Getting Ireland Walking: using systems approaches to strengthen local and national walking promotion in Ireland

Power, Dylan (2023) Getting Ireland Walking: using systems approaches to strengthen local and national walking promotion in Ireland. Doctoral thesis, SETU Waterford.

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Abstract

Physical inactivity levels remain high relative to research effort and output. An oversimplification of the approaches taken to address the complex problem of physical inactivity has been suggested to play a part in this discrepancy. To this end, multidisciplinary approaches equipped with tools and methods underpinned by systems thinking, or systems approaches, have been called for in physical activity research and practice. However, more evidence is needed which highlights the utility (or lack thereof) of systems approaches for organisations working in real-world physical activity systems. This thesis contributes new knowledge to the field of physical activity research, by highlighting real-world examples of how systems approaches were used to augment the work of Ireland’s national walking promotion organisation. In four research studies, this thesis presents how systems approaches were used to understand and enhance the work of Ireland’s national walking promotion organisation, Get Ireland Walking. In Chapter 3, a conceptual mapping exercise which investigates the multifaceted contributions of the work of Get Ireland Walking to national and global targets is presented. In Chapter 4, an evaluation of the multidisciplinary partnership network of Get Ireland Walking using a cross-sectional questionnaire and social network analysis methods is presented. Chapter 5 outlines how developing a systems map for walking was used to initiate a systems approach to walking in one local area in Ireland. Finally, in Chapter 6, a list of potential data sources and indicators which could be used to monitor the multifaceted impacts of a systems approach to walking in Ireland is presented. A case study of the use of a selection of identified data sources to describe walking behaviour is presented as part of this chapter. Accompanying each research study is a reflective account from the author, who was an embedded researcher within Get Ireland Walking throughout the course of this work. For the intended purposes of this work, the application of systems approaches proved useful for the work of Get Ireland Walking. The work of this PhD thesis provides insight into the nexus of policies and organisations which are part of the walking system in Ireland. The work of this thesis also has led to a restructuring of the framework used to guide the work of Get Ireland Walking at local and national level, to one which places a systems approach at its core. Furthermore, an example of how systems approaches can be leveraged to initiate cross-sectoral collaboration for local level walking systems is also provided. However, systems approaches may not be a panacea to all problems in the field of physical activity promotion and research. They must be accompanied by regular adaptation to context, flexibility in research designs and funding mechanisms, and supported by human and financial resources.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Walking, Exercise
Departments or Groups:	*NONE OF THESE*
Divisions:	School of Health Sciences > Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Studies
Depositing User:	Derek Langford
Date Deposited:	26 Sep 2023 14:35
Last Modified:	26 Sep 2023 14:35
URI:	https://repository.wit.ie/id/eprint/7739

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