title: Active children through incentive vouchers - evaluation (ACTIVE): a mixed-method feasibility study.
abstract: Adolescents face many barriers to physical activity, demonstrated by the decline in physical activity levels in teenage populations. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of overcoming such barriers via the implementation of an activity-promoting voucher scheme to teenagers in deprived areas.
  
  
  
  All Year 9 pupils (n = 115; 13.3 ± 0.48 years; 51 % boys) from one secondary school in Wales (UK) participated. Participants received £25 of activity vouchers every month for six months for physical activity or sporting equipment. Focus groups (n = 7), with 43 pupils, and qualitative interviews with teachers (n = 2) were conducted to assess feasibility, in addition to a process evaluation utilising the RE-AIM framework. Quantitative outcomes at baseline, five months (during intervention) and twelve months (follow-up) included: physical activity (accelerometer), aerobic fitness (12 min Cooper run) and self-reported activity (PAQ-A). Motivation to exercise (BREQ-2) was measured three months post-baseline and at follow-up.
  
  
  
  Qualitative findings showed that vouchers encouraged friends to socialise through activity, provided opportunities to access local activities that pupils normally could not afford, and engaged both those interested and disinterested in physical education. Improvements in weekend moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and reductions in sedentary behaviour were observed in both sexes. Boys' fitness significantly improved during the voucher scheme. 'Non-active' pupils (those not meeting recommended guidelines of 60 mins∙day(-1)) and those with higher motivation to exercise had higher voucher use.
  
  
  
  Adolescents, teachers and activity providers supported the voucher scheme and felt the vouchers enabled deprived adolescents to access more physical activity opportunities. Voucher usage was associated with improved attitudes to physical activity, increased socialisation with friends and improved fitness and physical activity; presenting interesting avenues for further exploration in a larger intervention trial.
authors: Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK. d.l.christian@swansea.ac.uk.
authors: Danielle
authors: 0000-0003-1117-6127
authors: D
authors: Christian
authors: Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Todd
authors: Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Hill
authors: College of Health and Human Science, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.
authors: Jaynie
authors: J
authors: Rance
authors: College of Engineering, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, SA1 8EN, UK.
authors: Kelly
authors: K
authors: Mackintosh
authors: College of Engineering, Bay Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, SA1 8EN, UK.
authors: Gareth
authors: G
authors: Stratton
authors: Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.
authors: Sinead
authors: S
authors: Brophy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011203:Poverty; D012574:Schools; D013177:Sports; D019876:Sports Equipment; D014186:Transportation; D014852:Wales
keywords: Accelerometer; Adolescent; Deprived; Mixed methods; Physical activity; Teenager; Voucher