PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

In the Czech Republic, there is a low and still decreasing level of physical activity and increasing prevalence of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, osteoporosis and colon cancer. Engaging in regular physical activity, even of moderate intensity, reduces the risk of those diseases. Additionally, regular physical activity has also been shown to facilitate better stress management, alleviate depression and anxiety, strengthen self-esteem, enhance mood and boost mental alertness. The experience of foreign countries clearly shows that the issues of promoting physical activity require a systematic and methodical approach in terms of policy on national scale as well as on the level of lower territorial units and municipalities. Policy is understood as the process and method of binding decision making of a certain group of people with pluralistic interests and opinions. In terms of these collective decisions, policy constitutes the art of administering public affairs, the art of governing a country and protecting the interests of one country against another one, creating and maintaining relationships. Within this context, the authors of the article deal with the issues of promoting physical activity and managing community recreation in the Czech Republic and analyse current political documents relating to promoting physical activity.