A long-term physical activity programme: What keeps them coming?
Author: Michelle Leathart
Supervisors: Rita Robinson, Yvonne Thomas
Leathart, M. (2023). A long-term physical activity programme: What keeps them coming? (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Occupational Therapy). Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga, New Zealand. https://doi.org/10.34074/thes.6345
Abstract
The Big Fun Model is a combination of the occupational therapy theory of sensory integration and gymnastics. Big Fun NZ has had athletes attending for upwards of eight years. If a therapy model is used to assess the success of the Big Fun NZ programme it could be seen as a failure due to the length of time that people have been attending the programme. If however a sports model is applied then the Big Fun NZ programme would be thought of as a success due to its long term retention of participants.
Objectives: This research project aimed to answer the question 'What maintains/influences people's engagement in Big Fun NZ over an extended period of time and through different life stages?' This is to add to the small amount of literature regarding the factors that foster long-term involvement in physical activity programmes.
Method: This research project interviewed seven family groups, usually a dyad of an athlete and their parent/guardian, who have been attending sessions for between 8 and 14 years. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and then analysed using QUAGOL.
Results: From the analysis of the interviews consistency and routine were the two factors identified that maintained long-term involvement. With smashing parental assumptions, benefits of physical activity, and enjoyment being the three factors that worked to maintain involvement. The concept of integration versus segregation was also explored. With the participants in this research project preferring the exclusive environment that Big Fun NZ currently operates in.
Conclusion: The themes identified in this research project fit into the occupational therapy Do-Live-Well framework. This framework is aimed at improving people’s health and well-being by using a health promotion emphasis rather than an illness emphasis. As a primary and secondary prevention strategy the Big Fun Model falls under health promotion, this categorisation gives clarity and direction to the role of Big Fun New Zealand within the adaptive physical activity community.
Keywords
health promotion, long-term programme, Big Fun, sensory integration, sports, physical activity
Licence
A copy of the thesis is publicly available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International
