Older Adults’ Experiences of a Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Intervention: A Nested Qualitative Study in the SITLESS Multi-Country Randomised Clinical Trial

Nicole E. Blackburn, Mathias Skjodt, Mark A. Tully, Ilona Mc Mullan, Maria Giné-Garriga, Paolo Caserotti, Sergi Blancafort, Marta Santiago, Sara Rodriguez-Garrido, Gudrun Weinmayr, Ulrike John-Köhler, Katharina Wirth, Javier Jerez-Roig, Dhayana Dallmeier, Jason J. Wilson, Manuela Deidda, Emma McIntosh, Laura Coll-Planas and on behalf of the SITLESS Group
Additional contact information
Nicole E. Blackburn: Institute of Nursing and Health Research, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK
Mathias Skjodt: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Center for Active and Healthy Ageing (CAHA), University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
Mark A. Tully: Institute of Mental Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK
Ilona Mc Mullan: Institute of Mental Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK
Maria Giné-Garriga: Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Paolo Caserotti: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Center for Active and Healthy Ageing (CAHA), University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
Sergi Blancafort: Fundació Salut i Envelliment (Foundation on Health and Ageing)-UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
Marta Santiago: Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Sara Rodriguez-Garrido: Fundació Salut i Envelliment (Foundation on Health and Ageing)-UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
Gudrun Weinmayr: Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, 89075 Ulm, Germany
Ulrike John-Köhler: Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, 89075 Ulm, Germany
Katharina Wirth: Agaplesion Bethesda Clinic, Geriatric Research Unit Ulm University and Geriatric Center, 89073 Ulm, Germany
Javier Jerez-Roig: Research Group on Methodology, Methods, Models and Outcome of Health and Social Sciences (M3O), Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVIC-UCC), 08500 Vic, Spain
Dhayana Dallmeier: Agaplesion Bethesda Clinic, Geriatric Research Unit Ulm University and Geriatric Center, 89073 Ulm, Germany
Jason J. Wilson: Institute of Mental Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK
Manuela Deidda: Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA), Institute of Health and Well-Being (IHW), University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RZ, UK
Emma McIntosh: Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA), Institute of Health and Well-Being (IHW), University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RZ, UK
Laura Coll-Planas: Fundació Salut i Envelliment (Foundation on Health and Ageing)-UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
on behalf of the SITLESS Group: Membership of the SITLESS Group is provided in the Acknowledgments.

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: Background: The SITLESS programme comprises exercise referral schemes and self-management strategies and has been evaluated in a trial in Denmark, Spain, Germany and Northern Ireland. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the implementation and contextual aspects of the intervention in relation to the mechanisms of impact and to explore the perceived effects. Methods: Qualitative methodologies were nested in the SITLESS trial including 71 individual interviews and 12 focus groups targeting intervention and control group participants from postintervention to 18-month follow-up in all intervention sites based on a semi-structured topic guide. Results: Overarching themes were identified under the framework categories of context, implementation, mechanisms of impact and perceived effects. The findings highlight the perceived barriers and facilitators to older adults’ engagement in exercise referral schemes. Social interaction and enjoyment through the group-based programmes are key components to promote adherence and encourage the maintenance of targeted behaviours through peer support and connectedness. Exit strategies and signposting to relevant classes and facilities enabled the maintenance of positive lifestyle behaviours. Conclusions: When designing and implementing interventions, key components enhancing social interaction, enjoyment and continuity should be in place in order to successfully promote sustained behaviour change.

Keywords: exercise referral schemes; qualitative study; behaviour change; sedentary behaviour; physical activity; ageing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
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