Abstract
Introduction
Care Sport Connectors (CSCs) have been appointed to create a connection between primary care and physical activity (PA) sector to encourage inactive residents to become physically active. Three recruitment strategies have been applied to reach the intended target group. This article examines whether the different recruitment strategies reach other participants in terms of physical activity and health characteristics.
Method
Participants were recruited by the CSC through public relations (n = 135), a personal letter (n = 136) or a referral (n = 98) and compared with multi-level analyses based on their PA level, quality of life, motivation self-efficacy, morbidity and fitness, measured before the intervention.
Results
The three groups were different in PA level (p = 0.002). The outcomes regarding health-related quality of life, motivation (p = 0.027) and number of somatic disorders (p = 0.007) were also significantly different for the three groups, except for the categories of mental health and self-efficacy. For all dimensions, the referral group scored the least favorable.
Conclusion
The investment of time and money for an active recruitment strategy, like referrals, is worthwhile because it provides CSCs the opportunity to reach people who are inactive and/or at risk for chronic disease.
Care Sport Connectors (CSCs) have been appointed to create a connection between primary care and physical activity (PA) sector to encourage inactive residents to become physically active. Three recruitment strategies have been applied to reach the intended target group. This article examines whether the different recruitment strategies reach other participants in terms of physical activity and health characteristics.
Method
Participants were recruited by the CSC through public relations (n = 135), a personal letter (n = 136) or a referral (n = 98) and compared with multi-level analyses based on their PA level, quality of life, motivation self-efficacy, morbidity and fitness, measured before the intervention.
Results
The three groups were different in PA level (p = 0.002). The outcomes regarding health-related quality of life, motivation (p = 0.027) and number of somatic disorders (p = 0.007) were also significantly different for the three groups, except for the categories of mental health and self-efficacy. For all dimensions, the referral group scored the least favorable.
Conclusion
The investment of time and money for an active recruitment strategy, like referrals, is worthwhile because it provides CSCs the opportunity to reach people who are inactive and/or at risk for chronic disease.
| Translated title of the contribution | The relationship between the Care Sport Connector’s recruitment strategy and characteristics of participants in Care Sport Connector activities |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | 25-33 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Tijdschrift voor Gezondheidswetenschappen |
| Volume | 99 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 9 Jul 2021 |
