A realist, participatory, developmental evaluation of Greater Manchester Moving: a whole-of-systems approach to physical activity.

Oral Presentation B9.4

Authors

  • Katie Shearn Sheffield Hallam University
  • Emily Woodward-Essen Greater Manchester Sports Partnership
  • Richard Davis-Boreham Greater Manchester Sports Partnership
  • Hayley Lever Greater Manchester Sports Partnership
  • Tim Crabbe Sheffield Hallam University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.546

Keywords:

Public Health, Whole-of-Systems-Approaches, Inequality, Physical Activity

Abstract

Background: Whole-of-systems approaches (WSA) to physical activity are advocated in international and UK policy. Greater Manchester Moving (GM Moving) is a social movement for enabling active lives across a population of 2.8 million people. It is the city region’s response to tackling inequalities in physical activity, intended to lead to better physical and mental health and stronger communities. Program Delivery: GM Moving supports multiple stakeholders to take action to influence culture, policy, practice, the physical environment, social norms and individual opportunities, motivations, and capabilities to make it easy and usual to be active. Evaluation: GM Moving is evaluated using a realist, developmental, participatory approach. This is appropriate to match the inherent complexity in the WSA, embracing its dynamic, open, interrelated, and emergent nature. The findings explain progress towards system change, both before and during the COVID 19 pandemic. This includes work to challenge dominant ways of working that are not constructive for tackling inequalities in physical activity, promoting collective leadership, working across organisational boundaries, involving local people and communities, adapting strategies based on learning in real time and transforming governance processes. Limitations to progress are also outlined. Conclusions: This study illustrates the operationalisation of a WSA highlighting what may or may not work to create the conditions for population level change in physical activity. Funding: Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the NHS in Greater Manchester and Sport England.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Shearn, K., Woodward-Essen, E., Davis-Boreham, R., Lever, H., & Crabbe, T. (2021). A realist, participatory, developmental evaluation of Greater Manchester Moving: a whole-of-systems approach to physical activity.: Oral Presentation B9.4. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.546

Most read articles by the same author(s)