Using a Community Workgroup Approach to Increase Access to Physical Activity in an Underresourced Urban Community

Abstract

Background. Regular physical activity is associated with improved physical and psychosocial well-being. Increasing access to physical activity in underresourced communities requires collaborative, community-engaged methods. One such method is community workgroups. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to describe implementation, strengths, challenges, and results of the workgroup approach as applied to increasing access to physical activity, using our recent study as an illustrative example. Method. A 1-day conference was held in April 2017 for community leaders. The first half of the conference focused on disseminating results of a multifaceted community assessment. The second half entailed community workgroups. Workgroups focused on applying community assessment results to develop strategies for increasing access to physical activity, with plans for ongoing workgroup involvement for strategy refinement and implementation. A professional artist documented the workgroup process and recommendations via graphic recording. Results. Sixty-three community leaders attended the conference and participated in the workgroups. Workgroup participants reported that greater macrosystem collaboration was critical for sustainability of physical activity programming and that, particularly in underresourced urban communities, re-imagining existing spaces (rather than building new spaces) may be a promising strategy for increasing access to physical activity. Discussion. Considered collectively, the community workgroup approach provided unique insight and rich data around increasing access to physical activity. It also facilitated stakeholder engagement with and ownership of community health goals. With careful implementation that includes attention to strengths, challenges, and planning for long-term follow-up, the community workgroup approach can be used to develop health promotion strategies in underresourced communities.

Keywords: health promotion; physical activity/exercise; social determinants of health.

FIGURE 1. The Community/Indoor Spaces Workgroup

This workgroup identified three strategies for increasing physical activity in community/indoor spaces: increasing community’s engagement in the space and activities, re-envisioning use of existing indoor spaces for physical activity, and developing partner capacity and sustained leadership with community organizations focused on physical activity.

FIGURE 2. The Green/Outdoor Spaces Workgroup

This workgroup identified three strategies for increasing physical activity in outdoor/green spaces: increasing safety including both improving physical infrastructure and decreasing crime/violence, creating shared use agreements with organizations hosting green/outdoor space related to access, and cultivating champions for physical activity who hold positions of both formal and informal power.

FIGURE 3. The Before, During, and After School Workgroup

This workgroup identified three strategies for increasing physical activity in the school setting: providing physical activity resources that align with quality education, developing a policy that uses physical activity to enhance school climate and wellness, and maximizing the use of school space and out-of-school time to create a culture of physical activity.