TY - JOUR
T1 - Promoting participation in physical activity through Snacktivity: A qualitative mixed methods study
AU - Krouwel, Matthew
AU - Greenfield, Sheila M.
AU - Chalkley, Anna
AU - Sanders, James P.
AU - Parretti, Helen M.
AU - Gokal, Kajal
AU - Jolly, Kate
AU - Skrybant, Magdalena
AU - Biddle, Stuart J.H.
AU - Greaves, Colin
AU - Maddison, Ralph
AU - Mutrie, Nanette
AU - Ives, Natalie
AU - Esliger, Dale W.
AU - Sherar, Lauren
AU - Edwardson, Charlotte L.
AU - Yates, Tom
AU - Frew, Emma
AU - Tearne, Sarah
AU - Daley, Amanda J.
N1 - Funding Information: This work was financially supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (www.nihr.ac.uk.) in the form of a grant (RP-PG-0618-20008). AJD was supported by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (www.nihr.ac.uk.) in the form of a Research Professorship award.
PY - 2023/9/11
Y1 - 2023/9/11
N2 - BACKGROUND: Public health guidance acknowledges the benefits of physical activity of any duration. We have proposed a whole-day approach to promoting physical activity called Snacktivity™, which encourages frequent 2-5 minute 'activity snacks' of moderate-to-vigorous intensity. METHODS: Using repeated semi-structured interviews and a think aloud protocol, this study aimed to understand participants' experiences of integrating Snacktivity™ into daily life, to provide insights to refine the delivery of Snacktivity™ interventions. Physically inactive adults recruited via primary care and a community health service engaged with an intervention to encourage Snacktivity™ over three weeks, which included using a Fitbit and linked mobile phone app (SnackApp). Participants took part in semi-structured interviews on two occasions during the intervention, with a sub-group participating in a think aloud study. Three study data sets were generated and independently explored using inductive thematic analysis, with findings combined into a single set of themes. RESULTS: Eleven adults participated in the interview study who were interviewed twice (total interviews completed n = 21, 1 participant declined the second interview), of whom six completed the think aloud study (total voice recordings n = 103). Three main themes emerged from the combined data; lived experience of participating in Snacktivity™, motivation for Snacktivity™ and experiences with the Snacktivity™ technology. Participants undertook a variety of activity snacks, utilising their environment, which they believed improved their psychological wellbeing. Participants were enthusiastic about Snacktivity™, with some stating that activity snacks were more accessible than traditional exercise, but perceived they were often prevented from doing so in the presence of others. Participants were mostly enthusiastic about using the Snacktivity™ technology. CONCLUSION: Participants were able to incorporate Snacktivity™ into their lives, particularly at home, and found this approach acceptable. Participants felt they experienced health benefits from Snacktivity™ although barriers to participation were reported. This study offers insights for translating guidance into practice and supporting people to become more physically active.
AB - BACKGROUND: Public health guidance acknowledges the benefits of physical activity of any duration. We have proposed a whole-day approach to promoting physical activity called Snacktivity™, which encourages frequent 2-5 minute 'activity snacks' of moderate-to-vigorous intensity. METHODS: Using repeated semi-structured interviews and a think aloud protocol, this study aimed to understand participants' experiences of integrating Snacktivity™ into daily life, to provide insights to refine the delivery of Snacktivity™ interventions. Physically inactive adults recruited via primary care and a community health service engaged with an intervention to encourage Snacktivity™ over three weeks, which included using a Fitbit and linked mobile phone app (SnackApp). Participants took part in semi-structured interviews on two occasions during the intervention, with a sub-group participating in a think aloud study. Three study data sets were generated and independently explored using inductive thematic analysis, with findings combined into a single set of themes. RESULTS: Eleven adults participated in the interview study who were interviewed twice (total interviews completed n = 21, 1 participant declined the second interview), of whom six completed the think aloud study (total voice recordings n = 103). Three main themes emerged from the combined data; lived experience of participating in Snacktivity™, motivation for Snacktivity™ and experiences with the Snacktivity™ technology. Participants undertook a variety of activity snacks, utilising their environment, which they believed improved their psychological wellbeing. Participants were enthusiastic about Snacktivity™, with some stating that activity snacks were more accessible than traditional exercise, but perceived they were often prevented from doing so in the presence of others. Participants were mostly enthusiastic about using the Snacktivity™ technology. CONCLUSION: Participants were able to incorporate Snacktivity™ into their lives, particularly at home, and found this approach acceptable. Participants felt they experienced health benefits from Snacktivity™ although barriers to participation were reported. This study offers insights for translating guidance into practice and supporting people to become more physically active.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85170632386&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0291040
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0291040
M3 - Article
C2 - 37695785
AN - SCOPUS:85170632386
VL - 18
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 9
M1 - e0291040
ER -
