I-PAP50 (version 0.1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
I-PAP50: Developing an Intervention to increase Physical Activity in Prison for people age 50+ using a co-design approach.
IRAS ID
330390
Contact name
Cassandra Phoenix
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Durham University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 2 days
Research summary
Physical inactivity is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. It can also add to feelings of anxiety and depression. Physical inactivity increases in older age, especially within prison environments. This is important because the number of prisoners over age 50 is increasing, bringing significant challenges regarding how best to support their health and wellbeing. Facilitating regular physical activity (PA) can play a vital role, but evidence-based guidance on how to increase PA among the over 50s in prison is lacking. The purpose of this study is to develop an intervention aimed at increasing levels of PA among people age 50-80yrs in prison using a co-design approach.
Working across three establishments, focus groups will be held with people in prison age 50-80yrs to gain their perceptions of what helps and hinders participation in PA. Existing activity sessions involving the over 50s will also be observed. One-to-one interviews with prison staff will clarify what is, and could be, practical and feasible within a prison environment for improving levels of PA for this group. Findings will be considered in relation to the ISM (Individual, Social, Material) model of behaviour change. By understanding these different contexts and the multiple factors within them that influence the way people act every day, more effective policies and interventions can be developed.
These learnings will be used by an intervention co-design group involving prison staff, activity providers, people with lived experience, and academics to (i) identify strategies to help overcome barriers to PA, and maintain interest and engagement over time, (ii) co-design an intervention aimed at increasing PA among the over 50s in prison.
This intervention will be tested for feasibility in a follow-on study, for which a separate application for NRC approval and HRA ethical approval will be made.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EE/0122
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion