Implementation characteristics that may promote sustainability of a rural physical activity initiative: examination of Play Streets through the lens of community implementers

Marilyn E Wende; M Renée Umstattd Meyer; Cynthia Perry; Tyler Prochnow; Christina N Bridges Hamilton; Christiaan G Abildso; Keshia M Pollack Porter

doi:10.1186/s43058-024-00571-2

Implementation characteristics that may promote sustainability of a rural physical activity initiative: examination of Play Streets through the lens of community implementers

Implement Sci Commun. 2024 May 2;5(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s43058-024-00571-2.

Authors

Marilyn E Wende¹, M Renée Umstattd Meyer², Cynthia Perry³, Tyler Prochnow⁴, Christina N Bridges Hamilton⁵, Christiaan G Abildso⁶, Keshia M Pollack Porter⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Education and Behavior, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. Marilyn.wende@ufl.edu.
² Department of Public Health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, USA. renee_umstattd@baylor.edu.
³ School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA.
⁴ Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
⁵ Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA.
⁶ Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA.
⁷ Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.

Abstract

Background: Play Streets, which are community-based environmental initiatives where public spaces/streets are temporarily closed to create safe, low-cost physical activity opportunities, have demonstrated feasibility and physical activity benefit in rural US areas. Yet, information is needed to identify implementation characteristics that may promote sustainability. This study examined rural Play Streets implementation characteristics that could impact sustainability from local partners' perspectives.

Methods: Sixteen Play Streets implementation team members in rural Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas, USA, participated in interviews. Semi-structured in-person individual and group interviews were conducted in the fall of 2018 (after Play Streets implementation in 2017 and 2018), recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using iterative, content analyses. Coding frameworks were based on the Public Health Program Capacity for Sustainability Framework, and emergent themes were also identified.

Results: Interviewees' perceived characteristics for facilitating Play Streets implementation aligned with the Public Health Program Capacity for Sustainability Framework: funding stability, political support, partnerships, organizational capacity, program adaption, and communication. Interviewees also noted the importance of cultural alignment/support and the reciprocal impact of community connectedness/engagement.

Conclusions: Future research should examine the reciprocal role of public health impacts, as both outcomes and factors which may influence sustainability.

Keywords: Active living; Community connectedness; Implementation; Physical activity; Program; Sustainability.

Grants and funding

81438042/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation