Sporting programs for inactive population groups: factors influencing their long-term sustainability in the organized sports setting

Abstract

Background The organized sports sector has received increased interest as a setting to stimulate physical activity among inactive target groups. To reach many inactive people and to obtain population health benefits, it is important that effective sporting programs are sustained over a long period of time. This study identified the factors influencing the long-term sustainability of these kind of sporting programs located within local sports clubs. Methods Fourteen sporting programs in the Netherlands aimed at increasing physical activity levels of inactive population groups and funded within the National Action Plan for Sport and Exercise (NAPSE) were the focus of this study. The programs were developed by ten National Sports Federations (NSFs) and implemented by different sports clubs in the Netherlands within a three-year funded implementation period (2008-2011). This research consisted of face-to-face interviews with the program coordinators of the NSFs (n=14) and telephone interviews with representatives of sports clubs that provided the programs (n=17 continued the program, n=11 discontinued the program) six and a half years after the funding period ended (November 2017-March 2018). A sustainability framework with five pre-specified main themes (i.e. program design, implementation, trainer/coach, organizational setting, broader community environment) guided data collection and (deductive) thematic analysis. Results Ten of the fourteen NAPSE funded sporting programs were sustained at the level of the NSFs. Most factors facilitating (+) and impeding (-) the long-term sustainability of the programs were mentioned by both NSFs and sports clubs, like program adaptation (+) and a lack of program financing (-). Program evaluation (+) and high program costs (-) were examples of factors that were more important to NSFs, while factors related to human resources (e.g. lack of volunteers (-)) or the sports club nature (e.g. social aspect in program design (+)) were more important to sports clubs. The factors were summarized in the form of a checklist. Conclusions This study adds to the knowledge base concerning the long-term sustainability of sporting programs aimed at inactive people in the organized sport setting. The results can be used to develop strategies to promote long-term sustainability of these kind of programs and inform funding guidelines.