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Table 7 Issues for recruitment and retention from Components 1, 2 and 3

From: Why some do but most don't. Barriers and enablers to engaging low-income groups in physical activity programmes: a mixed methods study

Issues affecting recruitment and retention

Potential solutions stated by participants or implied by findings

Potential challenges relating to solutions

Cost

Low cost/free sessions

Unsustainability. May mask other barriers

Childcare

Low cost, accessible childcare

Unsustainability. May mask other barriers

Low confidence

Use of friends/contacts as support. Recruit via pre-existing group, venue or target friendship groups

Difficult to reach more isolated individuals

Low perceived competence

Provide clearly branded beginners session

Participants will become more competent - may disincentivise those who join later

Lack of time

Accessible sessions at times to suit the target group

May require provision of activities at a wide range of times

Enjoyment

Consumer research into, and provision of, preferred activities

May require provision of wide variety of activities

 

Focus on those associated with enjoyment and sociability

 

Session awareness

Investment in good communications strategies

Up front and on-going investment, expertise and commitment required

Initial health and weight related motivations

Initial recruitment to include appeals to these motivations, sessions to deliver enjoyment and sociability to aid retention

On-going challenge to maintain enjoyment as initial enthusiasm declines - and across a mixed ability group

Targeted interventions

Research and Segmentation. Low income groups are not amorphous - an understanding of key sub groups is required to underpin effective interventions

Time consuming and expensive