Implementation of Physical Activity-Based Health Promotion Measures in Schools—Examples and Evaluations from Germany

Health prevention and promotion are increasingly important in the school context. Beyond physical education, measures focused on physical activity (PA) are implemented to enhance students’ mental and physical health. The first aim of this study was to systematically describe two school-based health promotion measures that were based on the idea of active school concepts against the background of the German educational and health policies as well as the German school system. The second aim was to assess the process and implementation quality and potential outcomes of the measures and to identify factors that promote or hinder the implementation of the measures. Both measures were funded and supported by health insurance companies. The measure Fitness at School supported approximately 1195 schools in the last thirteen years by promoting PA-related projects at schools. In the measure Active School NRW, schools that best implement the concept of an active school were awarded. The results provide insights into the conditions that hinder and support the implementation of PA-based health promotion measures at schools and are discussed against the background of sustainable health promotion. Overall, the evaluation indicates that financial investments in health-prevention and -promotion measures in the school setting are beneficial