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Feasibility of a school-based intervention to promote active school transportation – The school personnel's perspective
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Health, Education and Technology, Health, Medicine and Rehabilitation.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1970-0333
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Health, Education and Technology, Health, Medicine and Rehabilitation.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3145-7698
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Health, Education and Technology, Health, Medicine and Rehabilitation.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9376-6053
2024 (English)In: Journal of Transport & Health, ISSN 2214-1405, E-ISSN 2214-1413, Vol. 38, article id 101867Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background

There is a growing need to invest in interventions that promote physical activity, such as active school transportation. Ideally, these interventions should be school-based to reach as many children as possible. However, school personnel have a heavy workload, and interventions must be feasible and sustainable. This study aims to explore the feasibility of a school-based intervention from the school personnel's perspective and increase knowledge about what makes an intervention in a school context feasible.

Methods

A qualitative design was applied with individual interviews with 19 participants, including principals, teachers, project coordinators, one school nurse, and one operation manager. The data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis.

Results

The result were formulated into one main theme “Crossing the threshold – enter and you might feel at home” and three subthemes “Flexibility for integration in the school context”, “Sensing meaningfulness is essential for being worth the effort” and “A supportive design to enhance enthusiasm”. These themes indicate that schools have a heavy workload and that there is a threshold for schools to invest time and effort into health promoting intervention. Flexibility, meaningfulness, and support were thus crucial elements for making an intervention in the school context feasible.

Conclusion

The results of this study outline a promising strategy to meet the needs of school personnel and can serve as a valuable guide for further research concerning school-based interventions aiming to promote health.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2024. Vol. 38, article id 101867
Keywords [en]
Feasibility, Active school transportation, School-based intervention, School personnel
National Category
Nursing
Research subject
Physiotherapy
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-104975DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2024.101867ISI: 001262048600001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85196963832OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-104975DiVA, id: diva2:1849023
Funder
Vinnova, 2020–01867
Note

Validerad;2024;Nivå 2;2024-07-09 (joosat);

Full text: CC BY License;

This article has previously appeared as a manuscript in a thesis.

Available from: 2024-04-05 Created: 2024-04-05 Last updated: 2025-10-21Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. The road towards making the active choice the easy choice: Facilitating and feasibility aspects of children’s active transportation
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The road towards making the active choice the easy choice: Facilitating and feasibility aspects of children’s active transportation
2024 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Children’s health is a critical concern, and advocating for their well-being is essential for their future. To promote children’s health, it is suggested that they undertake an average of 60 minutes of daily physical activity. However, few children meet this recommendation. In efforts to increase children’s daily physical activity, they are recommended to use active transportation to different places such as walking or cycling to school, also known as active school transportation (AST). In accordance with this, the research in this thesis is expected to expand the existing knowledge about children’s active transportation. The overall aim of the thesis was to explore facilitating aspects of AST and how to make interventions feasible in a school context. The thesis is composed of four papers; the first is a scoping review, and papers II, III, and IV employ qualitative methodologies. Three papers included children as participants (I, II, IV), while two involved school personnel (III, IV). Data was collected from five separate databases (I), focus groups (IV), photovoice with group discussions (II), and individual interviews (III, IV). The data from the first paper was synthesized into a narrative format, while the analysis for the following papers was done using thematic analysis (II) and latent content analysis (III, IV). The findings indicated that psychosocial factors related to AST include confidence in ability, attitudes, social support, and social norms (I). Additionally, independence in active transportation is central, allowing children to engage more in play, spend time with peers, and connect with their community, thereby enhancing their confidence in their abilities (II). From a feasibility perspective, flexibility, meaningfulness, and support were identified as critical elements for the school personnel in executing the AST intervention (III). Finally, the intervention was attractive to children and school personnel for continued use, and interventions could benefit from engagement, togetherness, and gamification for motivation (IV). In conclusion, this thesis suggests that to make the active choice the easy choice, interventions could accommodate facilitating factors. Peer accompaniment, and the opportunity to engage in playful activities along their route, are particularly important for children using AST. Additionally, fostering independence in daily practices can enhance children’s personal development and confidence in their abilities, thereby acting as a facilitator for AST. Flexibility in the execution of the intervention and support including collaboration are key feasibility aspects that should be considered when designing a school-based intervention, particularly given their heavy workload. Understanding the motivations behind school personnels engagement and their acceptance of the interventions is also important. Visual results, enabled by progress tracking and gamification, were compelling motivators for teachers to participate in the intervention. Finally, to promote AST and foster children’s independence in such behaviour with school-based interventions, it should be made fun and playful for children, and easy for school personnel to incorporatein to the school context.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Luleå: Luleå University of Technology, 2024
Series
Doctoral thesis / Luleå University of Technology, ISSN 1402-1544
Keywords
Active school travel, feasibility, psychosocial factors, children, teachers, health promotion, physical activity
National Category
Physiotherapy
Research subject
Physiotherapy
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-104989 (URN)978-91-8048-521-0 (ISBN)978-91-8048-522-7 (ISBN)
Public defence
2024-10-15, E632, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, 09:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2024-04-05 Created: 2024-04-05 Last updated: 2025-10-21Bibliographically approved

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Savolainen, EvaLindqvist, Anna-KarinRutberg, Stina

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