Background: Research has highlighted that the transition period between high school and
university is a ‘risk period for weight gain and unfavourable changes in health behaviours.’
Furthermore, 57% of individuals living in the most deprived parts of Scotland are not reaching
the recommended physical activity guidelines.
Aim: There are three aims related to the current study. Firstly, identify participants’ barriers and
facilitators to physical activity prior to the Strathclyde Sports intervention. Secondly, explore
participants' perceptions of the Strathclyde Sports intervention. Finally, identify participants
barriers and facilitators to physical activity during the Strathclyde Sport intervention.
Methods: The current study incorporates an evaluation design to assess the usefulness of the
STAR Scholarship Strathclyde Sport intervention. Using qualitative research techniques in the
form of semi-structured interviews and conventional content analysis allowed insight into the
participants thoughts and experiences of the intervention. A total of five participants were
interviewed during the data collection phase. Additionally, 43 participants consented to having
their email responses collected and analysed. During recruitment financial incentive was used to
increase the number of interview participants. Participants were asked for consent to use email
responses towards the end of data collection to provide further depth to the aims of the study.
Results: There are two components to the results section. The first focuses on data collected
from participants' email responses. When focusing on the results regarding the aim of
participants’ perceptions of the benefits of physical activity, the following themes were
discovered. Firstly, mental health and wellbeing, four participants mentioned that physical
activity was a way for them to either relieve or manage stress. Secondly, physical health, nine
participants stated that physical activity would improve their physical health. Thirdly, social
experiences, four participants mentioned that being physically active will help them to meet new
people. Finally, routine and scheduling, three participants stated that being physically active
would help them to maintain/benefit their ‘work-life’ balance. The second component focuses on
data collected from interviews. When focusing on the aim of discussing facilitators to physical
activity, the following themes were highlighted. Firstly, increased physical activity adherence,
four participants stated that they were doing more physical activity than before the intervention.
Secondly, increased mental health/wellbeing, all participants answered that physical activity had
positively impacted their mental health. Thirdly, accessibility, three participants said they
benefited from the fitness consultations offered. Finally, continued physical activity, four
participants said they had considered continuing with physical activity into the next academic
year.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the Strathclyde Sport STAR scholarship intervention allowed some
barriers (for example, financial) to physical activity for students from a deprived background to
be addressed. The results of the current study indicates that the intervention does at least in part
aid in the health and well-being of those who participated.
| Date of Award | 24 Sept 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
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| Sponsors | University of Strathclyde |
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| Supervisor | Fiona Muirhead (Supervisor) & Adrienne Hughes (Supervisor) |
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