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Journal article

Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Clinical Paediatric Populations in South Wales

Joanne Hudson, Amie Richards Orcid Logo, Kelly Mackintosh Orcid Logo, Melitta McNarry Orcid Logo, Rachel Knight Orcid Logo, Sarah Denford

Healthcare, Volume: 14, Issue: 12, Start page: 1801

Swansea University Authors: Joanne Hudson, Kelly Mackintosh Orcid Logo, Melitta McNarry Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121801

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Physical inactivity is a significant public health challenge among children and young people (CYP), particularly within clinical populations. Whilst healthcare professionals (HCPs) are uniquely positioned to implement behaviour change strategies, there is little evidence of im...

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Published in: Healthcare
Published: Basel, Switzerland MDPI 2026
Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/14/12/1801
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa72151
first_indexed 2026-06-24T06:55:33Z
last_indexed 2026-06-24T06:55:33Z
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Whilst healthcare professionals (HCPs) are uniquely positioned to implement behaviour change strategies, there is little evidence of implementation in practice. This study examined the practices of, as well as barriers and facilitators experienced by, HCPs in South Wales, United Kingdom (UK), when promoting physical activity (PA) and reducing sedentary behaviour (SED) in clinical paediatric populations, together with their perceptions and proficiencies in delivering this support. Methods: A 32-item questionnaire was completed by 41 HCPs, recruited through professional and clinical networks to generate an opportunistic sample from physiotherapists (n = 22), doctors (n = 7), occupational therapists (n = 4), therapy technical instructors (n = 2), and others (n = 1 each). Quantitative responses were analysed using descriptive statistics; free-text responses underwent qualitative content analysis. Results: The findings revealed that 95% of HCPs discussed PA at some or all appointments, with similar figures reported for SED (90%) and exercise (88%). However, only 63% of participants felt PA was adequately addressed within their services. Barriers included time constraints, resource limitations, and knowledge gaps. Key facilitators included training, toolkit availability, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for system-level changes to enable HCPs to deliver consistent, effective messaging that promotes PA and reduces SED, ultimately improving health outcomes for CYP receiving clinical input. Facilitating this approach requires embedding PA promotion into HCP training, expanding referral pathways to CYP, and strengthening multidisciplinary working.</abstract><type>Journal Article</type><journal>Healthcare</journal><volume>14</volume><journalNumber>12</journalNumber><paginationStart>1801</paginationStart><paginationEnd/><publisher>MDPI</publisher><placeOfPublication>Basel, Switzerland</placeOfPublication><isbnPrint/><isbnElectronic/><issnPrint/><issnElectronic/><keywords>health promotion; behaviour change; lifestyle interventions; child health</keywords><publishedDay>24</publishedDay><publishedMonth>6</publishedMonth><publishedYear>2026</publishedYear><publishedDate>2026-06-24</publishedDate><doi>https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121801</doi><url>https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/14/12/1801</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>Not Required</apcterm><funders>Fee waived</funders><projectreference/><lastEdited>2026-06-24T07:55:31.2229381</lastEdited><Created>2026-06-24T07:44:49.1397175</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>Joanne</firstname><surname>Hudson</surname><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>Melitta</firstname><surname>McNarry</surname><orcid>0000-0003-0813-7477</orcid><order>4</order></author><author><firstname>Rachel</firstname><surname>Knight</surname><orcid>0000-0002-9181-2615</orcid><order>5</order></author><author><firstname>Sarah</firstname><surname>Denford</surname><order>6</order></author></authors><documents/><OutputDurs/></rfc1807>
spelling v2 72151 2026-06-24 Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Clinical Paediatric Populations in South Wales 304341cf2cd1bdb99d7d6ccf0f030d99 Joanne Hudson Joanne Hudson true false bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214 0000-0003-0355-6357 Kelly Mackintosh Kelly Mackintosh true false 062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398 0000-0003-0813-7477 Melitta McNarry Melitta McNarry true false 2026-06-24 EAAS Background/Objectives: Physical inactivity is a significant public health challenge among children and young people (CYP), particularly within clinical populations. Whilst healthcare professionals (HCPs) are uniquely positioned to implement behaviour change strategies, there is little evidence of implementation in practice. This study examined the practices of, as well as barriers and facilitators experienced by, HCPs in South Wales, United Kingdom (UK), when promoting physical activity (PA) and reducing sedentary behaviour (SED) in clinical paediatric populations, together with their perceptions and proficiencies in delivering this support. Methods: A 32-item questionnaire was completed by 41 HCPs, recruited through professional and clinical networks to generate an opportunistic sample from physiotherapists (n = 22), doctors (n = 7), occupational therapists (n = 4), therapy technical instructors (n = 2), and others (n = 1 each). Quantitative responses were analysed using descriptive statistics; free-text responses underwent qualitative content analysis. Results: The findings revealed that 95% of HCPs discussed PA at some or all appointments, with similar figures reported for SED (90%) and exercise (88%). However, only 63% of participants felt PA was adequately addressed within their services. Barriers included time constraints, resource limitations, and knowledge gaps. Key facilitators included training, toolkit availability, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for system-level changes to enable HCPs to deliver consistent, effective messaging that promotes PA and reduces SED, ultimately improving health outcomes for CYP receiving clinical input. Facilitating this approach requires embedding PA promotion into HCP training, expanding referral pathways to CYP, and strengthening multidisciplinary working. Journal Article Healthcare 14 12 1801 MDPI Basel, Switzerland health promotion; behaviour change; lifestyle interventions; child health 24 6 2026 2026-06-24 https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121801 https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/14/12/1801 COLLEGE NANME Engineering and Applied Sciences School COLLEGE CODE EAAS Swansea University Not Required Fee waived 2026-06-24T07:55:31.2229381 2026-06-24T07:44:49.1397175 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences Joanne Hudson 1 Amie Richards 0000-0003-1634-656X 2 Kelly Mackintosh 0000-0003-0355-6357 3 Melitta McNarry 0000-0003-0813-7477 4 Rachel Knight 0000-0002-9181-2615 5 Sarah Denford 6
title Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Clinical Paediatric Populations in South Wales
spellingShingle Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Clinical Paediatric Populations in South Wales
Joanne Hudson
Kelly Mackintosh
Melitta McNarry
title_short Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Clinical Paediatric Populations in South Wales
title_full Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Clinical Paediatric Populations in South Wales
title_fullStr Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Clinical Paediatric Populations in South Wales
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Clinical Paediatric Populations in South Wales
title_sort Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Clinical Paediatric Populations in South Wales
author_id_str_mv 304341cf2cd1bdb99d7d6ccf0f030d99
bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214
062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398
author_id_fullname_str_mv 304341cf2cd1bdb99d7d6ccf0f030d99_***_Joanne Hudson
bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214_***_Kelly Mackintosh
062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398_***_Melitta McNarry
author Joanne Hudson
Kelly Mackintosh
Melitta McNarry
author2 Joanne Hudson
Amie Richards
Kelly Mackintosh
Melitta McNarry
Rachel Knight
Sarah Denford
format Journal article
container_title Healthcare
container_volume 14
container_issue 12
container_start_page 1801
publishDate 2026
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121801
publisher MDPI
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
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
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/14/12/1801
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active_str 0
description Background/Objectives: Physical inactivity is a significant public health challenge among children and young people (CYP), particularly within clinical populations. Whilst healthcare professionals (HCPs) are uniquely positioned to implement behaviour change strategies, there is little evidence of implementation in practice. This study examined the practices of, as well as barriers and facilitators experienced by, HCPs in South Wales, United Kingdom (UK), when promoting physical activity (PA) and reducing sedentary behaviour (SED) in clinical paediatric populations, together with their perceptions and proficiencies in delivering this support. Methods: A 32-item questionnaire was completed by 41 HCPs, recruited through professional and clinical networks to generate an opportunistic sample from physiotherapists (n = 22), doctors (n = 7), occupational therapists (n = 4), therapy technical instructors (n = 2), and others (n = 1 each). Quantitative responses were analysed using descriptive statistics; free-text responses underwent qualitative content analysis. Results: The findings revealed that 95% of HCPs discussed PA at some or all appointments, with similar figures reported for SED (90%) and exercise (88%). However, only 63% of participants felt PA was adequately addressed within their services. Barriers included time constraints, resource limitations, and knowledge gaps. Key facilitators included training, toolkit availability, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for system-level changes to enable HCPs to deliver consistent, effective messaging that promotes PA and reduces SED, ultimately improving health outcomes for CYP receiving clinical input. Facilitating this approach requires embedding PA promotion into HCP training, expanding referral pathways to CYP, and strengthening multidisciplinary working.
published_date 2026-06-24T07:55:33Z
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