{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,11]],"date-time":"2026-02-11T00:22:55Z","timestamp":1770769375264,"version":"3.50.0"},"reference-count":59,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]],"date-time":"2026-02-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1770249600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS One"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Physical inactivity among children in Western countries, especially children from ethnic minority groups, is a global health concern. Schools provide an ideal setting to address children\u2019s physical activity needs, with teachers playing a major role. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore teachers\u2019 perspectives on barriers and motivators to physical activity participation in children from ethnic minority groups and to determine through their suggestions, how schools can be better supported to provide a physical activity-enabling environment. A purposive sample of eight primary school teachers in the Northeast of England, United Kingdom, participated in semi-structured interviews conducted through a combination of face-to-face and virtual settings. Reflexive thematic analysis identified seven barriers and nine motivators to physical activity, distributed across different levels of the socio-ecological theory. At the intrapersonal level, motivators included fun and wellbeing, whereas barriers included behavioural issues, and increased screen time. The interpersonal level encompassed influences of friends, parents, and teachers. At the institutional level, in-school activities were identified as motivators. At the community level, environmental influence and perceptions of safety were identified as barriers. At the public policy level, government\/local council and resources were identified as both barriers and motivators. Notably, the teachers\u2019 perspectives align with previous findings on barriers and motivators to physical activity among children from ethnic minority groups in the Northeast of England, while contributing to policy-level insights. These policy-level insights highlight the importance of staff training, government funding, and sports infrastructure improvements.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0342233","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]],"date-time":"2026-02-05T18:32:00Z","timestamp":1770316320000},"page":"e0342233","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Teachers\u2019 perspectives on barriers and motivators to physical activity participation in children from ethnic minority groups in Newcastle upon Tyne: A qualitative study"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"21","author":[{"given":"Joyce Ene Omenyo","family":"Omojor-Oche","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Gavin Daniel","family":"Tempest","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Florentina","family":"Hettinga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8762-4323","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Kandianos Emmanouil","family":"Sakalidis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"340","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"pone.0342233.ref001","volume-title":"Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age","author":"World Health Organization","year":"2019"},{"key":"pone.0342233.ref002","unstructured":"School Sport and Activity Action Plan. 2023. https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1172036\/School_Sport_and_Activity_Action_Plan.pdf"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref003","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"143","DOI":"10.1186\/s12966-020-01042-2","article-title":"Advancing the global physical activity agenda: recommendations for future research by the 2020 WHO physical activity and sedentary behavior guidelines development group","volume":"17","author":"L DiPietro","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act"},{"key":"pone.0342233.ref004","unstructured":"Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Physical Activity Data Tool: January 2022 Update. 2022. https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/statistics\/physical-activity-data-tool-january-2022"},{"issue":"5","key":"pone.0342233.ref005","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2018-027627","article-title":"Socioeconomic and ethnic differences in children\u2019s vigorous intensity physical activity: a cross-sectional analysis of the UK Millennium Cohort Study","volume":"9","author":"R Love","year":"2019","journal-title":"BMJ Open"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0342233.ref006","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.15585\/mmwr.ss6506a1","article-title":"Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance - United States, 2015","volume":"65","author":"L Kann","year":"2016","journal-title":"MMWR Surveill Summ"},{"key":"pone.0342233.ref007","first-page":"292","article-title":"Correlates of physical activity in young people","volume":"31","author":"J Martins","year":"2017","journal-title":"Retos-Nuevas tendencias en educacion fisica deporte y recreacion"},{"issue":"10298","key":"pone.0342233.ref008","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"429","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(21)01259-9","article-title":"Physical activity behaviours in adolescence: current evidence and opportunities for intervention","volume":"398","author":"EMF van Sluijs","year":"2021","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref009","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1186\/s12966-017-0555-2","article-title":"Understanding differences between summer vs. school obesogenic behaviors of children: the structured days hypothesis","volume":"14","author":"K Brazendale","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act"},{"key":"pone.0342233.ref010","article-title":"Classroom-based physical activity, cognition, and academic achievement","author":"JE Donnelly","year":"2011","journal-title":"Prev Med"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0342233.ref011","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1197","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000000901","article-title":"Physical Activity, Fitness, Cognitive Function, and Academic Achievement in Children: A Systematic Review","volume":"48","author":"JE Donnelly","year":"2016","journal-title":"Med Sci Sports Exerc"},{"issue":"9","key":"pone.0342233.ref012","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"799","DOI":"10.1123\/jpah.2018-0648","article-title":"The Effectiveness of Physical Activity Interventions for Low-Income and Ethnic Minority Children and Youths: A Meta-Analysis","volume":"16","author":"SH Chang","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Phys Act Health"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0342233.ref013","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"826","DOI":"10.1093\/her\/cyl063","article-title":"Understanding participation in sport and physical activity among children and adults: a review of qualitative studies","volume":"21","author":"S Allender","year":"2006","journal-title":"Health Educ Res"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0342233.ref014","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"201","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsams.2013.04.019","article-title":"Measured sedentary time and physical activity during the school day of European 10- to 12-year-old children: the ENERGY project","volume":"17","author":"MM van Stralen","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Sci Med Sport"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0342233.ref015","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"368","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pcad.2014.09.010","article-title":"Supporting public health priorities: recommendations for physical education and physical activity promotion in schools","volume":"57","author":"AP Hills","year":"2015","journal-title":"Prog Cardiovasc Dis"},{"issue":"5","key":"pone.0342233.ref016","article-title":"A qualitative analysis of perceived barriers and motivators to physical activity in children from ethnic minority groups and white British children","volume":"20","author":"JEO Omojor-Oche","year":"2025","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"pone.0342233.ref017","article-title":"Educating Teachers for Cultural Diversity in the United States","author":"K Zeichner","year":"2021","journal-title":"Routledge Library Editions: Education Mini-Set N Teachers & Teacher Education Research 13 vols. Routledge"},{"issue":"9","key":"pone.0342233.ref018","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"987","DOI":"10.1111\/obr.12562","article-title":"Barriers and facilitators to young children\u2019s physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative literature","volume":"18","author":"KR Hesketh","year":"2017","journal-title":"Obes Rev"},{"issue":"7","key":"pone.0342233.ref019","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1356","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph15071356","article-title":"Physical Activity and Outdoor Play of Children in Public Playgrounds-Do Gender and Social Environment Matter?","volume":"15","author":"AK Reimers","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0342233.ref020","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"407","DOI":"10.1080\/17408989.2015.1017456","article-title":"Motivational processes in children\u2019s physical activity and health-related quality of life","volume":"21","author":"X Gu","year":"2015","journal-title":"Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0342233.ref021","article-title":"School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18","volume":"2013","author":"M Dobbins","year":"2013","journal-title":"Cochrane Database Syst Rev"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref022","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"99","DOI":"10.1186\/s12966-017-0554-3","article-title":"Systematic mapping review of the factors influencing physical activity and sedentary behaviour in ethnic minority groups in Europe: a DEDIPAC study","volume":"14","author":"LJ Lang\u00f8ien","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act"},{"issue":"21","key":"pone.0342233.ref023","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11018","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph182111018","article-title":"Local Inequalities in Health Behaviours: Longitudinal Findings from the Stockton-On-Tees Cohort Study","volume":"18","author":"N Akhter","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0342233.ref024","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"134","DOI":"10.1080\/13573322.2017.1344123","article-title":"In defence of white privilege: physical education teachers\u2019 understandings of their work in culturally diverse schools","volume":"24","author":"D Barker","year":"2017","journal-title":"Sport, Education and Society"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref025","first-page":"01","article-title":"Justification for adopting qualitative research method, research approaches, sampling strategy, sample size, interview method, saturation, and data analysis","volume":"5","author":"MA Islam","year":"2022","journal-title":"Journal of International Business and Management"},{"key":"pone.0342233.ref026","first-page":"29","article-title":"Methodological integrity: Establishing the fidelity and utility of your research","author":"HM Levitt","year":"2020","journal-title":"Reporting qualitative research in psychology: How to meet APA Style Journal Article Reporting Standards (Revised Edition). American Psychological Association"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0342233.ref027","article-title":"Semistructured interviewing in primary care research: a balance of relationship and rigour","volume":"7","author":"M DeJonckheere","year":"2019","journal-title":"Fam Med Community Health"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0342233.ref028","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"589","DOI":"10.1080\/2159676X.2019.1628806","article-title":"Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis","volume":"11","author":"V Braun","year":"2019","journal-title":"Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref029","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1177\/1609406917733847","article-title":"Thematic Analysis","volume":"16","author":"LS Nowell","year":"2017","journal-title":"International Journal of Qualitative Methods"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0342233.ref030","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"403","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-5812.2010.00720.x","article-title":"Reconsidering Constructivism in Qualitative Research","volume":"44","author":"CG Lee","year":"2012","journal-title":"Educational Philosophy and Theory"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0342233.ref031","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"463","DOI":"10.1080\/09650799700200036","article-title":"The diverse role of the critical friend in supporting educational action research projects","volume":"5","author":"D Kember","year":"1997","journal-title":"Educational Action Research"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0342233.ref032","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"179","DOI":"10.1097\/CEH.0000000000000210","article-title":"Critical Friends: Health Professionals\u2019 Experiences of Collegial Feedback in a Clinical Setting","volume":"38","author":"E Carlson","year":"2018","journal-title":"J Contin Educ Health Prof"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0342233.ref033","first-page":"120","article-title":"Teaching thematic analysis: overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning","volume":"26","author":"V Clarke","year":"2013","journal-title":"The Psychologist"},{"key":"pone.0342233.ref034","first-page":"37","article-title":"Ecological models of human development.","volume-title":"International encyclopedia of education","author":"U. Bronfenbrenner","year":"1994"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0342233.ref035","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"243","DOI":"10.1111\/jftr.12022","article-title":"Urie Bronfenbrenner\u2019s Theory of Human Development: Its Evolution From Ecology to Bioecology","volume":"5","author":"EM Rosa","year":"2013","journal-title":"J of Family Theo & Revie"},{"issue":"9","key":"pone.0342233.ref036","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3033","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17093033","article-title":"Barriers and Facilitators to Leisure Physical Activity in Children: A Qualitative Approach Using the Socio-Ecological Model","volume":"17","author":"M Mart\u00ednez-Andr\u00e9s","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0342233.ref037","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3147","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18063147","article-title":"Factors That Influence Participation in Physical Activity in School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review from the Social Ecological Model Perspective","volume":"18","author":"D Hu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"pone.0342233.ref038","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1005","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-015-2351-8","article-title":"Parental views of children\u2019s physical activity: a qualitative study with parents from multi-ethnic backgrounds living in England","volume":"15","author":"J Trigwell","year":"2015","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0342233.ref039","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"756","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare9060756","article-title":"Sedentary Behavior among 6-14-Year-Old Children during the COVID-19 Lockdown and Its Relation to Physical and Mental Health","volume":"9","author":"R Breidokien\u0117","year":"2021","journal-title":"Healthcare (Basel)"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref040","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"485","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-021-10545-x","article-title":"Keeping children healthy during and after COVID-19 pandemic: meeting youth physical activity needs","volume":"21","author":"A Pavlovic","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0342233.ref041","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"404","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2017.09.002","article-title":"Overweight, obesity, and screen-time viewing among Chinese school-aged children: National prevalence estimates from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China-The Youth Study","volume":"6","author":"Y Cai","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Sport Health Sci"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0342233.ref042","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"458","DOI":"10.1007\/s11606-018-4738-6","article-title":"Practical Guidance for Involving Stakeholders in Health Research","volume":"34","author":"TW Concannon","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Gen Intern Med"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0342233.ref043","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1717","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19031717","article-title":"Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity and FMS in Children Living in Deprived Areas in the UK: Qualitative Study","volume":"19","author":"ELJ Eyre","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0342233.ref044","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"867","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18030867","article-title":"Strategies for Teachers to Promote Physical Activity in Early Childhood Education Settings-A Scoping Review","volume":"18","author":"TCT Mak","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0342233.ref045","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"179","DOI":"10.1016\/0749-5978(91)90020-T","article-title":"The theory of planned behavior","volume":"50","author":"I Ajzen","year":"1991","journal-title":"Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0342233.ref046","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"288","DOI":"10.1080\/02701367.2004.10609161","article-title":"Self-efficacy theory and the theory of planned behavior: teaching physically active physical education classes","volume":"75","author":"JJ Martin","year":"2004","journal-title":"Res Q Exerc Sport"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0342233.ref047","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"255","DOI":"10.1123\/jtpe.28.3.255","article-title":"The Theory of Planned Behavior: Predicting Teachers\u2019 Intentions and Behavior during Fitness Testing","volume":"28","author":"ADS Stanec","year":"2009","journal-title":"Journal of Teaching in Physical Education"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref048","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.1080\/13603116.2012.757811","article-title":"Inclusive education: teachers\u2019 intentions and behaviour analysed from the viewpoint of the theory of planned behaviour","volume":"18","author":"Z Yan","year":"2013","journal-title":"International Journal of Inclusive Education"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref049","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1186\/1479-5868-10-68","article-title":"Social support from teachers mediates physical activity behavior change in children participating in the Fit-4-Fun intervention","volume":"10","author":"N Eather","year":"2013","journal-title":"Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref050","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1186\/s12966-021-01221-9","article-title":"Behaviours that prompt primary school teachers to adopt and implement physically active learning: A meta synthesis of qualitative evidence","volume":"18","author":"A Daly-Smith","year":"2021","journal-title":"International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0342233.ref051","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"135","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-016-0561-6","article-title":"Characteristics of Teacher Training in School-Based Physical Education Interventions to Improve Fundamental Movement Skills and\/or Physical Activity: A Systematic Review","volume":"47","author":"N Lander","year":"2017","journal-title":"Sports Med"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0342233.ref052","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"722","DOI":"10.1007\/s11121-020-01191-7","article-title":"Examining the Effects of a Brief, Group-Based Motivational Implementation Strategy on Mechanisms of Teacher Behavior Change","volume":"22","author":"M Larson","year":"2021","journal-title":"Prev Sci"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0342233.ref053","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"442","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amepre.2011.06.036","article-title":"Neighborhood environment and physical activity among youth a review","volume":"41","author":"D Ding","year":"2011","journal-title":"Am J Prev Med"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0342233.ref054","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"385","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsams.2019.10.017","article-title":"Sport participation, physical activity and sedentary behavior in the transition from middle school to high school","volume":"23","author":"ER Shull","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Sci Med Sport"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0342233.ref055","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"329","DOI":"10.1080\/02701367.2015.1091712","article-title":"Optimizing the Role of Physical Education in Promoting Physical Activity: A Social-Ecological Approach","volume":"86","author":"MA Solmon","year":"2015","journal-title":"Res Q Exerc Sport"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0342233.ref056","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"255","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2020.09.010","article-title":"A critical review of national physical activity policies relating to children and young people in England","volume":"10","author":"A Chalkley","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Sport Health Sci"},{"issue":"5","key":"pone.0342233.ref057","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"559","DOI":"10.1080\/17408989.2014.962017","article-title":"Working through whiteness, race and (anti) racism in physical education teacher education","volume":"20","author":"A Flintoff","year":"2014","journal-title":"Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0342233.ref058","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"99","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychsport.2011.10.003","article-title":"The relative roles of physical education teachers and parents in adolescents\u2019 leisure-time physical activity motivation and behavior","volume":"13","author":"L McDavid","year":"2012","journal-title":"Psychology of Sport and Exercise"},{"key":"pone.0342233.ref059","unstructured":"Department For Education. School Workforce in England, Reporting Year 2022. 2023. https:\/\/explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk\/find-statistics\/school-workforce-in-england"}],"container-title":["PLOS One"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0342233","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]],"date-time":"2026-02-05T18:32:11Z","timestamp":1770316331000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0342233"}},"subtitle":[],"editor":[{"given":"Georgian","family":"Badicu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"editor","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]]},"references-count":59,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0342233","relation":{},"ISSN":["1932-6203"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1932-6203","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]]}}}