Move Together Buckinghamshire: protocol for a pragmatic mixed-methods evaluation of a community physical activity programme for older adults with long-term conditions

Abstract

Introduction: Physical inactivity is highly prevalent in older adults living in deprived communities, with many living with long-term health conditions. Community-based and tailored physical activity behaviour change programmes are needed to support increased physical activity in this population. This project aims to conduct a pragmatic pre-post mixed-methods evaluation of a community-based physical activity intervention (Move Together Buckinghamshire).

Methods and analysis: Move Together Buckinghamshire is a 3-year community-based physical activity programme for inactive adults aged over 50 years with at least one long-term health condition living in deprived areas of Buckinghamshire, England. Across the 12-week programme, users will receive: (i) one 45-minute in-person one-to-one consultation with a Physical Activity Referral Specialist (PARS), (ii) three check-in contacts with their allocated PARS taking place by email, phone or text and (iii) access to an online platform to identify and book physical activity opportunities in their local area. The programme’s recruitment target is 3000 service users over the 3-year programme. This pragmatic evaluation will assess the first 18 months of programme delivery using a mixed-methods design. A quantitative outcome evaluation will be conducted for secondary data routinely collected within the programme to assess the primary outcome of physical activity (using the single-item physical activity measure), and secondary outcomes of health-related quality of life, loneliness and confidence to engage in physical activity (assessed at baseline, during and at the end of the 12-week programme and at 6-month and 12-month follow-up). A qualitative process evaluation will use focus groups and interviews with service users and interviews with PARS staff delivering the programme and strategic decision-makers. An economic analysis will be undertaken to estimate the resources and costs required to design, set up and deliver the Move Together Buckinghamshire.

Ethics and dissemination: This study has been approved by the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Research Ethics Committee at Brunel University of London. Informed written consent will be obtained from all participants of the evaluation. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications, scientific conferences, reports, webinars and through local community outlets.

Registration details: This study has been preregistered on Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EV24C