Is walking netball an effective, acceptable and feasible method to increase physical activity and improve health in middle- to older age women?: A RE-AIM evaluation

Kinnafick, F. E.; Brinkley, A. J.; Bailey, S. J.; Adams, E. J.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is a modifiable risk factor for health and wellbeing, all-cause mortality and healthy aging. However, for middle- to older-age females less is known about the benefits of sports participation on these outcomes. Further, the acceptability and feasibility of setting-up, implementing and maintaining sports-based programmes for an aging population is an understudied area of inquiry. The current study used the RE-AIM framework to investigate a nationwide Walking Netball (WN) programme.

Methods: The evaluation used a mixed-methods approach incorporating a multiple-baseline study, quasi-experimental study, programme monitoring data and qualitative studies to evaluate the programme in the Women’s Institutes (WI) in England. Data were analysed using multilevel growth modelling, mixed-design ANOVAs, multilevel regression, t-testing, and thematic analysis. Data were triangulated to address each dimension of the RE-AIM framework.

Findings: The programme reached 1.4% (n = 3148) of the WI population across 82.0% of WI regions in England and
attracted inactive members at risk of ill-health. WN contributed to adaptations in physical function, mental health and wellbeing, social isolation, quality of life and increased physical activity. The adoption of the programme was successful with 87.7% WN groups’ maintaining participation beyond the 20-session initial delivery phase. Adoption was effective because of its set-up, peer-mentorship and long-term delivery; these factors likewise shaped implementation. Adapting and tailoring WN to the varying characteristics of participants within the WI and the facilities available, along with training delivery staff and providing resources are key programme components. The Walking Netball programme can be maintained through promotion within the local community, sustainable funding, inter-WI competitions, festivals and networks, multiple-hosts and continued host development.

Conclusions: WN was found to be an acceptable, feasible and effective intervention to increase physical activity and improve health in middle- to older- aged women. Future programmes may consider adapted styles of set-up and delivery. These include adapting to people, places and spaces through personalised support and providing a range of resources. Future designs may seek to understand how participation can contribute to healthy aging through longitudinal research beyond 12-months.

Citation

Kinnafick, F. E., Brinkley, A. J., Bailey, S. J., & Adams, E. J. (2021). Is walking netball an effective, acceptable and feasible method to increase physical activity and improve health in middle- to older age women?: A RE-AIM evaluation. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18, Article 136. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01204-w

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 24, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 19, 2021
• Publication Date: Oct 19, 2021
• Deposit Date: Dec 7, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 9, 2021
• Journal: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Electronic ISSN: 1479-5868
• Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Article Number: 136
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01204-w
• Keywords: Aging, exercise, intervention, longitudinal, physical activity, wellbeing
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6910117
• Publisher URL: https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-021-01204-w
• Additional Information: Received: 21 April 2021; Accepted: 24 September 2021; First Online: 19 October 2021; Ethical approval from the project was granted by Loughborough University’s Ethical Advisory Panel (Ref: R18-P044). The study conforms to, and was conducted in accordance with, the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants provided written informed consent.; : Individual data in the form of transcribed conversations, health data, demographic information and attendance records was collected from participants. In all cases, the collection of this data was completed with full written informed consent. The collection of this data conforms to regulations outlined by the Loughborough University’s Ethical Advisory Panel, GDPR and the Declaration of Helsinki.; : The authors declare that they have no competing interests. This activity was conducted under the auspices of the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) England. The NCSEM is a collaboration between universities, NHS trusts and sporting and public bodies. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NCSEM.