Using concept mapping in the development of the EU-PAD framework (EUropean-Physical Activity Determinants across the...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Gerontology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• A significant portion of European populations across all age groups exhibit insufficient physical activity (PA).
• Understanding the determinants of PA is vital for developing effective public health strategies and interventions.
• Promoting an active lifestyle throughout the life course is essential for improving overall health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a multi-disciplinary, Pan-European, and life-course perspective on key determinants of physical activity (PA) behaviors.
• To propose a framework for how these identified PA determinants may cluster.
• To identify factors with high impact and modifiability for PA promotion.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive list of 183 potential PA behavior-associated factors was compiled.
• Concept mapping software was utilized to synthesize European expert views on 106 identified factors across youth, adults, and older adults.
• Analysis focused on factor clustering, modifiability, population-level impact, and research priority across the life course.

Main Results:

• Six distinct clusters emerged, categorized into 'Person' (Intra-Personal Context and Wellbeing; Family and Social Economic Status) and 'Society' (Policy and Provision; Cultural Context and Media; Social Support and Modelling; Supportive Environment).
• The 'Person' theme encompassed 42% of factors, while 'Society' accounted for 58%.
• Twenty-five factors, primarily within 'Intra-Personal Context and Wellbeing', were identified as most impactful and modifiable for PA behaviors, with 16 prioritized for future research.

Conclusions:

• The developed framework offers a preliminary overview of factors influencing PA behavior across the life course relevant to the European context.
• These findings can serve as a basis for future Pan-European research on the interaction of PA determinants.
• The insights can guide policymakers in designing targeted interventions to enhance PA levels and improve public health in Europe.