Determining the impact of Walk Kansas: applying a team-building approach to community physical activity promotion.
BACKGROUND
Research and practice partnerships have the potential to enhance the translation of research findings into practice.


OBJECTIVE
This paper describes such a partnership in the development of Walk Kansas (WK) and highlights individual and organizational level outcomes.


METHODS
Phase 1 examined: (a) the reach of WK, (b) physical activity changes, and (c) maintenance of physical activity changes 6 months after the program was completed. Phase 2 explored WK adoption and sustainability over 5 years.


RESULTS
WK attracted a large number of participants who were more likely to be female, more active, and older than the adult population within the counties where they resided. Inactive or insufficiently active participants at baseline experienced significant increases in both moderate (p < 0.001) and vigorous (p < 0.001) physical activity. A random selection of participants who were assessed 6 months post-program did not demonstrate a significant decrease in moderate or vigorous activity between program completion and 6-month follow-up. The number of counties adopting the program increased across years, peaking at 97 in 2006 and demonstrated the sustainability of the WK over 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
WK is effective, has a broad reach, and enables participants to maintain increased activity. It also shows promise for broad adoption and sustainability.
Estabrooks
Paul A
PA
Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, & Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA. estabrkp@vt.edu
Bradshaw
Michael
M
Dzewaltowski
David A
DA
Smith-Ray
Renae L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult