title: Factors related to leader implementation of a nationally disseminated community-based exercise program: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The benefits of community-based health programs are widely recognized. However, research examining factors related to community leaders' characteristics and roles in implementation is limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to use a social ecological framework of variables to explore and describe the relationships between socioeconomic, personal/behavioral, programmatic, leadership, and community-level social and demographic characteristics as they relate to the implementation of an evidence-based strength training program by community leaders. Eight-hundred fifty-four trained program leaders in 43 states were invited to participate in either an online or mail survey. Corresponding community-level characteristics were also collected. Programmatic details were obtained from those who implemented. Four-hundred eighty-seven program leaders responded to the survey (response rate = 57%), 78% online and 22% by mail.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 487 respondents, 270 implemented the program (55%). One or more factors from each category - professional, socioeconomic, personal/behavioral, and leadership characteristics - were significantly different between implementers and non-implementers, determined by chi square or student's t-tests as appropriate. Implementers reported higher levels of strength training participation, current and lifetime physical activity, perceived support, and leadership competence (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed a positive association between implementation and fitness credentials/certification (p = 0.003), program-specific self-efficacy (p = 0.002), and support-focused leadership (p = 0.006), and a negative association between implementation and educational attainment (p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among this sample of trained leaders, several factors within the professional, socioeconomic, personal/behavioral, and leadership categories were related to whether they implemented a community-based exercise program. It may benefit future community-based physical activity program disseminations to consider these factors when selecting and training leaders.
authors.affiliation: John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA. rebecca.seguin@tufts.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Seguin
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palombo
authors.forename: Christina D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Economos
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hyatt
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuder
authors.forename: Miriam E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nelson