Step Up to Your Health 2.0: A Qualitative Evaluation of a Behavioural Change-Based Walking Programme Co-Designed with a Senior-Citizen Group

Abstract Background People worldwide recognize the value of physical activity for health and are taking a more active role in promoting their own wellbeing. This study explores community-dwelling older people’s qualitative evaluation of a community-based behavioural change-based walking programme, titled ‘Step Up to Your Health’. Methods This programme has been co-designed and co-produced between a seniors’ organisation and university partners, and this article evaluates a re-designed version of it. The programme, based on behavioural change techniques chosen by the group, incorporates the use of activity trackers, a co-designed workbook, and a weekly walking group. In the present study, 11 participants participated in semi-structured interviews on their experience. Results Three themes were generated through reflexive thematic analysis: ‘Physical activity promotion integrated into the community’, ‘A flexible and inclusive programme’ and ‘Psychological factors in keeping active’. Our findings suggest that programmes that are inclusive and flexible, integrated in the community, and provide opportunities for social engagement can facilitate multidimensional health and wellbeing benefits to older adults. Conclusion This study presents an example of co-design and co-delivery of a walking programme with community-dwelling older adults. The discussion offers a comparative analysis with a previous iteration of the programme, alongside actionable applications of our findings, in order to inform more sustainable, effective and inclusive community-based physical activity interventions.