Co-Designing Physical Activity Programmes: A Participatory Research Study With Culturally Diverse Women and Local...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Health Interventions
• Health Equity

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) is crucial for health, yet participation is low among women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds due to multi-level barriers.
• Co-design is recognized for developing culturally relevant interventions, but its use in local government PA programs is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how co-design can be operationalized within local government to plan and deliver PA opportunities for CALD women.
• To explore short-term outcomes of co-designed PA interventions.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method participatory design guided by the socioecological model (SEM) across four phases: planning, co-creation, implementation, and evaluation.
• Data collection included co-design workshops (n=76), pre/post surveys (n=42/21), staff focus groups, and interviews (n=3).
• Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests; qualitative data underwent thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Co-design facilitated culturally relevant programs (group exercise, sports, water safety) with features like childcare and social connection opportunities.
• Quantitative analysis showed modest increases in PA (+34 min/week) and improved physical health (p=0.02).
• Qualitative findings revealed enhanced social connections, a sense of empowerment, and the importance of iterative program adaptation.

Conclusions:

• Integrating SEM and co-design provides a framework to address barriers and support inclusive PA programs in local government.
• This approach strengthens community capacity and health equity, offering actionable evidence for scalable, inclusive initiatives for CALD women.