Rec-Connect™: A Physical Activity Demonstration Playbook: Qualitative Insights on Multi-Level Behavior Change Impacts and Connections

PurposeDescribe perceived impact of a 6-week community-based physical activity (PA) intervention on adult participants' PA knowledge and behaviors.DesignQualitative Case Study.SettingUnder-resourced Michigan communities.ParticipantsAdults (n = 26) aged 18-85 years represented urban (n = 11), suburban (n = 7), and rural (n = 6) environments, and diverse identities by race (n = 3 did not respond) White (46%, n = 11), African American (38%, n = 9), American Indian/Native American (4%, n = 1) and by intellectual or developmental disability (n = 7).InterventionRec-Connect™: A Physical Activity Demonstration Playbook.MethodSemi-structured focus groups (n = 3, n = 26 participants). Surveys measured knowledge and behavioral outcomes.Data CollectionFocus groups were conducted in person (n = 2) or over telephone (n = 1). Surveys were disseminated pre-post completion of at least 6 lessons of the intervention series; pre-post participant surveys were matched with focus group participants (n = 12).AnalysisHybrid analysis was used to generate themes from transcripts. Descriptive statistics were summarized from surveys.ResultsAnalysts generated 3 primary themes which demonstrated Rec-Connect's impact on PA behavior changes: 1) leveraged connections promoted PA outside of class, 2) educators are key to attitudes on PA and time spent in PA, and 3) multi-level (ie, socio-emotional-physical) behavior change impacts were achieved.ConclusionThis community-based PA intervention had multi-level impacts on adult participants. The socio-emotional connections made during Rec-Connect between educators and peers positively influenced time in and attitudes towards PA.