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Determining the Impact of Walk Kansas: Applying a Team-Building Approach to Community Physical Activity Promotion

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Research and practice partnerships have the potential to enhance the translation of research findings into practice.

Purpose

This paper describes such a partnership in the development of Walk Kansas (WK) and highlights individual and organizational level outcomes.

Method

Phase 1 examined: (a) the reach of WK, (b) physical activity changes, and (c) maintenance of physical activity changes 6 months after the program was completed. Phase 2 explored WK adoption and sustainability over 5 years.

Results

WK attracted a large number of participants who were more likely to be female, more active, and older than the adult population within the counties where they resided. Inactive or insufficiently active participants at baseline experienced significant increases in both moderate (p < 0.001) and vigorous (p < 0.001) physical activity. A random selection of participants who were assessed 6 months post-program did not demonstrate a significant decrease in moderate or vigorous activity between program completion and 6-month follow-up. The number of counties adopting the program increased across years, peaking at 97 in 2006 and demonstrated the sustainability of the WK over 5 years.

Conclusions

WK is effective, has a broad reach, and enables participants to maintain increased activity. It also shows promise for broad adoption and sustainability.

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Acknowledgment

We express our thanks and acknowledge the work of the participatory group of agents, community members, and other staff members who participated in the design, implementation, and continued delivery of Walk Kansas. In particular, we thank Sharolyn Flaming-Jackson for her excellent insight, generosity, leadership, and dedication to promote physical activity across Kansas. Also, we thank Elizabeth Wyrill for her enthusiasm and dedication. We also acknowledge research support from Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, & Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Paul A. Estabrooks Ph.D.

  2. School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA

    Michael Bradshaw Ph.D.

  3. Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA

    David A. Dzewaltowski Ph.D.

  4. Research and Extension Community Health Institute, Manhattan, KS, USA

    David A. Dzewaltowski Ph.D.

  5. Institute for Health Research & Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA

    Renae L. Smith-Ray M.A.

  6. VT Riverside, 1 Riverside Circle SW, Suite #104, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA

    Paul A. Estabrooks Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Paul A. Estabrooks Ph.D.
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  2. Michael Bradshaw Ph.D.
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  3. David A. Dzewaltowski Ph.D.
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  4. Renae L. Smith-Ray M.A.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul A. Estabrooks Ph.D..

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Estabrooks, P.A., Bradshaw, M., Dzewaltowski, D.A. et al. Determining the Impact of Walk Kansas: Applying a Team-Building Approach to Community Physical Activity Promotion. ann. behav. med. 36, 1–12 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9040-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9040-0

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