Roc?o Mart?n-Valero
Given the paucity of qualitative research into the perceptions of inactive people, we sought to identify the issues associated with the benefits of a Physical Activity Promotion Programme (PAPP) and the perceptions of risks in 100 inactive people in primary healthcare centres in Torremolinos, Spain. Method: this randomised controlled clinical trial with concealed allocation and assessor blinding was supplemented by in-depth interviews with inactive people. Participants received either a PAPP which lasted 60 minutes, twice per week for three months which had been developed for progressive intensity in the Sports Centre in Torremolinos (n=50), or health education in primary healthcare centres (n=50). The primary outcome was quality of life, which was measured with the EuroQoL-5D self-report (EQ- 5D). Secondary outcomes included general health status, as measured by the SF-12 self-report in inactive people. Detailed field notes were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results: The men in the experimental group improved their EQ-5D score to 0.73 (p=0.05). The quantitative data showed statistically significant improvements in the generic health status of men after the intervention. A total of 10 semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with inactive people. Conclusions: There were no differences in the impact on the quality of life between the groups. In contrast, a total of 10 semi-structured in-depth interviews suggested important changes in beliefs about quality of life and risk factors for health. This study provides evidence for a PAPP as a mode of exercise training in inactive people.
