Abstract des Autors

Background: This study aims to explore exercise therapists’perspectives on the topic of physical activity promotion(PAP) with a focus on identifying (i) the intervention content and methodological approaches used for promotingphysical activity (PA) in daily practice and (ii) the barriers and facilitators that affect PAP.Methods:This qualitative study comprised the heads of exercise therapy departments (n= 58; 41% women; meanage = 45 years) from different rehabilitation clinics in Germany. Each participant took part in a semi-structured focus-group discussion on PAP in exercise therapy. The findings of the focus groups were processed and interpretedusing a conventional qualitative content analysis.Results:The exercise therapists demonstrated detailed didactic–methodological strategies and action orientationsfor PAP. The identified core topics of the content and methods of PAP were (1) conceptualization, (2) exercise andPA for enjoyment and pleasure, (3) education with practice–theory combinations, (4) media and materials for self-directed training, and (5) strategies to enhance personal responsibility and independence. The core topics for theassociated barriers and facilitators were (1) structural conditions, (2) the role of exercise therapists, (3) theinterdisciplinary rehabilitation team, (4) rehabilitant experiences and expectations, and (5) aftercare services.Conclusion:The topic of PAP is addressed with a high level of variability; exercise therapists involved in this studyidentify various methods and content for the promotion of PA within their individual practices. However, theydisplay a limited awareness of existing evidence- and theory-based concepts for the promotion of PA as well asunderlying theories of behavioural change. This variability may be due to the lack of a defined common frameworkfor promoting PA, insufficient emphasis being placed on PA promotion in the current curricula and training, orextensive conceptual differences within German exercise therapy departments (e.g. different weighting of PAP).