A concept mapping approach to explore the perceived facilitating factors in shifting sedentary behavior into (more) physical activity: perspectives of healthcare professionals versus sedentary and/or inactive adults.

Abstract

Purpose: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) such as Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP)-coaches and physiotherapists might play a crucial role in activating sedentary and/or inactive adults, which in turn might benefit their health. We aimed to explore the perceived facilitating factors to shift sedentary behavior (SB) into more physical activity (PA) comparing two perspectives 1) sedentary and/or inactive adults and 2) HCPs in their role to activate these adults.

Methods: A mixed method approach, i.e. concept mapping, was used to explore the facilitating factors among 1) HCPs (n = 10) and 2) adults (n = 40). During a brainstorm, perceived facilitating factors were gathered in response to one seeding statement 'what help(s) you/your clients to shift SB into (more) PA?'. Thereafter, all answers were sorted by relatedness into different piles and each answer was rated on effectiveness, feasibility, changeability and enjoyment (5-point Likert scale). Data analysis was done via RCMap.

Results: Clusters identified by both HCPs and adults included 'social networks', 'everyday activities as opportunities for PA', 'awareness of PA benefits', 'motivation regarding PA', 'integration of PA into daily routines', 'goal-setting to facilitate PA', 'environmental facilities', 'financial resources', and 'technology, digital tools and external tools to facilitate PA'. Each group created unique clusters such as factors related to the 'work environment' by adults and factors related to 'tailored support to facilitate PA' by HCPs. The average rating for each cluster was higher for HCPs compared to adults for effectiveness (4/5 vs 3.5/5), feasibility (3.8/5 vs 3.1/5), and changeability (3.7/5 vs 3.2/5).

Conclusions: HCPs and sedentary and/or inactive adults identified factors at the intra- and interpersonal level which were rated as feasible, effective and changeable, as well as factors at the responsibility of external stakeholders such as employers or policy makers. These results highlight that future interventions aimed at shifting SB into PA include a multilevel challenge.