Using system mapping to help plan and implement city-wide action to promote physical activity

Background. There is growing interest in conceptualising public health problems such as physical inactivity as the outcome of multiple interacting factors within complex systems. Methods. We worked with stakeholders involved in a city-wide physical activity promotion programme in Derby, UK to prodiuce conceptual maps of the major modifiable drivers of physical activity, and used them to explore ways in which the existing programme took a systems approach, and how it might be enhanced. Semi-structured interviews were subsequently undertaken to assess their views on the contribution of the mapping approach. Results. Feedback from stakeholders described the mapping as valuable, especially in helping to identify the limitations of the original approach taken in the city. Conclusions. Even a very simple application of systems thinking can be a useful tool for disaggregating the key factors driving a system, helping to identify areas that merit greater attention, and supporting effective action.

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Reply to the comments on “Improving physical fitness and health status perception in community-dwelling older adults through a structured program for physical activity promotion in the city of Naples, Italy: A randomized controlled trial”

Geriatrics and Gerontology International ◽

10.1111/ggi.13294 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 660-662 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Francesca Gallè ◽

Giorgio Liguori

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Fitness And Health ◽

Structured Program ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

The City

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A comprehensive physical activity promotion programme at elementary school: the effects on physical activity, physical fitness and psychosocial correlates of physical activity

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007223900 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 477-484 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Stefanie JM Verstraete ◽

Greet M Cardon ◽

Dirk LR De Clercq ◽

Ilse MM De Bourdeaudhuij

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Elementary Schools ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Accelerometer Data ◽

Psychosocial Correlates ◽

Promotion Programme ◽

Activity Promotion

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of a comprehensive physical activity (PA) promotion programme in elementary schools on children's total PA levels, leisure-time PA, physical fitness and psychosocial correlates of PA.DesignA pre-test–post-test design over two school years.Setting and subjectsSixteen elementary schools (764 children, mean age: 11.2 ± 0.7 years) were randomly assigned to the intervention condition (n = 8) and the control condition (n = 8). The intervention included a health-related physical education programme, an extracurricular PA promotion programme and classroom-based PA education lessons. In the total sample, leisure-time PA, psychosocial correlates of PA and physical fitness were measured using a PA questionnaire and the Eurofit test battery. In a sub-sample, total PA levels were measured using an accelerometer.ResultsAccording to accelerometer data, children's moderate PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels decreased less in the intervention schools than in the control schools (P < 0.01). The average time spent on MVPA decreased by 9 min per day in the intervention schools compared with 33 min per day in the control schools. Children in the intervention schools reported significantly more moderate PA in leisure time than the controls (P < 0.05). No overall improvement of physical fitness and no effects on the psychosocial correlates of PA were found.ConclusionsThe comprehensive PA promotion programme was successful in preventing a decline in children's total activity levels. Furthermore, the intervention increased children's PA engagement in leisure time. Therefore, implementation needs to be encouraged.

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Physical activity promotion in German vocational education: does capacity building work?

Health Promotion International ◽

10.1093/heapro/daaa014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 1577-1589 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Johanna Popp ◽

Johannes Carl ◽

Eva Grüne ◽

Jana Semrau ◽

Peter Gelius ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Vocational Education ◽

Capacity Building ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Physically Active ◽

Activity Promotion

Abstract Apprentices in many sectors are exposed to increased health risks and show low levels of physical activity (PA). Environmental and policy approaches seem to be promising tools for PA promotion as they can positively influence the context in which PA occurs. This article reports results from a German research project (2015–2018) that developed and implemented measures for PA promotion in the field of vocational education (VE). A participatory approach—cooperative planning (COP)—involving researchers as well as stakeholders from policy and practice was used in two VE settings—nursing care and automotive mechatronics. We assessed the extent to which new capacities for PA promotion were created by conducting semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from both sectors (n = 12) and one group interview with nursing students (n = 4). Transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings show that new capacities were created mainly in the form of resources and opportunities and that several measures for PA promotion (e.g. a regular lesson on the issue of PA and health and a tutoring system) were successfully integrated into VE routines. However, establishing new organizational goals and obligations appeared to be challenging. Moreover, the article presents influencing factors, such as the participation of the main actors that strongly supported the process of capacity building within their organization. We conclude that COP seems promising in creating new capacities for PA promotion in the field of VE, and therefore has the potential to promote a physically active lifestyle among apprentices.

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10,000 Steps Australia: a community-wide eHealth physical activity promotion programme

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2017-097625 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (14) ◽

pp. 885-886 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Mitch J Duncan ◽

Wendy J Brown ◽

W Kerry Mummery ◽

Corneel Vandelanotte

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Promotion Programme ◽

Activity Promotion

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Feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity promotion programme in general practice

Family Practice ◽

10.1093/fampra/cmh414 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 429-436 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

E. M. van Sluijs

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

General Practice ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Promotion Programme ◽

Activity Promotion

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“They turn to you first for everything”: insights into midwives’ perspectives of providing physical activity advice and guidance to pregnant women

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-019-2607-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Marlize De Vivo ◽

Hayley Mills

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Local Community ◽

Policy Research ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Support Network ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Activity Engagement ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Physical Activity Advice

Abstract Background The antenatal period is associated with a decline in physical activity among women. Midwives are viewed central to the dissemination of information during pregnancy, however, there is little research relating to their promotion of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into midwives’ perspectives of providing physical activity advice and guidance to pregnant women Methods Community midwives (N = 10) from ten randomly selected antenatal clinics in England took part in semi-structured interviews which were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically Results In relation to perceived role and responsibilities in providing physical activity advice and guidance, midwives emphasised the extent to which their profession has evolved, the perceived burden of responsibility, and the tick box approach to physical activity discussion. Midwives identified a lack of training, knowledge, confidence, time, resources, and perceptions of vulnerability as barriers to effective physical activity promotion. Despite these issues midwives proposed eight opportunities to facilitate pregnant women’s physical activity engagement: (1) recognising and addressing barriers in the uptake and maintenance of physical activities, (2) professional development, (3) inter-professional collaboration, (4) communicating effectively through simple, reliable resources, (5) improved access, availability, and awareness of suitable activities in the local community, (6) encouraging a support network, (7) “selling” physical activity by challenging misconceptions and focusing on benefits, and (8) suitable motivation, incentives and reward. Conclusions These opportunities identified by midwives provide foundations from which improvements in practice can result. Whilst midwives are ideally placed to promote physical activity as part of a healthy pregnancy, this is likely to be most effective as part of a wider network of practitioners that share consistent and confident messages regarding physical activity engagement. This notion has far reaching implications for practice, policy, research and the normalisation of active pregnancies in the wider population.

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Physical activity promotion in care homes

Working with Older People ◽

10.1108/wwop-07-2017-0016 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 206-214 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lindsay Turpie ◽

Sandy Whitelaw ◽

Christopher Topping

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Care Homes ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Private Care ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Key Staff ◽

Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the implementation of a physical activity (PA) scheme – Let’s Motivate (LM) – within private care homes (CHs) in Dumfries and Galloway (D&G), Scotland; aiming to provide an insight into the different factors which might contribute to its success and further sustainability. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study is described in which one-to-one semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight key staff involved in implementing the project within two purposively sampled CHs; in order to explore their views and experiences of implementation. Findings The paper provides an insight into the different factors which stand to both promote and impede the successful implementation of LM, within the two CHs involved. Originality/value This paper explores a new and innovative PA initiative in CHs in D&G, Scotland. Studies exploring the factors which can both promote and impede implementation are important as they can help to usefully inform the implementation and sustainability of initiatives.

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Recognition of Barriers to Physical Activity Promotion in Immigrant Children in Spain: A Qualitative Case Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16030431 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 431 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Romain Marconnot ◽

Antonio Marín-Rojas ◽

Jose Delfa-de-la-Morena ◽

Jorge Pérez-Corrales ◽

Javier Gueita-Rodríguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Qualitative Case Study ◽

Social Contact ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Immigrant Children ◽

School Principal ◽

Gender Inequalities ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Activity Promotion

Physical activity facilitates the acquisition of healthy habits from childhood to adulthood. Differences exist regarding the performance of physical activity among immigrant children compared to native Spanish children. The purpose of the study was to describe the barriers that exist for the promotion of physical activity. A qualitative case-study approach was implemented. Parents of immigrant children, teachers, a school principal, and priests were included, using purposeful sampling. Data were collected from 25 participants, via unstructured and semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and researchers’ field notes. A thematic analysis was performed and ecological levels were identified. Our findings revealed the following barriers to performing physical activity: (a) the meaning of physical activity, (b) gender inequalities, (c) academic burden, (d) lack of social contact, (e) expenses and family economy, (f) lack of infrastructure and natural surroundings, (g) time constraints, (h) fear and insecurity, and (i) the reason for immigrating. These results may be used to revise the school curriculum, promoting equal opportunities for physical activity and encouraging family participation. Additionally, urban design policies should be encouraged to facilitate access to open spaces for recreation within cities.

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