Conference Agenda

Background: Higher education institutions (HEIs) are ideal settings for promoting physical activity (PA), yet implementation of effective programmes remains challenging. Using a three-study interlinked approach, this work aimed to develop innovative context-sensitive, practice-oriented resources to support implementation.

Methods: Initially, a qualitative study utilising the UK Medical Research Council (UK-MRC) Framework for complex interventions the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) explored the experiences of Health-Promoting University (HPU) stakeholders in delivering PA programmes in UK and Indonesia (n=34; service providers, service coordinators, policy makers, funders, and academics). Next, a comprehensive scoping review encompassing 74 reviews identified and mapped the determinants of PA programme implementation within HEIs, employing the CFIR and the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) frameworks. Finally, following Leask’s Framework, co-design workshops with stakeholders (n=10; policymakers, service coordinators, and academics) led to the development of a practical toolkit.

Results: Qualitative data from stakeholders generated 12 context-specific themes related to barriers to implementation of PA programmes including difficulties in locating relevant evidence and a lack of practical resources. Through evidence mapping, the review identified 13 context and implementation processes that may influence programme outcomes. Together, this formative work produced a determinant framework, which was then developed during the co-design study to create a theory and evidence-informed practical toolkit (ACTION toolkit) and accompanying resources.

Conclusions: Together, these studies offer a theory-informed, context-sensitive, and co-designed resource to support the implementation of PA promotion in higher education settings. Future work is required to enhance the toolkit’s generalisability through broader international collaboration.