A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation
Abstract Background Active recreation contributes to child and adolescent physical activity, however, factors affecting uptake are poorly understood at the systems level. The aims of this study were: (1) to use systems analysis methods to understand youth active recreation in Victoria, Australia, (i...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-05-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01292-2 |
| _version_ | 1818210511622242304 |
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| author | Harriet Koorts Paul M. Salmon Christopher T. V. Swain Samuel Cassar David Strickland Jo Salmon |
| author_facet | Harriet Koorts Paul M. Salmon Christopher T. V. Swain Samuel Cassar David Strickland Jo Salmon |
| author_sort | Harriet Koorts |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Active recreation contributes to child and adolescent physical activity, however, factors affecting uptake are poorly understood at the systems level. The aims of this study were: (1) to use systems analysis methods to understand youth active recreation in Victoria, Australia, (ii) identify potential system leverage points to enhance active recreation, and (iii) explore stakeholder views of systems analysis methods for informing practice and policy decision-making. Methods Phase 1: Umbrella review of systematic reviews (2013–2018), synthesising evidence for correlates, determinants and intervention evidence for promoting active recreation. Phase 2: Development of three systems models (ActorMap and two ActivMaps), depicting active recreation actors/organisations, correlates, determinants and intervention evidence. Phase 3: Development of causal loop diagrams (CLDs) and identification of leverage points based on the Action Scales Model. Phase 4: Model feedback via stakeholder interviews (n = 23; 16 organisations). Results From the literature, 93 correlates and determinants, and 49 intervention strategies were associated with child and adolescent active recreation; the majority located at a social or individual level. Ten potential system leverage points were identified in the CLDs, which differed for pre-schoolers versus children and adolescents. Only time outdoors (an event leverage point) emerged for all age groups. Changes to the built and natural environment (i.e., land use planning, urban design) as a complete domain was a key structural leverage point for influencing active recreation in children and adolescents. Subject matter experts and stakeholder interviews identified 125 actors operating across seven hierarchical active recreation system levels in Victoria. Stakeholder interviews identified 12 areas for future consideration and recommendations for practice/policy influence. Conclusions Our findings underscore the need for dynamic models of system behaviour in active recreation, and to capture stakeholder influence as more than a transactional role in evidence generation and use. Effective responses to youth inactivity require a network of interventions that target specific leverage points across the system. Our models illustrate areas that may have the greatest system-level impact, such as changes to the built and natural environment, and they provide a tool for policy, appraisal, advocacy, and decision-making within and outside of government. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T05:17:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ee99419b33964a0b8f8a4761c5442db7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1479-5868 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T05:17:46Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| spelling | doaj.art-ee99419b33964a0b8f8a4761c5442db72022-12-22T00:36:44ZengBMCInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity1479-58682022-05-0119111910.1186/s12966-022-01292-2A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreationHarriet Koorts0Paul M. Salmon1Christopher T. V. Swain2Samuel Cassar3David Strickland4Jo Salmon5School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin UniversityCentre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems, University of the Sunshine CoastSchool of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin UniversitySchool of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin UniversitySport and Recreation Victoria, Department of Jobs Precincts and RegionsSchool of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin UniversityAbstract Background Active recreation contributes to child and adolescent physical activity, however, factors affecting uptake are poorly understood at the systems level. The aims of this study were: (1) to use systems analysis methods to understand youth active recreation in Victoria, Australia, (ii) identify potential system leverage points to enhance active recreation, and (iii) explore stakeholder views of systems analysis methods for informing practice and policy decision-making. Methods Phase 1: Umbrella review of systematic reviews (2013–2018), synthesising evidence for correlates, determinants and intervention evidence for promoting active recreation. Phase 2: Development of three systems models (ActorMap and two ActivMaps), depicting active recreation actors/organisations, correlates, determinants and intervention evidence. Phase 3: Development of causal loop diagrams (CLDs) and identification of leverage points based on the Action Scales Model. Phase 4: Model feedback via stakeholder interviews (n = 23; 16 organisations). Results From the literature, 93 correlates and determinants, and 49 intervention strategies were associated with child and adolescent active recreation; the majority located at a social or individual level. Ten potential system leverage points were identified in the CLDs, which differed for pre-schoolers versus children and adolescents. Only time outdoors (an event leverage point) emerged for all age groups. Changes to the built and natural environment (i.e., land use planning, urban design) as a complete domain was a key structural leverage point for influencing active recreation in children and adolescents. Subject matter experts and stakeholder interviews identified 125 actors operating across seven hierarchical active recreation system levels in Victoria. Stakeholder interviews identified 12 areas for future consideration and recommendations for practice/policy influence. Conclusions Our findings underscore the need for dynamic models of system behaviour in active recreation, and to capture stakeholder influence as more than a transactional role in evidence generation and use. Effective responses to youth inactivity require a network of interventions that target specific leverage points across the system. Our models illustrate areas that may have the greatest system-level impact, such as changes to the built and natural environment, and they provide a tool for policy, appraisal, advocacy, and decision-making within and outside of government.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01292-2Physical activityActive recreationHealth behaviourChildrenAdolescentsSystems approach |
| spellingShingle | Harriet Koorts Paul M. Salmon Christopher T. V. Swain Samuel Cassar David Strickland Jo Salmon A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Physical activity Active recreation Health behaviour Children Adolescents Systems approach |
| title | A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation |
| title_full | A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation |
| title_fullStr | A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation |
| title_full_unstemmed | A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation |
| title_short | A systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation |
| title_sort | systems thinking approach to understanding youth active recreation |
| topic | Physical activity Active recreation Health behaviour Children Adolescents Systems approach |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01292-2 |
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