A Qualitative Examination of the Physical Activity Needs of People with Severe Mental Illness.

It is recognised that physical activity has a positive impact on quality of life, social well-being and overall health of people with severe mental illness. However, there is a lack of theory informed programmes that support people with mental illness to adopt regular physical activity behaviour. The aim of this case study was to identify determinants of long-term physical activity among people with severe mental illness that may then inform the development of more suitable physical activity programmes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 people (13 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 36.7 [standard deviation (SD)=11.8] who had a diagnosed mental illness and were attending a physical activity programme run by a mental health non-governmental organisation. Interview data was analysed using the documentary method to emphasise the perspective of people with severe mental illness. Three participation types were generated in the context of individuals' physical activity orientation and social background-first 'rehabilitative orientated' (physical activity as a supportive measure to re-enter the labour market and develop a daily routine); second 'social-orientated' (social well-being within the group as the primary motive); finally, 'trust-orientated' (a sense of trust that encourages participation). Based on these type-specific categories, it is suggested that different settings (mental health care centres and sport clubs) might be needed to attract and maintain the physical activity engagement of people with severe mental illness. In the context of sport clubs, it is recommended that coaches undergo training in mental health literacy.

Short-and Long-Term Effectiveness of a Physical Activity Intervention with Coordinated Action between the Health Care Sector and Local Sports Clubs. A Pragmatic Trial in Austrian Adults.

(1) Background: Collaboration between the health care sector and the sports sector to increase physical activity (PA) behaviour among inactive adults is still rare. The objective of the study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effectiveness of a mixed PA intervention on the PA behaviour in an adult population. (2) Methods: In a quasi-experimental study with two follow-up measurements (four and 12 months), adults were contacted by post before their stay in a health resort. During the health resort stay, the intervention group (IG) received PA counselling and a coupon for 12 standardised free-of-charge sessions in a sports club. The participants in the comparator group (CG) received PA counselling and written material. PA was measured with an accelerometer (GENEActive). Linear mixed-effects models were applied to examine the change in PA behaviour, both within and between groups in moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA over time. (3) Results: We obtained at least one follow-up measurement from 217 participants (IG = 167, CG = 50), who were 50% female, with an average age of 53 (±6) years. PA significantly increased from the baseline to the four-month measurement by 58 min./wk (95% CI 36, 80) and to the 12-month measurement by 24 min./wk (95% CI 2, 46) within the IG. No change in PA occurred in the CG. We also found a short-term between-group (IG vs. CG) difference in change over time, but not a long-term difference. (4) Conclusions: The study confirms that a collaboration between the health care sector and local sports clubs is a feasible method of recruiting people into a standardised PA programme and to increase their PA over the long term.

How Does Counselling in a Stationary Health Care Setting Affect the Attendance in a Standardised Sports Club Programme? Process Evaluation of a Quasi-Experimental Study.

Actions in partnership across sectors is one principle for the promotion of health behaviours. The objective of this study was to describe the participation in a sports club-based exercise programme-named JACKPOT-following an intervention in a health care setting. Focus was given to the recruitment into JACKPOT, the attendance level, and whether the different programme elements were implemented as intented. The practicability of the project was also retrospectively rated. Participants were 238 inactive people (50% women) between 30 and 65 years of age who attended a health resort. Of these, 77% were assigned to the intervention group (IG). The recruitment into the 12 JACKPOT sessions and the attendance levels were recorded via attendance lists. The implementation of the intervention standards was assessed with structured interviews and participatory observation. The Pragmatic Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS)-2 tool served to rate the practicability of the project. Almost 50% of the IG subjects attended JACKPOT sessions at least once and 54% of the attenders visited ≥75% of the 12 sessions. Some of the programme elements were not delivered fully. The process evaluation results showed that the project worked in a real-world setting, and also uncovered potential reasons such as incomplete information delivery for the moderate recruitment and attendance level.