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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

Using the R = MC2 heuristic to understand barriers to and facilitators of implementing school-based physical activity opportunities: a qualitative study

Authors: Derek W. Craig, Timothy J. Walker, Paula Cuccaro, Shreela V. Sharma, Natalia I. Heredia, Michael C. Robertson, Maria E. Fernandez

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Schools are a key setting for supporting youth physical activity, given their broad reach and diverse student populations. Organizational readiness is a precursor to the successful implementation of school-based physical activity opportunities. The R = MC2 heuristic (Readiness = Motivation x Innovation-Specific Capacity x General Capacity) describes readiness as a function of an organization’s motivation and capacity to implement an innovation and can be applied to better understand the implementation process. The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers to and facilitators of implementing school-based physical activity opportunities in the context of organizational readiness.

Methods

We analyzed interview data from 15 elementary school staff (principals, assistant principals, physical education teachers, and classroom teachers) from a school district in Texas. We focused on factors related to adopting, implementing, and sustaining a variety of school-based physical activity opportunities. We used the Framework Method to guide the analysis and coded data using deductive (informed by the R = MC2 heuristic) and inductive approaches. Themes were generated using the frequency, depth, and richness of participant responses.

Results

Four themes emerged from the data: (1) implementation is aided by the presence of internal and external relationships; (2) physical activity opportunities compete with other school priorities; (3) seeing the benefits of physical activity opportunities motivates school staff toward implementation; and (4) staff buy-in is critical to the implementation process. Themes 1–3 aligned with subcomponents of the R = MC2 heuristic (intra- and inter-organizational relationships, priority, and observability), whereas Theme 4 (staff buy-in) related to multiple subcomponents within the Motivation component but was ultimately viewed as a distinct construct.

Conclusion

Our results highlight and explain how key readiness constructs impact the implementation of school-based physical activity opportunities. They also highlight the importance of obtaining staff buy-in when implementing in the school setting. This information is critical to developing readiness-building strategies that help schools improve their capacity to deliver physical activity opportunities effectively.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Using the R = MC2 heuristic to understand barriers to and facilitators of implementing school-based physical activity opportunities: a qualitative study
Authors
Derek W. Craig
Timothy J. Walker
Paula Cuccaro
Shreela V. Sharma
Natalia I. Heredia
Michael C. Robertson
Maria E. Fernandez
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17744-2

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