Understanding how intermediaries connect adults to community-based physical activity: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Promotion
• Community Health Services

Background:

• Intermediaries connect individuals to community-based services, including physical activity programs.
• Their specific processes for promoting physical activity participation remain unclear.
• Understanding these processes is crucial for optimizing their role in public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the processes, practices, and procedures of Irish intermediaries in connecting people to community-based physical activity.
• To identify facilitators and barriers in intermediary-led physical activity promotion.
• To inform future research on intermediary effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• Semi-structured interviews with 27 intermediaries across Health Promotion and Improvement (HPO), Local Sports Partnerships (LSO), and Social Prescribing (SP) sectors.
• Qualitative content analysis to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Intermediaries received diverse referrals but few specifically for physical activity.
• A person-centred approach was common, addressing barriers to activity.
• Only LSO and SP actively facilitated physical activity connections; HPO focused on smoking cessation.
• Support levels and follow-up varied, with SP offering more intensive support.
• Local knowledge and networks were vital for connecting individuals to activities.

Conclusions:

• Intermediaries, particularly LSO and SP, are potentially under-utilized resources for promoting physical activity.
• Understanding their connection processes can improve future interventions and referral pathways.
• Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of intermediaries in increasing physical activity levels.