Community Partner Input: Improving Usability and Feasibility of a Community Physical Activity Intervention

Abstract

Purpose

Assess how modifications from community partners changed usability and feasibility (U/F) of a pilot physical activity (PA) intervention.

Design

Mixed-Methods.

Setting

Michigan communities that are under-resourced.

Subjects

Partners from 13 community-based organizations (n = 7 key informant interviews (KII); n = 12 organization survey responses).

Intervention

Rec‐Connect™: A Physical Activity Demonstration Playbook, a community-based PA intervention.

Measures

KIIs (2021) and surveys (2023) assessed what ways and/or to what extent modifications to the PA pilot (e.g., guidance, materials, curriculum, partnerships, PA-based policy, systems, and environmental changes (PSE)) improved implementation.

Analysis

Content analysis was applied to KII; descriptive statistics were generated from surveys.

Results

Three primary themes were derived from KIIs which explained how modifications improved U/F: (1) effective communication across and within socio-ecologic spheres transformed U/F and illuminated best practices, (2) explicit community engagement guidance made implementation more responsive to PA needs, and (3) stronger and increased collaborations reduced deterrents to PA. Survey results supported themes and explicated modification benefits, which increased communications with entities (44%), identification of community champions (35%), new partnerships (43%), and new PSE changes to address (43%).

Conclusion

Incorporating partner modifications improved intervention U/F, enhanced facilitation and engagement practices, and strengthened implementation with organizations and champions. Including partner input resulted in a more transformative PA intervention exemplified by increased partnerships and collaborations to address PSE changes.