Objective: This paper explores the experiences of individuals who reported substantially decreasing physical activity (PA) as a result of COVID‐19 and sought coaching support to increase PA. Methods: A qualitative study using phenomenological analysis. Eight individuals participated in semi‐structured interviews that focused on their experiences of decreasing PA as a result of physical distancing measures, and why they sought PA coaching to overcome these issues. Responses were analysed thematically. Results: The participants reported markedly decreasing their PA following the enactment of physical distancing measures. The inability to subsequently engage in regular PA was a source of frustration for participants. Interview analysis revealed two themes that contributed to the understanding of why these individuals felt they needed PA coaching to increase PA; namely, a desire for both listening support and PA self‐regulation support. Conclusion: The individuals who decreased PA due to COVID‐19 desired an autonomy‐supportive counselling style, centred on listening support and self‐regulatory support. Online PA interventions were not highlighted as strategies to overcome PA barriers. Implications for public health: The effect of physical distancing measures on the determinants of overall PA is important, particularly if prolonged physical distancing is required.

ObjectiveBehaviour change interventions targeting changes in physical activity (PA) can benefit by examining the underlying mechanisms that promote change. This study explored the use of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to code and contextualise the experiences of participants who completed a PA coaching intervention underpinned by motivational interviewing and cognitive–behavioural therapy.DesignSemistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of participants.SettingInterviews were conducted in a tertiary hospital in regional Victoria, Australia.ParticipantsEighteen participants who completed a PA coaching intervention were interviewed. The participants were recruited into the coaching intervention because they were insufficiently physically active at the time of recruitment.ResultsThirteen (72%) participants were women and the average age of participants was 54 (±5) years. Four participant themes mapped directly onto five components of the COM-B model, and ten of the TDF domains. Increases in PA were influenced by changes in motivation and psychological capability. The autonomy-supportive PA coaching intervention helped to evoke participants’ own reasons (and motives) for change and influenced PA behaviours. Participants reflected on their own social and/or professional strengths, and used these skills to set appropriate PA goals and action plans. The structure of the PA coaching intervention provided clarity on session determinants and a framework from which to set an appropriate agenda. Relational components (eg, non-judgemental listening, collaboration) were continually highlighted as influential for change, and should be considered in future behaviour change intervention design.ConclusionsWe demonstrate the beneficial effect of using theory-informed behaviour change techniques, and delivering them in a style that promotes autonomy and relatedness. The views of participants should be a key consideration in the design and implementation of PA coaching interventionsTrial registration numberACTRN12619000036112. Post-results analysis.

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BackgroundHospital clinicians are increasingly encouraged to use outpatient consultations as an avenue to deliver opportunistic health promotion. There is a dearth of evidence regarding the acceptance of health promotion initiatives from hospital patients themselves.MethodsWe explored the experiences of non-admitted patients who, during a routine consultation with a hospital surgeon received a recommendation to increase physical activity (PA) and a recommendation to engage in a PA telephone coaching program. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who had received the recommendation and proceeded to enroll in a telephone coaching intervention to identify factors that influenced behavior change. Data were analyzed thematically.ResultsParticipants' age ranged between 42 and 66 years, with the average age being 54 years. Of the participants, 15 (68%) were women and 7 (32%) were men. Three major themes were identified: (1) the hospital visit represented an opportunity for behavior change that is not to be missed; (2) surgeons were influential in promoting PA change contemplation; and (3) patients welcomed a communication style that promoted autonomy.ConclusionsAlmost all patients considered receiving the recommendation to engage with the telephone coaching as acceptable and helpful toward PA change. Although working in time-restricted consultations, surgeons delivered the recommendation in a patient-centered, autonomy-supportive way, which influenced behavior change. Hospitals should explore avenues to integrate health promotion into routine care, confident of the acceptability and appropriateness of health promotion practice to hospital patients.