Short Orals: Intervention development

Background: Cycling offers health and environmental benefits, yet levels are low in the UK, particularly among South Asian women who encounter disproportionate barriers to cycling. Effective cycling interventions for South Asian women are therefore essential, but are scarcely available and under-researched. Cycle Nation (CN) is a 9-week group-based intervention incorporating cycling skills, behaviour change techniques and bike loans. CN was originally developed as a workplace-based intervention, and was adapted for South Asian women over four workshops with the target population in Manchester, UK. Purpose: To pilot the CN intervention tailored for delivery to South Asian women in a community setting. Methods: Participants completed pre- and post-intervention self-report questionnaires including number of trips and minutes per week cycling, cycling confidence and motivation, self-esteem and vitality. Attendance and program completion were recorded, and interviews conducted with CN participants and facilitators, and representatives from the local council and British Cycling who were involved in implementation. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively; qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results: Nineteen women were recruited, and only two withdrew from the intervention. Participants reported a significant increase in cycling by 3.1(2.6 SD) rides and 89.3(64.3 SD) minutes per week, mainly accounted for by leisure cycling. CN enhanced cycling confidence, introjected and intrinsic motivation for cycling, and self-esteem. Group-based delivery was valued and helped participants to counter local socio-cultural norms against women cycling: “it’s been amazing in terms of inspiring women and getting women really interested in [cycling] within the community”. Conclusions: CN was successful in engaging South Asian women to increase cycling. It was highly acceptable to participants and promoted wider interest in cycling among local women. Practical implications: The CN intervention shows great potential to increase cycling in a hard-to-reach group (South Asian women). Future research should explore longer term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Funding: British Cycling/HSBC UK

Background: According to Self Determination Theory, there are six domains of motivation for physical activity (PA) that can be used to cluster people and, hence, study motivational profile changes over time (motivational trajectories). Purpose: Explore how the PA environment is associated with a positive motivational trajectory with particular focus on the restorative quality of the environment (as set out by Attention Restoration Theory). Methods: Data from 305 participants (165 females; M = 44.4 years [SD = 12.9) were collected at three time points (November, December 2022 and January 2023) via a survey link. Latent profile transition analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Three distinct profiles emerged: (1) Low in Motivation; (2) Self-Determined; and (3) High in Motivation. Overall 14.6% of the total sample transitioned between profiles at least once. For those that did transition, the most common movement (78.8% [out of 14.6%]) was from profile 1 to either profile 2 or 3 – favourable trajectories, because the latter profiles have beneficial motivational characteristics as well as higher PA and life satisfaction. These favourable trajectories are positively associated with the following environmental characteristics: being active with other people (r = .20, p < .001), as part of a team (r = .34, p < .001), with an instructor (r = .36, p < .001), and perceived restorativeness of the PA environment (r = .30, p < .001). Conclusions: Social support and the restorative nature of PA environments might help people transition to a positive motivational profile on a short-term basis. Implications: Settings that provide social support, such as community walks, sport clubs that offer team sports or trained coaches, and are considered restorative (having natural elements), should be promoted at all levels. Funding: European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 823815

Title: Construction and Evaluation of a Dance Therapy Device in Co-Facilitation Background: Guidelines for managing complex trauma all point towards the need to diversify approaches and involve the patient in a multidisciplinary care pathway. The multiplicity and complexity of care echo the experiences of patients, requiring an intersectional approach that combines body and mind. To diversify the range of care, it is relevant to offer multiple therapeutic approaches within care facilities, notably through workshops involving physical activities such as dance. Dance is a particularly promising therapeutic tool in the management of trauma in adults, notably because it addresses psychological, physiological, and physical symptoms simultaneously. Objective: To construct, validate, and develop the dance therapy protocol named RECREATION proposed by LOBA, in France, targeting women victims of violence including sexual violence and those with a migratory background. Methods: LOBA implements bi-monthly or weekly dance therapy workshops in the Île-de-France region, France. These are 2-hour workshops, alternating between discussion and dance sessions, co-facilitated by a psychologist and a dancer, aimed at improving participants’ physical condition, preventing chronic illnesses, and reconnecting them with their bodies. Results: Regular participants show improvements in mood, posture, language, and interpersonal connections. Ongoing research aims to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the impacts of the RECREATION workshops on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, stress, depression, and anxiety. Conclusions: Dance is a particularly suitable therapeutic tool in the management of trauma in women victims of violence, especially sexual violence, and those with a migratory background, when workshops are attended regularly and integrated into a multidisciplinary care pathway involving medical, social, and psychological aspects. Funding: This research is funded by the Regional Health Agency and the Fondation de France.

Background: Rural living adolescents show a steeper decline in physical activity (PA) than urban living adolescents. Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the ‘Up Your Game’ intervention on PA, mental health and social connectedness in school going adolescents. Methods: Two focus groups (n= 26) were conducted in Dalby, a regional town in Queensland, Australia. A pre-post pilot trial was conducted. Participants (n=23) were enrolled in the intervention group. The intervention occurred once a week for 1 hour (45min Volleyball or touch football and 15min of food and social engagement). The primary outcome was PA (measured by ActiGraph GT3X). Accelerometers were worn for 7 consecutive days. Secondary outcomes were body composition (BMI z-scores), cardiovascular fitness (20m multistage fitness test), mental health (Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale), and social connectedness (social connectedness scale). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 10 weeks. Feasibility outcomes included retention, compliance, adherence fidelity and satisfaction. Independent sample T-test and reliable change index were calculated. Results: Adolescents reported they preferred a sport-based intervention, linked to a community organisation, and delivered after school during the during the school term. Participants (16% female) were aged 13.4 (±1.5 years). There were no changes in PA post intervention. Mental health improvement was demonstrated in separation anxiety (mean=55.30 ± 11.0–53.56 ± 11.5, p=0.774), generalised anxiety (mean=47.13 ± 9.0–46.94 ± 11.5, p=0.286), and obsessive-compulsive tests (mean=49.22 ± 9.6–46.83 ± 10.2, p=0.681). Participants attended 90% of sessions with 78% retention. Participants reported enjoying the program and would attend again. Conclusions: The preliminary results demonstrate most rural living adolescents were already meeting PA guidelines. The trial appeared to be feasible and effective. Practical Implications: Sport based interventions show promising results to improve mental health in rural living adolescents. Funding: Funding support from Queensland Government ActiveKIT Round 2.

Background Vocational study programs suffer from high drop-out rates and the academic performance of this group is lower than general study program students. New knowledge about the connection between physical activity, cognition, and psychosocial school environment requires new approaches to learning. Integrating physical activity with curriculum, termed physically active learning (PAL), has shown promising results in elementary and lower secondary school but is little explored in upper secondary school settings. Purpose To explore students’ experiences with PAL in upper secondary school vocational study program. Method PAL was implemented in one pilot upper secondary school in Telemark, Norway, during the school years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. Data collection among the students consisted of questionnaires (spring 2021, fall 2021) two focus group interviews (spring 2022). Results PAL was most frequent in major subjects within the specific vocational program such as “communication” and “work practice”. The students asked for more use of PAL in general subjects such as Mathematics, English and Norwegian, but reported an experience of reluctance towards PAL among the teachers of these subjects. Students reported PAL to positively influence relations, learning environment, collaboration, and school-related well-being. They also addressed a wish for greater student involvement in the development of PAL, as they experienced current activities to be insufficiently adapted to their age group. Conclusion PAL is applicable in upper secondary school and should be taken into consideration especially when planning the more theoretical subjects. It is important to involve students in co-creation of PAL for this age group and these study programs. Practical Implications According to students, PAL should be applied to a greater extent in theoretical subjects. This requires policy change and commitment from local school leaders with special emphasis on structural changes and sufficient resources for competence development for the teachers involved. Funding Sparebankstiftelsen DNB

Background: Promoting (increasing and sustaining) young children’s physical activity levels presents a multifaceted challenge given the diverse array of influencing factors. This calls for a system-based participatory approach. This study aims to understand how such approach in the Child-COOP Denmark trial works, for whom and under which circumstances. Methods: First, a dynamic program theory based on ‘if-then statements’ was developed targeting the greatest uncertainties of how Child-COOP Denmark works among municipality facilitators and participants. Next, the following process data was collected before, during, and after the participatory workshops: 1) registers of participants and dropout, 2) observations of adaptations and follow-up meetings with municipality facilitators; and 3) exit surveys among participants after each workshop. Based on data from 1-3, interviews among municipality facilitators and selected participants were conducted in each intervention community after the workshops (n=15). Results and practical implications: We will present our ongoing and preliminary dynamic program theory showcasing how if-then-statements were derived to inform on-going adaptations to data collection during the implementation of Child-COOP Denmark. Preliminary mechanisms to be investigated include ownership among municipality facilitators, research-practice collaborations, policy involvement, and personal investments among participants to solve the problem. These findings provide timely insights into the feasibility and potential scalability of community-based interventions. Conclusion: As participatory system dynamics approaches are relatively new approaches in solving complex health challenges, it is important to develop and share the best methods to unfold what works, for whom and under which circumstances. Funding: This study received funding from Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Background: Community-based approaches (CBAs) to promote healthy weight development in children are proliferating in practice. Literature suggests that CBAs have the potential to initiate system-changing actions to ensure a healthier everyday life for children and adolescents and their long term weight development. However, little is known about how CBAs work for whom and under which circumstances. Purpose: To present and discuss the preliminary program theory based upon a systematic literature search and a realist methodology. Methods: First, an initial program theory (IPT) and middle-range theories to support them was developed based on meta-studies. These theories and the review questions, secondly guided systematic literature search. The search had +13.000 hits. After double screening of title and abstract approximately 500 text are ready for data extraction. Results: The data extraction will focus at context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs) to construct a full program theory for CBA to prevention of overweight in children and adolescents. We are in the process of screening full texts and expect that approximately 100 studies will be included in the realist review. We will present central CMOCs as a part of our preliminary program theory. The overall goal is to generate a common foundation of knowledge to inform the development of CBAs in the future. Funding: Novo Nordisk Foundation

Background. Effective sports and physical activity (SPA) innovations are currently developed at unprecedented rates. The uptake of these interventions by practice however, remains a hurdle in realising impact. One strategy to support implementation is improving implementation capacity through communities of practice. This presentation discusses the formation and implementation of the Dutch Sport and Exercise Implementation Network (SPIN). Program Delivery. The network was designed to: (1) educate, (2) connect, and (3) disseminate knowledge gained in implementation science. At the start in 2021, the network consisted of 16 researchers with a background in SPA. Through topical meetings, participants gianed in-depth knowledge by experts. Various networking and intervission sessions were held to facilitate peer-learning. Participants worked on an implementation case study to apply the knowledge. Evaluation. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we analysed relevant documents, two rounds of semi-structured interviews with the network participants, and observations of network meetings. The network and activities were valued by the participants and provided tools and knowledge to overcome implementation barriers. Yet, not all implementations were successful. The evaluation revealed four themes with a decisive influence in the cases: (1) implementation ownership, (2) expertise and skills, (3) characteristics of the intervention, and (4) the organisational context. Conclusions. The network strategy was successful in improving implementation capacity. Succes of implementation (likely) depends on the knowledge, expertise, and skills of involved implementers. Various factors should and can be tackled of which ownership is of great importance. To support implementers, communities of practice can facilitate knowledge and skill acquisition. Practical implications. We reflect on designing, implementing, and sustaining a network of implementers in SPA. Dispite heterogenetity in interventions and settings, underlying implementation processes were similar. The lessons learned from this network can help researchers and policy makers in supporting implementation projects using a community of practice approach.