Promoting physical activity in community settings: A critical exploration of intervention development, evaluation and implementation

Bird, Emma

Abstract

Evidence demonstrating the important and wide-ranging benefits of regular physical activity is well documented, however, one in four of the world’s population is insufficiently active. Efforts to develop and implement effective interventions that facilitate and promote physical activity are therefore urgently required. Through submission of six academic works, published between 2013 and 2019, alongside a critical commentary, this thesis seeks to meet the UWE Bristol requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy by publication (DPhil) award in demonstrating a significant contribution to new knowledge in the area of community-based physical activity intervention development, evaluation and implementation.
While the publications submitted refer to research conducted in a range of settings, with different populations of interest and methodological approaches applied, they share a common focus: interventions that promote physical activity in community settings. In the critical commentary, each publication is critically examined, with reference to Medical Research Council guidance on developing and evaluating complex interventions. The critical commentary also provides additional insight into the importance of the research undertaken and its contribution to existing knowledge; it explores the methodological approaches utilised; it demonstrates the candidate’s intellectual contribution to submitted works; and, it charts the candidate’s development as a researcher and plans for future research.
Overall, the thesis makes the case for the development, evaluation and implementation of effective and replicable physical activity interventions for the real world, that explicitly consider the socio-ecological factors influencing physical activity behaviours and that reduce inequalities in health. A number of recommendations are proposed to support public health researchers, practitioners and decision-makers in the future development, evaluation and implementation of interventions that promote physical activity in community settings.

Citation

Bird, E. Promoting physical activity in community settings: A critical exploration of intervention development, evaluation and implementation. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/3394874

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Sep 30, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 5, 2020
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/3394874
• Award Date: Jun 5, 2020