title: An Evaluability Assessment of the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan, 2015: Lessons Learned for Other State Physical Activity Plans.
abstract: The US National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) was released in 2009 as a national strategic plan to increase physical activity (PA). The NPAP emphasized implementing state and local PA programs. Dissemination of information about NPAP has been limited, however.
  
  
  
  West Virginia is a predominantly rural state with high rates of chronic diseases associated with physical inactivity. In 2015 an evaluability assessment (EA) of the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan (WVPAP) was conducted, and community stakeholders were invited to participate in updating the plan.
  
  
  
  A good EA seeks stakeholder input, assists in identifying program areas that need improvement, and ensures that a full evaluation will produce useful information. Data for this EA were collected via national stakeholder interviews, document reviews, discussions among workgroups consisting of state and local stakeholders, and surveys to determine how well the WVPAP had been implemented.
  
  
  
  The EA highlighted the need for WVPAP leaders to 1) establish a specific entity to implement local PA plans, 2) create sector-specific logic models to simplify the WVPAP for local stakeholders, 3) evaluate the PA plan's implementation frequently from the outset, 4) use quick and efficient engagement techniques with stakeholders when working with them to select strategies, tactics, and measurable outcomes, and 5) understand the elements necessary to implement, manage, and evaluate a good PA plan.
  
  
  
  An EA process is recommended for other leaders of PA plans. Our project highlights the stakeholders' desire to simplify the WVPAP so that it can be set up as a locally driven process that engages communities in implementation.
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University, School of Public Health, PO Box 9190, 1 Medical Center Dr, Morgantown, WV 26506-9190. Email: cgabildso@hsc.wvu.edu.
authors.forename: Christiaan G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Abildso
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shawley
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bulger
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University Department of Orthopaedics and Division of Physical Therapy, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Dina L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Emily M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University Extension Service, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, Department of Animal and Nutritional Science, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Melissa D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Olfert
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Eloise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D015444:Exercise; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D016730:Program Development; D014903:West Virginia