A qualitative exploration of the implementation of a participation-focused physical activity intervention according...

Participation-focused physical activity (PA) interventions are increasing in rehabilitation but can be difficult to replicate if the components of what is delivered and what is received are not clearly described. This study evaluated the implementation of a participation-focused PA intervention by mapping programme content and participant experiences to the theoretical framework: Family of Participation Related Constructs (fPRC).

A descriptive process evaluation, embedded in a single-case experimental design study, explored the extent to which the intervention ('Run Club') achieved the goal of being participation-focused, by exploring what was designed, delivered and received through each intervention phase: before, after, and 9-months following a twice weekly 12-week intervention. The programme was designed to provide both participation and activity-level intervention elements. The programme elements and experiences of participating adolescents with cerebral palsy and their parents were mapped to the fPRC constructs and transactional elements.

Eight adolescents and 12 parents participated. Mapping of the 'intervention delivered' indicated that the 24 1-hour sessions of expert coaching in community settings, with family support, and promotion of attendance and involvement at all study phases were designed and delivered as intended. Experiences of 'programme received' were mapped across all fPRC constructs and transactions, providing examples of the transactional influences among the person-level constructs (activity competence, sense of self, preferences), the environment and the individuals' attendance and involvement, in the programme and beyond.

The findings demonstrated how a participation-focused intervention approach can be designed and evaluated using the fPRC.