[How to encourage patients to increase physical activity during their hospital stay]

Patients are insufficiently physically active during their hospital stay. Therefore, it is important to develop, evaluate, and implement interventions that encourage patients to be physically active as much as possible. Hastings et al. studied the effect of a supervised walking program called STRIDE. This program appeared effective in terms of reducing discharges to a nursing home, however, the implementation had an exceptionally low reach. In this commentary article, we highlight multifaceted interventions that have an impact on various barriers and facilitators related to physical activity of patients during their hospital stay. We present the Dutch Moving Hospitals ('Beweegziekenhuizen') initiative and highlight three interventions: Ban Bedcentricity ('Beteruit bed'), Hospital Fit and Better by Moving ('BeterBewegen'). Now is the time for interprofessional collaboration to develop, evaluate, and implement interventions that encourage patients to be as physically active as possible during their hospital stay.