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The Implementation and Refinement of a National Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport

Melitta McNarry Orcid Logo, Amie Richards Orcid Logo, Kelly Mackintosh Orcid Logo, Catherine Sharp Orcid Logo, James Shelley, Rachel Knight Orcid Logo

BMC Public Health

Swansea University Authors: Melitta McNarry Orcid Logo, Amie Richards Orcid Logo, Kelly Mackintosh Orcid Logo

  • Accepted Manuscript under embargo until: 12th April 2026

Abstract

Background: Recognition of the importance and value of collaboration and involving stakeholders throughout the research process has given rise to the establishment of the Welsh Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS). Globally, formal collaborations between researchers and stakeho...

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Published in: BMC Public Health
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71362
first_indexed 2026-02-02T12:17:56Z
last_indexed 2026-03-13T05:24:45Z
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Globally, formal collaborations between researchers and stakeholders to complete research projects, remains insufficient. Therefore, the primary aim of WIPAHS is to engage in long-term, forward-thinking collaborations that address practice-informed research questions, to disseminate findings widely, and translate them into practice and policy. This study explored the implementation and subsequent refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health, and sport. Methods: Through a qualitative exploratory design, thirteen, individual, semi-structured, online interviews were conducted with academic members of the WIPAHS Research Steering Group. The data were thematically analysed by the research team to identify themes and subsequently used to formulate a set of Principles of Working. Results: Fifteen sub-themes were generated which led to eight Principles of Working emphasising national unity and the commitment to working collaboratively across all of Wales, UK, for the benefit of Wales. The role of collaboration in amplifying real-world impact was particularly highlighted; collaborative efforts between academics and stakeholders, underpinned by a clear structure and equal opportunities, were believed to facilitate a reduction in research duplication and optimal efficiency. Conclusion: Formalising the developmental process and the resulting Principles of Working provides a replicable blueprint for other academics to consider creating similar national institutes. This approach enables co-ordinated, systems-wide efforts to promote and advance health-enhancing physical activity and sport, offering a model for others seeking a comprehensive approach to achieve these goals.</abstract><type>Journal Article</type><journal>BMC Public Health</journal><volume/><journalNumber/><paginationStart/><paginationEnd/><publisher/><placeOfPublication/><isbnPrint/><isbnElectronic/><issnPrint/><issnElectronic/><keywords/><publishedDay>0</publishedDay><publishedMonth>0</publishedMonth><publishedYear>0</publishedYear><publishedDate>0001-01-01</publishedDate><doi/><url/><notes/><college>COLLEGE NANME</college><department>Engineering and Applied Sciences School</department><CollegeCode>COLLEGE CODE</CollegeCode><DepartmentCode>EAAS</DepartmentCode><institution>Swansea University</institution><apcterm>External research funder(s) paid the OA fee (includes OA grants disbursed by the Library)</apcterm><funders>Sport Wales WHO</funders><projectreference/><lastEdited>2026-03-12T12:09:13.4811019</lastEdited><Created>2026-02-02T12:08:25.9369424</Created><path><level id="1">Faculty of Science and Engineering</level><level id="2">School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences</level></path><authors><author><firstname>Melitta</firstname><surname>McNarry</surname><orcid>0000-0003-0813-7477</orcid><order>1</order></author><author><firstname>Amie</firstname><surname>Richards</surname><orcid>0000-0003-1634-656X</orcid><order>2</order></author><author><firstname>Kelly</firstname><surname>Mackintosh</surname><orcid>0000-0003-0355-6357</orcid><order>3</order></author><author><firstname>Catherine</firstname><surname>Sharp</surname><orcid>0000-0002-7311-3933</orcid><order>4</order></author><author><firstname>James</firstname><surname>Shelley</surname><order>5</order></author><author><firstname>Rachel</firstname><surname>Knight</surname><orcid>0000-0002-9181-2615</orcid><order>6</order></author></authors><documents><document><filename>Under embargo</filename><originalFilename>Under embargo</originalFilename><uploaded>2026-03-12T12:03:24.5449409</uploaded><type>Output</type><contentLength>342472</contentLength><contentType>application/pdf</contentType><version>Accepted Manuscript</version><cronfaStatus>true</cronfaStatus><embargoDate>2026-04-12T00:00:00.0000000</embargoDate><documentNotes>Author accepted manuscript document released under the terms of a Creative Commons CC-BY licence using the Swansea University Research Publications Policy (rights retention).</documentNotes><copyrightCorrect>true</copyrightCorrect><language>eng</language><licence>https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en</licence></document></documents><OutputDurs/></rfc1807>
spelling 2026-03-12T12:09:13.4811019 v2 71362 2026-02-02 The Implementation and Refinement of a National Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport 062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398 0000-0003-0813-7477 Melitta McNarry Melitta McNarry true false 3ef2b4a7a697e3d98ad63e842e9c45cb 0000-0003-1634-656X Amie Richards Amie Richards true false bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214 0000-0003-0355-6357 Kelly Mackintosh Kelly Mackintosh true false 2026-02-02 EAAS Background: Recognition of the importance and value of collaboration and involving stakeholders throughout the research process has given rise to the establishment of the Welsh Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS). Globally, formal collaborations between researchers and stakeholders to complete research projects, remains insufficient. Therefore, the primary aim of WIPAHS is to engage in long-term, forward-thinking collaborations that address practice-informed research questions, to disseminate findings widely, and translate them into practice and policy. This study explored the implementation and subsequent refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health, and sport. Methods: Through a qualitative exploratory design, thirteen, individual, semi-structured, online interviews were conducted with academic members of the WIPAHS Research Steering Group. The data were thematically analysed by the research team to identify themes and subsequently used to formulate a set of Principles of Working. Results: Fifteen sub-themes were generated which led to eight Principles of Working emphasising national unity and the commitment to working collaboratively across all of Wales, UK, for the benefit of Wales. The role of collaboration in amplifying real-world impact was particularly highlighted; collaborative efforts between academics and stakeholders, underpinned by a clear structure and equal opportunities, were believed to facilitate a reduction in research duplication and optimal efficiency. Conclusion: Formalising the developmental process and the resulting Principles of Working provides a replicable blueprint for other academics to consider creating similar national institutes. This approach enables co-ordinated, systems-wide efforts to promote and advance health-enhancing physical activity and sport, offering a model for others seeking a comprehensive approach to achieve these goals. Journal Article BMC Public Health 0 0 0 0001-01-01 COLLEGE NANME Engineering and Applied Sciences School COLLEGE CODE EAAS Swansea University External research funder(s) paid the OA fee (includes OA grants disbursed by the Library) Sport Wales WHO 2026-03-12T12:09:13.4811019 2026-02-02T12:08:25.9369424 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences Melitta McNarry 0000-0003-0813-7477 1 Amie Richards 0000-0003-1634-656X 2 Kelly Mackintosh 0000-0003-0355-6357 3 Catherine Sharp 0000-0002-7311-3933 4 James Shelley 5 Rachel Knight 0000-0002-9181-2615 6 Under embargo Under embargo 2026-03-12T12:03:24.5449409 Output 342472 application/pdf Accepted Manuscript true 2026-04-12T00:00:00.0000000 Author accepted manuscript document released under the terms of a Creative Commons CC-BY licence using the Swansea University Research Publications Policy (rights retention). true eng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
title The Implementation and Refinement of a National Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport
spellingShingle The Implementation and Refinement of a National Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport
Melitta McNarry
Amie Richards
Kelly Mackintosh
title_short The Implementation and Refinement of a National Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport
title_full The Implementation and Refinement of a National Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport
title_fullStr The Implementation and Refinement of a National Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport
title_full_unstemmed The Implementation and Refinement of a National Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport
title_sort The Implementation and Refinement of a National Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport
author_id_str_mv 062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398
3ef2b4a7a697e3d98ad63e842e9c45cb
bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214
author_id_fullname_str_mv 062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398_***_Melitta McNarry
3ef2b4a7a697e3d98ad63e842e9c45cb_***_Amie Richards
bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214_***_Kelly Mackintosh
author Melitta McNarry
Amie Richards
Kelly Mackintosh
author2 Melitta McNarry
Amie Richards
Kelly Mackintosh
Catherine Sharp
James Shelley
Rachel Knight
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institution Swansea University
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
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hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences
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description Background: Recognition of the importance and value of collaboration and involving stakeholders throughout the research process has given rise to the establishment of the Welsh Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS). Globally, formal collaborations between researchers and stakeholders to complete research projects, remains insufficient. Therefore, the primary aim of WIPAHS is to engage in long-term, forward-thinking collaborations that address practice-informed research questions, to disseminate findings widely, and translate them into practice and policy. This study explored the implementation and subsequent refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health, and sport. Methods: Through a qualitative exploratory design, thirteen, individual, semi-structured, online interviews were conducted with academic members of the WIPAHS Research Steering Group. The data were thematically analysed by the research team to identify themes and subsequently used to formulate a set of Principles of Working. Results: Fifteen sub-themes were generated which led to eight Principles of Working emphasising national unity and the commitment to working collaboratively across all of Wales, UK, for the benefit of Wales. The role of collaboration in amplifying real-world impact was particularly highlighted; collaborative efforts between academics and stakeholders, underpinned by a clear structure and equal opportunities, were believed to facilitate a reduction in research duplication and optimal efficiency. Conclusion: Formalising the developmental process and the resulting Principles of Working provides a replicable blueprint for other academics to consider creating similar national institutes. This approach enables co-ordinated, systems-wide efforts to promote and advance health-enhancing physical activity and sport, offering a model for others seeking a comprehensive approach to achieve these goals.
published_date 0001-01-01T05:33:50Z
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