physical activity.