Application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for developing several chronic illnesses. However, despite strong evidence indicating the health benefits of physical activity, many university staff and students tend to be physically inactive. University settings provide a st...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15588-w |
| _version_ | 1797845723672215552 |
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| author | Lawrence Bismarck Ndupu Vicki Staples Sigrid Lipka Mark Faghy Nawel Bessadet Chris Bussell |
| author_facet | Lawrence Bismarck Ndupu Vicki Staples Sigrid Lipka Mark Faghy Nawel Bessadet Chris Bussell |
| author_sort | Lawrence Bismarck Ndupu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for developing several chronic illnesses. However, despite strong evidence indicating the health benefits of physical activity, many university staff and students tend to be physically inactive. University settings provide a stable environment where behaviour change interventions can be implemented across multiple levels of change. The aim of this study is to examine the perceived barriers and enablers to physical activity among staff and students in a university setting, using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), a precursor of COM-B behaviour model. Methods This was a qualitative study carried out at a Midlands University in the United Kingdom. Eight group interviews were conducted with the sample (n = 40) consisting of 6 male and 15 female university staff (mean age = 40.5 ± 10.6 years) with different job roles (e.g., academic, administrative, cleaning and catering staff), and 12 male and 7 female students (mean age = 28.6 ± 4.7 years) at different stages of study (e.g., undergraduate, postgraduate, and international students). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and imported into NVivo12 software, responses were mapped using the TDF where theory-driven deductive content analysis was used for data analysis. Results Six prominent domains were identified from the group interviews as enablers and/or barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: Environmental context and resources; intentions; social influences; knowledge; beliefs about capabilities; and social/professional role and identity. The themes emerging from the group interviews fit into all 14 domains of the TDF; however, 71% of the themes fit into the six most prominent domains. Conclusions These findings suggest that several enablers and barriers influence university staff and students’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to engage in physical activity. This study, therefore, provides a theoretical foundation to inform the development of bespoke interventions to increase physical activity among inactive university staff and students. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:43:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1ee77fbeae2843fa9c6d94418264e26f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:43:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-1ee77fbeae2843fa9c6d94418264e26f2023-04-16T11:27:27ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-04-0123111710.1186/s12889-023-15588-wApplication of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative studyLawrence Bismarck Ndupu0Vicki Staples1Sigrid Lipka2Mark Faghy3Nawel Bessadet4Chris Bussell5School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry UniversityHuman Sciences Research Centre, University of DerbyHuman Sciences Research Centre, University of DerbyHuman Sciences Research Centre, University of DerbySchool of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City UniversityHuman Sciences Research Centre, University of DerbyAbstract Background Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for developing several chronic illnesses. However, despite strong evidence indicating the health benefits of physical activity, many university staff and students tend to be physically inactive. University settings provide a stable environment where behaviour change interventions can be implemented across multiple levels of change. The aim of this study is to examine the perceived barriers and enablers to physical activity among staff and students in a university setting, using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), a precursor of COM-B behaviour model. Methods This was a qualitative study carried out at a Midlands University in the United Kingdom. Eight group interviews were conducted with the sample (n = 40) consisting of 6 male and 15 female university staff (mean age = 40.5 ± 10.6 years) with different job roles (e.g., academic, administrative, cleaning and catering staff), and 12 male and 7 female students (mean age = 28.6 ± 4.7 years) at different stages of study (e.g., undergraduate, postgraduate, and international students). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and imported into NVivo12 software, responses were mapped using the TDF where theory-driven deductive content analysis was used for data analysis. Results Six prominent domains were identified from the group interviews as enablers and/or barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: Environmental context and resources; intentions; social influences; knowledge; beliefs about capabilities; and social/professional role and identity. The themes emerging from the group interviews fit into all 14 domains of the TDF; however, 71% of the themes fit into the six most prominent domains. Conclusions These findings suggest that several enablers and barriers influence university staff and students’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to engage in physical activity. This study, therefore, provides a theoretical foundation to inform the development of bespoke interventions to increase physical activity among inactive university staff and students.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15588-wUniversity settingCOM-B modelPredictorsContent analysisGroup interview |
| spellingShingle | Lawrence Bismarck Ndupu Vicki Staples Sigrid Lipka Mark Faghy Nawel Bessadet Chris Bussell Application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative study BMC Public Health University setting COM-B model Predictors Content analysis Group interview |
| title | Application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students a qualitative study |
| topic | University setting COM-B model Predictors Content analysis Group interview |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15588-w |
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