{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T15:36:46Z","timestamp":1782315406415,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":80,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]],"date-time":"2026-01-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769472000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,27]],"date-time":"2026-03-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1774569600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":59,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"ISPS Handa Foundation"},{"name":"The R&A"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Prim. Care"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Physical inactivity has significant adverse consequences for health and wellbeing, yet its ubiquity in higher income countries continues to be a major issue. Participation in sport is one possible solution to reducing inactivity, with evidence showing its ability to increase physical activity levels, improving physical and mental health, as well as social connections. Recent research has suggested that the benefits of sports, such as golf, could be achieved through social prescribing schemes, connecting inactive individuals to local activity opportunities. However, it is unclear how this connection pathway between community health settings and golf clubs may work in practice. A pilot Golf for Health scheme was implemented in Fife, Scotland. The present research aimed to assess the acceptability of this programme and its connection pathways, exploring this amongst participants\u2019 experiences.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Healthcare practices and allied professionals in Fife were invited to take part in the pilot study, connecting inactive individuals with five local golf clubs offering a free-of-charge \u2018Golf for Health\u2019 programme. Following the pilot, two semi-structured focus groups (\n                      <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u2009=\u20099) were conducted with participants who completed the programme. These aimed to explore how well the intervention was received and the extent to which it met participant needs, as well as the initial connection experience. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Three overarching themes were developed, representing the barriers and facilitators to engagement; the connection pathway and sign-up process; and the participants\u2019 programme experience. Participants enjoyed the programme, appreciated the chance to learn golf and make new friends in a welcoming environment; however, there were concerns regarding the connection pathways and sign-up process.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Overall responses were positive, with reports that participation was generally beneficial. \u2018Golf for Health\u2019 may offer an accessible and social introduction to golf, subsequently providing opportunity for long-term health and wellbeing benefits. More work is needed on developing connection pathways that are acceptable and feasible in practice.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12875-026-03180-1","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]],"date-time":"2026-01-27T04:55:18Z","timestamp":1769489718000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["\u201cWalking around the golf course is the exercise you need\u201d: Exploring the acceptability of a golf on referral scheme amongst participants through post-programme focus groups"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"27","author":[{"given":"Samuel J","family":"Warne","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lynsey R","family":"Brown","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kevin","family":"Barker","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sharon A","family":"Carstairs","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kathryn Burns","family":"Cunningham","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sandhya","family":"Duggal","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Iain","family":"Evans","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Allan","family":"Martin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrew","family":"Murray","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gozde","family":"Ozakinci","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrew J","family":"Williams","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Frank","family":"Sullivan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"3180_CR1","unstructured":"World Health Organization. World Health Organization News Room. 2022. p. 1. Physical Activity. Available from: https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/physical-activity. Cited 2023 Mar 16."},{"key":"3180_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1\u00b79 million participants. Lancet Glob Health. 2018;6(10):e1077\u201386. Available from: http:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/article\/S2214109X18303577\/fulltext. Cited 2022 Mar 6.","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(18)30357-7"},{"key":"3180_CR3","unstructured":"World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Geneva. 2020. Available from: https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/9789240015128."},{"key":"3180_CR4","unstructured":"National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Physical activity: exercise referral schemes. 2014. Available from: https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/ph54."},{"key":"3180_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"103279","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msksp.2025.103279","volume":"77","author":"H de Amorim","year":"2025","unstructured":"de Amorim H, de Noronha M, Hunter J, Barrett S, Kingsley M. Barriers and facilitators to exercise-based rehabilitation in people with musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2025;77:103279.","journal-title":"Musculoskelet Sci Pract"},{"issue":"12","key":"3180_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2721","DOI":"10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000003314","volume":"165","author":"C Leese","year":"2024","unstructured":"Leese C, Gupte D, Christogianni A, Higgins C, Adair P, Dall P, et al. Barriers and facilitators for physical activity in people living with chronic pain: a systematic review and combined analysis. Pain. 2024;165(12):2721\u201332.","journal-title":"Pain"},{"key":"3180_CR7","unstructured":"Department of Health and Social Care. Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers\u2019 report - GOV.UK. 2019. Available from: https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/physical-activity-guidelines-uk-chief-medical-officers-report. Cited 2024 Feb 5."},{"key":"3180_CR8","unstructured":"Scottish Government. Physical Activity for Health: Scotland\u2019s National Framework. 2024. Available from: https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/physical-activity-health-framework\/documents\/."},{"key":"3180_CR9","unstructured":"Scottish Government. A More Active Scotland: Scotland\u2019s Physical Activity Delivery Plan. 2018. Available from: https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/active-scotland-delivery-plan\/pages\/5\/."},{"key":"3180_CR10","unstructured":"Public Health Scotland. Physical Activity Referral Standards. 2022. Available from: https:\/\/www.publichealthscotland.scot\/publications\/physical-activity-referral-standards\/."},{"key":"3180_CR11","unstructured":"Scottish Government. Scotland\u2019s Population Health Framework. 2025. Available from: https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/scotlands-population-health-framework\/."},{"key":"3180_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Carstairs SA, Rogowsky RH, Cunningham KB, Sullivan F, Ozakinci G. Connecting primary care patients to community-based physical activity: a qualitative study of health professional and patient views. BJGP Open. 2020;4(3). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3399\/bjgpopen20x101100.","DOI":"10.3399\/bjgpopen20x101100"},{"key":"3180_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Leese CJ, Clarke R, Mann RH, Cross R, Al-Zubaidi H, Smith BH et al. Motivations, delivery, perceived benefits, and barriers to delivery of the parkrun practice initiative in general practices across the UK: a national cross-sectional online survey of healthcare professionals and event organisers. BMC Primary Care. 2025;26(1):137. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12875-025-02827-9.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12875-025-02827-9"},{"key":"3180_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101949","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eujim.2021.101949","volume":"48","author":"M Polley","year":"2021","unstructured":"Polley M, Fixsen A, Seers H. Evaluation of a social prescribing pilot in Shropshire \u2013 implementation and impact findings. Eur J Integr Med. 2021;48:101949.","journal-title":"Eur J Integr Med"},{"key":"3180_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Cunningham KB, Rogowsky RH, Carstairs SA, Sullivan F, Ozakinci G. Methods of connecting primary care patients with community-based physical activity opportunities: A realist scoping review. Health Soc Care Community. 2021;29(4):1169\u201399. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/hsc.13186.","DOI":"10.1111\/hsc.13186"},{"key":"3180_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"l1285","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.l1285","volume":"364","author":"C Drinkwater","year":"2019","unstructured":"Drinkwater C, Wildman J, Moffatt S. Social prescribing. BMJ. 2019;364:l1285.","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"3180_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Alderwick HAJ, Gottlieb LM, Fichtenberg CM, Adler NE. Social Prescribing in the U.S. and England: Emerging Interventions to Address Patients\u2019 Social Needs. Am J Prev Med. 2018;54(5):715\u20138. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.amepre.2018.01.039.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amepre.2018.01.039"},{"key":"3180_CR18","unstructured":"National Academy for Social Prescribing. The Future of Social Prescribing in England. 2023. Available from: https:\/\/socialprescribingacademy.org.uk\/resources\/the-future-of-social-prescribing-in-england\/."},{"key":"3180_CR19","unstructured":"Smith F. ESSENTIAL CONNECTIONS: Exploring the range and scope of community link worker programmes across Scotland. 2023. Available from: https:\/\/vhscotland.org.uk\/essential-connections-report-published-looking-into-the-range-of-community-link-worker-programmes-in-scotland\/."},{"key":"3180_CR20","unstructured":"Scottish Government. Primary Care Improvement Plans: Summary of Implementation Progress at March 2023. 2024. Available from: https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/primary-care-improvement-plans-summary-of-implementation-progress-at-march-2024\/."},{"key":"3180_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kiely B, Croke A, O\u2019Shea M, Boland F, O\u2019Shea E, Connolly D, et al. Effect of social prescribing link workers on health outcomes and costs for adults in primary care and community settings: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2022;12(10):e062951.Available from: http:\/\/bmjopen.bmj.com\/content\/12\/10\/e062951.abstract.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2022-062951"},{"key":"3180_CR22","unstructured":"NHS England. Social Prescribing Link Workers. 2024. Available from: https:\/\/www.england.nhs.uk\/personalisedcare\/workforce-and-training\/social-prescribing-link-workers\/ Cited 2024 Sep 9."},{"key":"3180_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McCartney M. Prescribing parkrun: medicalising a walk in the park. BMJ. 2025;389:r670. Available from: https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/389\/bmj.r670.abstract.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.r670"},{"key":"3180_CR24","unstructured":"The R&A. R&A Golf and Health Report. 2020. Available from: https:\/\/www.randa.org\/articles\/r-a-golf-and-health-report-published."},{"key":"3180_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Murray AD, Daines L, Archibald D, Hawkes RA, Schiphorst C, Kelly P et al. The relationships between golf and health: a scoping review. Br J Sports Med. 2017;51(1):12 LP \u2013 19. Available from: http:\/\/bjsm.bmj.com\/content\/51\/1\/12.abstract.","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2016-096625"},{"key":"3180_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Murray A, Jenkins E, Hawkes R. Understanding golf and health. In: Routledge International Handbook of Golf Science. Routledge; 2017. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/9781315641782.","DOI":"10.4324\/9781315641782"},{"key":"3180_CR27","unstructured":"Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Physical activity: applying All Our Health. 2022. Available from: https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/physical-activity-applying-all-our-health\/physical-activity-applying-all-our-health#further-reading-resources-and-good-practice."},{"key":"3180_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Bliss RR, Church FC. Golf as a Physical Activity to Potentially Reduce the Risk of Falls in Older Adults with Parkinson\u2019s Disease. Vol. 9, Sports. 2021. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/sports9060072.","DOI":"10.3390\/sports9060072"},{"key":"3180_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kettinen J, Tikkanen H, Venoj\u00e4rvi M. Comparative effectiveness of playing golf to Nordic walking and walking on acute physiological effects on cardiometabolic markers in healthy older adults: a randomised cross-over study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023;9(1):e001474. Available from: https:\/\/bmjopensemsite-bmj.vercel.app\/content\/9\/1\/e001474.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjsem-2022-001474"},{"key":"3180_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kettinen J, Tikkanen H, Hiltunen M, Murray A, Horn N, Taylor WR et al. Cognitive and biomarker responses in healthy older adults to a 18-hole golf round and different walking types: a randomised cross-over study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023;9(4):e001629. Available from: https:\/\/bmjopensemsite-bmj.vercel.app\/content\/9\/4\/e001629.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjsem-2023-001629"},{"key":"3180_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"158","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jor.2024.03.029","volume":"54","author":"ND Clement","year":"2024","unstructured":"Clement ND, Robinson PG, Murray IR, Murray AD, MacDonald D, Gaston P, et al. Golfers are physically more active and have greater health associated quality of life than non-golfers following lower limb arthroplasty. J Orthop. 2024;54:158\u201362.","journal-title":"J Orthop"},{"key":"3180_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Sorbie GG, Beaumont AJ, Williams AK, Lavallee D. Golf and Physical Health: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine. 2022;52(12):2943\u201363. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40279-022-01732-w.","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-022-01732-w"},{"key":"3180_CR33","unstructured":"Sorbie GG, Richardson AK, Glen J, Hardie S, Taliep S, Wade M et al. The Association of Golf Participation With Health and Wellbeing: A Comparative Study. International Journal of Golf Science. 2020;9(1). Available from: https:\/\/www.golfsciencejournal.org\/article\/12915-the-association-of-golf-participation-with-health-and-wellbeing-a-comparative-study."},{"key":"3180_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Farahmand B, Broman G, De Faire U, V\u00e5ger\u00f6 D, Ahlbom A. Golf: a game of life and death \u2013 reduced mortality in Swedish golf players. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2009;19(3):419\u201324. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1600-0838.2008.00814.x.","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0838.2008.00814.x"},{"key":"3180_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Parkkari J, Natri A, Kannus P, M\u00e4ntt\u00e4ri A, Laukkanen R, Haapasalo H et al. A controlled trial of the health benefits of regular walking on a golf course. Am J Med. 2000;109(2):102\u20138. Available from: https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0002934300004551.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0002-9343(00)00455-1"},{"key":"3180_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Herrmann SD, Willis EA, Ainsworth BE, Barreira TV, Hastert M, Kracht CL et al. 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities: A third update of the energy costs of human activities. J Sport Health Sci. 2024;13(1):6\u201312. Available from: https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2095254623001084.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2023.10.010"},{"key":"3180_CR37","unstructured":"Leading Courses. How Many Golf Courses Are There in the World?. 2024. Available from: https:\/\/www.leadingcourses.com\/inspiration\/80325821-e3de-46b7-9932-c3a925f6ac86\/how-many-golf-courses-are-there-in-the-world."},{"key":"3180_CR38","unstructured":"The R and A. Global Golf Participation 2024. 2025. Available from: https:\/\/www.randa.org\/en\/downloads-and-publications."},{"key":"3180_CR39","unstructured":"Carstairs SA, Brown LR, van Beusekom M, Ozakinci G, Sullivan F, Williams AJ et al. Co-designing acceptable, feasible and engaging social prescribing pathways: the case of connecting from primary care to golf for health. 2025. [Manuscript submitted for publication]."},{"key":"3180_CR40","unstructured":"American College of Sport Medicine. ACSM\u2019s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013. https:\/\/acsm.org\/education-resources\/books\/guidelines-exercise-testing-prescription\/."},{"key":"3180_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Candio P, Meads D, Hill AJ, Bojke L. Does providing everyone with free-of-charge organised exercise opportunities work in public health? Health Policy (New York). 2022;126(2):129\u201342. Available from: https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S016885102200001X.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.healthpol.2022.01.001"},{"key":"3180_CR42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fry J, McMahon N, Hall P, Barron D, Davies T, Yiannaki C et al. \u2018Getting Back Into the Swing of Things\u2019: A Qualitative Study Into Barriers and Facilitators to Golf Participation for Stroke Survivors. International Journal of Golf Science. 2017;6(1). Available from: https:\/\/www.golfsciencejournal.org\/article\/5005-getting-back-into-the-swing-of-things-a-qualitative-study-into-barriers-and-facilitators-to-golf-participation-for-stroke-survivors.","DOI":"10.1123\/ijgs.2017-0011"},{"key":"3180_CR43","unstructured":"Monforte J, Smith B, Bennett T, Benefits. Barriers and Facilitators to Golf Participation Among Disabled People: Identifying Opportunities to Increase Uptake and Foster Inclusion. International Journal of Golf Science. 2022;10(1). Available from: https:\/\/www.golfsciencejournal.org\/article\/27614-benefits-barriers-and-facilitators-to-golf-participation-among-disabled-people-identifying-opportunities-to-increase-uptake-and-foster-inclusion."},{"key":"3180_CR44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Farrance C, Tsofliou F, Clark C. Adherence to community based group exercise interventions for older people: A mixed-methods systematic review. Prev Med (Baltim). 2016;87:155\u201366. Available from: https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0091743516300147.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ypmed.2016.02.037"},{"key":"3180_CR45","unstructured":"Krueger RA, Casey MA. Participants in a focus group. Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. 5th edition. SAGE; 2014. pp. 77\u2013102. https:\/\/uk.sagepub.com\/en-gb\/eur\/focus-groups\/book243860."},{"key":"3180_CR46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"DeJonckheere M, Vaughn LM. Semistructured interviewing in primary care research: a balance of relationship and rigour. Fam Med Community Health. 2019;7(2):e000057. Available from: http:\/\/fmch.bmj.com\/content\/7\/2\/e000057.abstract.","DOI":"10.1136\/fmch-2018-000057"},{"key":"3180_CR47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.17630\/a1b8fe48-6ee7-4b2d-9d9f-7947bde60b63","author":"SJ Warne","year":"2024","unstructured":"Warne SJ, Brown LR, Sullivan F. Dataset - EAGLE golf for Health - Phase 2 - Focus groups. Univ St Andrews Res Portal. 2024. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.17630\/a1b8fe48-6ee7-4b2d-9d9f-7947bde60b63.","journal-title":"Univ St Andrews Res Portal"},{"key":"3180_CR48","unstructured":"Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in Psychology. Braun, virginia: department of Psychology, university of Auckland, private bag 92019, Auckland. Volume 3. New Zealand: Hodder Arnold; 2006. pp. 77\u2013101."},{"key":"3180_CR49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Fereday J, Muir-Cochrane E. Demonstrating Rigor Using Thematic Analysis: A Hybrid Approach of Inductive and Deductive Coding and Theme Development. Int J Qual Methods. 2006;5(1):80\u201392. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/160940690600500107.","DOI":"10.1177\/160940690600500107"},{"key":"3180_CR50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Braun V, Clarke V. One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qual Res Psychol. 2021;18(3):328\u201352. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/14780887.2020.1769238.","DOI":"10.1080\/14780887.2020.1769238"},{"issue":"9280","key":"3180_CR51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"483","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(01)05627-6","volume":"358","author":"K Malterud","year":"2001","unstructured":"Malterud K. Qualitative research: standards, challenges, and guidelines. Lancet. 2001;358(9280):483\u20138.","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"3180_CR52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care. 2007;19(6):349\u201357. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042.","DOI":"10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042"},{"key":"3180_CR53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Braun V, Clarke V. Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qual Res Sport Exerc Health. 2019;11(4):589\u201397. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/2159676X.2019.1628806.","DOI":"10.1080\/2159676X.2019.1628806"},{"key":"3180_CR54","unstructured":"Braun V, Clarke V. Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis. Qualitative Psychology. Braun, virginia: school of Psychology, the university of Auckland, private bag 92019. Volume 9. ac.nz: Educational Publishing Foundation; 2022. pp. 3\u201326. Auckland Mail Centre, \u0100otearoa, Auk, New Zealand, 1142."},{"key":"3180_CR55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Michie S, van Stralen MM, West R. The behaviour change wheel: A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implement Sci. 2011. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1748-5908-6-42.","DOI":"10.1186\/1748-5908-6-42"},{"key":"3180_CR56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Naeem M, Ozuem W, Howell K, Ranfagni S. A Step-by-Step Process of Thematic Analysis to Develop a Conceptual Model in Qualitative Research. Int J Qual Methods. 2023;22:16094069231205788. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/16094069231205789.","DOI":"10.1177\/16094069231205789"},{"key":"3180_CR57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Ojo SO, Bailey DP, Hewson DJ, Chater AM. Perceived barriers and facilitators to breaking up sitting time among Desk-Based office workers: A qualitative investigation using the TDF and COM-B. Volume 16. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; 2019. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph16162903.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph16162903"},{"key":"3180_CR58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Flannery C, McHugh S, Anaba AE, Clifford E, O\u2019Riordan M, Kenny LC et al. Enablers and barriers to physical activity in overweight and obese pregnant women: an analysis informed by the theoretical domains framework and COM-B model. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018;18(1):178. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12884-018-1816-z.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-018-1816-z"},{"key":"3180_CR59","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Warne SJ, Ainge JA, Ozakinci G. I think office environments aren\u2019t really conducive to physical activity: A qualitative interview study with participants of a workplace physical activity programme. BMC Public Health. 2025;25(3803). Available from: https:\/\/bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12889-025-25007-x.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-025-25007-x"},{"key":"3180_CR60","unstructured":"Vincent S, O\u2019Mahoney J, The, SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Business and Management Research Methods. : History and Traditions. 55 City Road: SAGE Publications Ltd; 2018. Available from: https:\/\/methods.sagepub.com\/book\/handbook-of-qualitative-business-management-research-methods-v1."},{"key":"3180_CR61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Willmott TJ, Pang B, Rundle-Thiele S. Capability, opportunity, and motivation: an across contexts empirical examination of the COM-B model. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):1014. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12889-021-11019-w.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-021-11019-w"},{"key":"3180_CR62","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Kindred R, Bates GW. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on social anxiety: A systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(3). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph20032362.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph20032362"},{"key":"3180_CR63","unstructured":"World Health Organization. World Health Organization News Room. COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. 2022. Available from: https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide. Cited 2023 Apr 8."},{"key":"3180_CR64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Biddle S, Mutrie N, Gorely T. Psychology of physical activity. Psychol Phys Activity. 2013. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/9780203123492.","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203123492"},{"key":"3180_CR65","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Safi A, Cole M, Kelly AL, Zariwala MG, Walker NC. Workplace physical activity barriers and facilitators: A qualitative study based on employees physical activity levels. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(15). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph19159442.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19159442"},{"key":"3180_CR66","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Warne S, Schenke KC, Baker S. The time divide: Reducing the barrier of a lack of spare time increased physical activity levels during the UK Government-enforced COVID-19 lockdown. PsyArXiv; 2022. Available from: http:\/\/europepmc.org\/abstract\/PPR\/PPR491362.","DOI":"10.31234\/osf.io\/tjcfx"},{"key":"3180_CR67","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Healy S, Patterson F, Biddle S, Dumuid D, Glorieux I, Olds T et al. It\u2019s about time to exercise: development of the Exercise Participation Explained in Relation to Time (EXPERT) model. Br J Sports Med. 2024;58(19):1131 LP \u2013 1144. Available from: http:\/\/bjsm.bmj.com\/content\/58\/19\/1131.abstract.","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2024-108500"},{"key":"3180_CR68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Bandura A. Self-Efficay: the excercise of control. Springer Reference; 1997. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4278\/0890-1171-12.1.8.","DOI":"10.4278\/0890-1171-12.1.8"},{"key":"3180_CR69","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Higgins TJ, Middleton KR, Winner L, Janelle CM. Physical activity interventions differentially affect exercise task and barrier self-efficacy: A meta-analysis. Vol. 33, Health Psychology. 2014. pp. 891\u2013903. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/a0033864.","DOI":"10.1037\/a0033864"},{"issue":"4","key":"3180_CR70","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"476","DOI":"10.1093\/fampra\/9.4.476","volume":"9","author":"MP Kelly","year":"1992","unstructured":"Kelly MP, Sullivan F. The productive use of threat in primary care: behavioural responses to health promotion. Fam Pract. 1992;9(4):476\u201380.","journal-title":"Fam Pract"},{"key":"3180_CR71","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McHardy A, Pollard H. Muscle activity during the golf swing. Br J Sports Med. 2005;39(11):799 LP \u2013 804. Available from: http:\/\/bjsm.bmj.com\/content\/39\/11\/799.abstract.","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsm.2005.020271"},{"issue":"2","key":"3180_CR72","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1007\/s10488-010-0319-7","volume":"38","author":"E Proctor","year":"2011","unstructured":"Proctor E, Silmere H, Raghavan R, Hovmand P, Aarons G, Bunger A, et al. Outcomes for implementation research: conceptual distinctions, measurement challenges, and research agenda. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2011;38(2):65\u201376.","journal-title":"Adm Policy Ment Health"},{"key":"3180_CR73","unstructured":"Public Health Scotland. Health and Care Experience survey. 2024. Available from: https:\/\/publichealthscotland.scot\/publications\/health-and-care-experience-survey\/health-and-care-experience-survey-2024\/detailed-experience-ratings-side-by-side\/."},{"key":"3180_CR74","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Bergen N, Labont\u00e9 R. Everything Is Perfect, and We Have No Problems: Detecting and Limiting Social Desirability Bias in Qualitative Research. Qual Health Res. 2019;30(5):783\u201392. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1049732319889354.","DOI":"10.1177\/1049732319889354"},{"key":"3180_CR75","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Woo JS, Derleth C, Stratton JR, Levy WC. The Influence of Age, Gender, and Training on Exercise Efficiency. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;47(5):1049\u201357. Available from: https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0735109705028639.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jacc.2005.09.066"},{"issue":"4","key":"3180_CR76","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"709","DOI":"10.1093\/geront\/gny038","volume":"59","author":"CN Steltenpohl","year":"2019","unstructured":"Steltenpohl CN, Shuster M, Peist E, Pham A, Mikels JA. Me time, or we time? Age differences in motivation for exercise. Gerontologist. 2019;59(4):709\u201317.","journal-title":"Gerontologist"},{"key":"3180_CR77","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.1186\/s13690-019-0354-0","volume":"77","author":"IV St\u00f8dle","year":"2019","unstructured":"St\u00f8dle IV, Debesay J, Pajalic Z, Lid IM, Bergland A. The experience of motivation and adherence to group-based exercise of Norwegians aged 80 and more: a qualitative study. Arch Public Health. 2019;77:26.","journal-title":"Arch Public Health"},{"key":"3180_CR78","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Killingback C, Tsofliou F, Clark C. Older people\u2019s adherence to community-based group exercise programmes: a multiple-case study. BMC Public Health. 2017;17(1):115. Available from: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12889-017-4049-6.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-017-4049-6"},{"issue":"11","key":"3180_CR79","first-page":"e74165","volume":"16","author":"M Fairag","year":"2024","unstructured":"Fairag M, Alzahrani SA, Alshehri N, Alamoudi AO, Alkheriji Y, Alzahrani OA, et al. Exercise as a therapeutic intervention for chronic disease management: A comprehensive review. Cureus. 2024;16(11):e74165.","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"issue":"4","key":"3180_CR80","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"317","DOI":"10.7570\/jomes21092","volume":"30","author":"YA Shin","year":"2021","unstructured":"Shin YA, Kim KB. The importance of individual choice and intention in exercise adherence and weight management. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2021;30(4):317\u20139.","journal-title":"J Obes Metab Syndr"}],"container-title":["BMC Primary Care"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12875-026-03180-1","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12875-026-03180-1.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12875-026-03180-1.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,16]],"date-time":"2026-06-16T17:11:13Z","timestamp":1781629873000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1186\/s12875-026-03180-1"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]]},"references-count":80,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["3180"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12875-026-03180-1","relation":{},"ISSN":["2731-4553"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2731-4553","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]]},"assertion":[{"value":"23 July 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"13 January 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"27 January 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"This research adhered in totality to the Declaration of Helsinki, and received ethical approval from the University of St Andrews School of Medicine Ethics Committee in March 2022 (Approval Code: MD16041) and NHS REC Approval in October 2022 (IRAS Project ID: 309100). Data collection took place across 2023. All participants were fully informed, and signed consent forms accordingly before their participation in the focus groups began.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"KB & AMu both have employment status with the R&A, however declare no competing interests in relation to this work.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"108"}}