Short answer

Designers should adopt a co-creative stance, facilitating processes where communities actively shape the physical and social environments that promote physical activity.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences (2026)
Method: Case Study Analysis and Collaborative Project Review
Evidence: Strong effect

Involving citizens, stakeholders, and local authorities in the design and implementation of physical activity interventions leads to more equitable, sustainable, and impactful outcomes. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences. Using Case study analysis and collaborative project review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should adopt a co-creative stance, facilitating processes where communities actively shape the physical and social environments that promote physical activity.

Study

User-Centred DesignNew This WeekStrong effect

Co-creation of Active Lifestyles: Empowering Communities for Sustainable Physical Activity

Involving citizens, stakeholders, and local authorities in the design and implementation of physical activity interventions leads to more equitable, sustainable, and impactful outcomes.

Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences · 2026

Key Findings

01Citizen science projects can successfully engage residents in developing locally relevant walking routes.
02Co-creation of outdoor conditions requires user-centered design and robust stakeholder collaboration.
03Demonstrating the health and economic benefits of active mobility through co-creation can drive investment.
04Placemaking initiatives can revitalize public spaces by engaging communities in active lifestyles.
05Adapted cooperative planning and community coordinators are effective for implementing sustainable physical activity programs at a municipal level.

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should adopt a co-creative stance, facilitating processes where communities actively shape the physical and social environments that promote physical activity.

How to apply

When designing public health campaigns or urban planning initiatives, establish participatory workshops and feedback loops with diverse community members and relevant authorities.

Project actions

01Involve potential users early and often in your design process.
02Consider how to make your design accessible and beneficial to a wide range of people.
03Think about how your design can be sustained over time by the community itself.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can participatory and co-creation methodologies be effectively applied to promote sustainable physical activity across diverse European contexts and population groups?

MethodCase Study Analysis and Collaborative Project Review

ProcedureThe research synthesizes findings from five distinct contributions that showcase the application of participatory and co-creative approaches in promoting physical activity. These include citizen science projects for route development, co-creation of outdoor environments, economic assessment tools for active mobility, community engagement for public space activation, and cooperative planning for dementia prevention programs.

ContextPublic Health Promotion, Urban Planning, Community Development

Variables

IVParticipatory and co-creation methodologies

DVSustainability and impact of physical activity promotion

CVEuropean contexts, population groups, specific intervention types

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Draws on multiple case studies across different European settings.
+Emphasizes practical applications of co-creation in real-world scenarios.

Limitations

The specific methods of co-creation might need adaptation depending on the target audience and the complexity of the design challenge.

Reliability & validity

The findings are likely valid within the contexts studied, but reliability across different cultural settings would require further investigation.

Think critically

To what extent can 'co-creation' truly empower marginalized communities, or does it risk reinforcing existing power dynamics if not managed carefully?

Design Principles

"Empowerment through co-creation: Design solutions are most effective when developed collaboratively with the end-users and stakeholders they are intended to serve."

This approach shifts the focus from top-down directives to collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that interventions are relevant to the needs and contexts of the target communities. By empowering users to co-create solutions, designers can foster greater ownership and long-term adherence to active lifestyles.

What This Means for Your Design

When you want people to be more active, it's best to ask them what they want and work together to create solutions, rather than just telling them what to do.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user involvement and community engagement in your design project.
2.Use the findings to justify your chosen user research methods, particularly those involving collaboration.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The principles of participatory design and co-creation, as highlighted in research by Tcymbal (2026), are crucial for developing impactful and sustainable physical activity interventions. By actively involving citizens, stakeholders, and local authorities in the design process, interventions become more equitable, relevant, and likely to foster long-term engagement with active lifestyles.

Source

Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences

S03: Participatory-Based and Co-Creation Approaches in Sustainable Physical Activity Promotion

journal · 2026

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about co-creation of active lifestyles: empowering communities for sustainable physical activity?: Designers should adopt a co-creative stance, facilitating processes where communities actively shape the physical and social environments that promote physical activity. Evidence: Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences (2026).
Why does "Co-creation of Active Lifestyles: Empowering Communities for Sustainable Physical Activity" matter for design?: This approach shifts the focus from top-down directives to collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that interventions are relevant to the needs and contexts of the target communities. By empowering users to co-create solutions, designers can foster greater ownership and long-term adherence to active lifestyles.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers should adopt a co-creative stance, facilitating processes where communities actively shape the physical and social environments that promote physical activity.
What were the main findings?: Citizen science projects can successfully engage residents in developing locally relevant walking routes.. Co-creation of outdoor conditions requires user-centered design and robust stakeholder collaboration.. Demonstrating the health and economic benefits of active mobility through co-creation can drive investment.. Placemaking initiatives can revitalize public spaces by engaging communities in active lifestyles.
What research method was used?: Case Study Analysis and Collaborative Project Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2026 journal from Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing public health campaigns or urban planning initiatives, establish participatory workshops and feedback loops with diverse community members and relevant authorities.
What are the limitations?: The generalizability of findings may be influenced by the specific cultural and socio-economic contexts of the European regions studied.