10,000 Steps Rockhampton: Establishing a multi-strategy physical activity promotion project in a community

Abstract

Issues addressed: To describe the process of developing an innovative, multi-strategy community-based physical activity (PA) intervention project. Method: Project development utilised key informant discussions, a nominal group process and researcher and community discussions to identify the target community and to develop the proposed intervention and evaluation strategies. Results: Five strategies with a central coordinating theme of '10,000 steps a day' were identified as being 'best buys' for the promotion of PA in the selected community. They were: 1) a local media campaign; 2) promotion of PA through the general practice setting and other health services; 3) improving social support for PA among disadvantaged groups; 4) policy and environmental approaches; and 5) establishment of a fund to support small, community-led PA promotion initiatives. Conclusion: The development of multi-strategy, community-based health promotion projects based on evidence-based 'best buys', but with promotion of community ownership, can be a complex process. To our knowledge, the concurrent trialing of several interventions with an innovative core component focusing on pedometers and the 10,000 steps' PA recommendation has not previously been attempted in a community-based PA intervention. (author abstract)