Attendance patterns and factors affecting participation in organized walks: an investigation of Natural England's<i>Walking for Health</i>programme

Kokolakakis, Themis; Ramchandani, Girish; Coleman, Richard

doi:10.1080/16078055.2015.1034341

Cited by 3 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…For example, Walking for Health has approximately 70,000 participants across the UK [73], and 5045 adults were exposed to walking groups across the 14 identified intervention studies. When we examined reach across PROGRESS-Plus characteristics, however, walkers were predominantly women [37,45,46,50,53,56,59,75,76,78,82,89,90], white [43,46,75,76,89], socioeconomically advantaged [38,46,71,72,75,77] and mid-to-older aged [15,20,40,46,49,53,55,59,75,76,90]. Overall, our assessment corroborated previous findings [6,7,19,20], and contrasted with Ball et al's recent conclusions [5].…”

Section: Reachsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…For example, recent Walking for Health data indicated 70% female walkers [41], 15% higher than the general UK population [57]. Most men in this programme were already active before joining groups [59]. However, one study suggested men were more likely to participate as age increased [62].…”

Section: Gender or Sexmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Various analyses from Walking for Health indicated inequalities in participants' health and disability statuses. Approximately 12% reported disability, despite 35% of these walks promoting themselves towards those with disabilities [41,49,51,59], and 19% of working age and 45% of pension age adults in the UK having registered disabilities [16,68]. One study indicated their provision may be higher in areas of increased disability, but not significantly [51].…”

Section: Disabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The potential effect of walking groups on reducing physical activity inequalities was rarely evaluated despite the collection of demographic information. Only seven publications presented differential analyses, of which six reported differential outcomes between social groups, according to place of residence [72], occupation [77,81], gender or sex [42,59,81], education [77], social capital [33] and age [77]. Primarily, these differences related to opportunities to increase physical activity levels through engagement with programmes.…”

Section: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After a 24-week maintenance period, following an 8-week program, areas with a higher concentration of non-Latino Black residents and higher levels of poverty saw reduced participation [72]. Walking for Health evaluations indicated men were slightly more likely to adhere to walking than women (15% vs. 13% attending at least half of possible weeks over 18 months) [59], as well as being married accounting for 2.3% of variance in mental wellbeing outcomes among participants [33]. Secondary analysis of the Health Works Trial data found that being male was the strongest predictor of non-participation, although as a workplace scheme this finding may differ from leisure-based groups [81].…”

Section: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Inequities and inequalities in outdoor walking groups: a scoping review

2020

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Background: Outdoor walking groups are widely-used programmes aimed at improving physical activity and health outcomes. Despite being promoted as accessible and inclusive, emerging work highlights participation biases based on gender, age and socioeconomic status, for example. To explicate the impact of outdoor walking groups on physical activity inequities, we conducted a scoping review of published outdoor walking group literatures. Specifically, we critically examined: (a) equity integration strategies; (b) intervention reach; (c) effectiveness; and (d) potential social determinants of engagement relating to the World Health Organization's conceptual framework. Methods: Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review protocol was used to develop a comprehensive search strategy and identify relevant academic and grey literatures, which were screened using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were organised by Cochrane PROGRESS-Plus equity characteristics and a narrative summary was presented for each thematic area. Findings: Sixty-two publications were included. Key findings were: (a) some evidence of targeted intervention trials. Large-scale national programmes were tailored to regional activity and health needs, which may contribute toward addressing inequities. However, participant demographics seldom informed reported analyses; (b) participation was more likely among white, more socioeconomically advantaged, middle-to-older aged, female and able-bodied adults; (c) positive physical and psychological outcomes were unlikely to extend along social gradients; and (d) interventions primarily addressed intermediary determinants (e.g. psychosocial barriers; material resource). Social capital (e.g. friend-making) was identified as potentially important for addressing physical activity inequalities.

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Section: Reachsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Gender or Sexmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Disabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Inequities and inequalities in outdoor walking groups: a scoping review

2020

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“Magic Mirror on the Wall”: is Nordic walking or rambling better for your mental well-being?

Zurawik

Carson

Snape

2019

World Leisure Journal

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There is accumulating evidence that walking has health benefits. While millions of people in the United Kingdom have long benefitted from rambling, Nordic walking is a relative newcomer to the shores of Britain. Which of these forms of walking is better for your mental wellbeing? This study set out to compare both forms of walking and measured their effects on mental wellbeing using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), through an online survey. In addition both groups of walkers were asked about socio-environmental influences on their walking. Some 508 participants completed the online survey, which assessed socio-environmental factors on participation in both walking activities and mental well-being. This study showed both walking groups had higher mental well-being scores than the "normal population" for the WEMWBS. However, there were no significant differences in contribution to mental well-being between the two walking groups. Socio-environmental analysis revealed that in Nordic walking the role of the instructor was critical, whereas in rambling friends' support, weather conditions and the aesthetics of the environment were important factors for participation. This study diversified the concept of leisure walking by distinguishing between rambling and Nordic walking in terms of their differing contributions towards mental well-being.

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Health effects and cost-effectiveness of a multilevel physical activity intervention in low-income older adults; results from the PEP4PA cluster randomized controlled trial

Crist

Full

Linke

et al. 2022

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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Background Older adults are the least active population in the U.S. Low-income communities have fewer physical activity (PA) resources, contributing to less PA and increased chronic disease risk. This study assessed the effect of the multilevel, peer-led, Peer Empowerment Program 4 Physical Activity (PEP4PA) on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and health outcomes, over 2 years of follow up. Methods In a cluster-randomized controlled trial, 12 senior or community centers serving low-income older adults were assigned to a PA intervention (n = 6) or usual programming (n = 6) condition. PEP4PA included self-monitoring, health coaching, group walks, social support, and community advocacy to improve walking conditions. The primary outcome was daily minutes of MVPA (7-day accelerometer). Secondary outcomes included Perceived Quality of Life (PQoL), 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT), blood pressure (BP), and depressive symptoms at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Mixed effects regression models estimated the effects on outcomes between groups over time and included random effects for repeated measures and center clustering. Effect modification by sex and income status was assessed. We calculated the incremental cost per daily minute of MVPA gained in the intervention group relative to the control group to assess cost effectiveness. Results We enrolled 476 older adults (50 + years). Participants were on average 71 years old, 76% female, 60% low income, and 38% identified as racial or ethnic minorities. Compared to the control group, intervention participants sustained roughly a 10 min/day increase in MVPA from baseline at all time points and increased mean PQoL scores from unsatisfied at baseline to satisfied at 12, 18 and 24 months. Males and higher-income groups had greater improvements in MVPA. No significant effects were observed for 6-MWT or depressive symptoms, and BP results were mixed. The incremental cost per minute MVPA gained per person was $0.25, $0.09, $0.06, and $0.05 at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively. Conclusions PEP4PA achieved increases in MVPA and PQoL in low-income older adults, over 2 years of follow up. The peer-led, community-based intervention provides a sustainable and cost-effective model to improve health behaviors in underserved, aging populations. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02405325) March 20, 2015.

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Attendance patterns and factors affecting participation in organized walks: an investigation of Natural England'sWalking for Healthprogramme

Cited by 3 publications

References 20 publications

Inequities and inequalities in outdoor walking groups: a scoping review

Inequities and inequalities in outdoor walking groups: a scoping review

“Magic Mirror on the Wall”: is Nordic walking or rambling better for your mental well-being?

Health effects and cost-effectiveness of a multilevel physical activity intervention in low-income older adults; results from the PEP4PA cluster randomized controlled trial

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