Behaviour Change Techniques, Barriers and Facilitators for Promoting Self-managed Physical Activity in Australian Defence Force Veterans: A Mixed-methods Study

Objectives:
Australian Defence Force veterans find self-management of health challenging, and little is known about best-practice approaches for promoting self-managed physical activity in this population. This study assessed the strategies used by health professionals to support veteran patients to self-manage their physical activity regimes and their perceptions concerning the barriers and facilitators that impact veterans’ transition from supervised to self-managed physical activity.

Methods:
Australian physiotherapists (n=37) and exercise physiologists (n=27) completed an online survey about the behaviour change techniques they use to promote self-managed physical activity, and the barriers and facilitators to self-management for veteran patients. Five practitioners participated in a follow-up interview exploring implementation and practice issues.

Results:
Education and goal setting were the behaviour change techniques used most frequently by health professionals to promote self-managed physical activity (>90% ‘always’ or ‘most of the time’). The most critical facilitators of patient engagement in self-managed physical activity were social support and patient confidence to self-manage. At the same time, chronic health conditions and a lack of interest in self-managing were the most significant barriers. Interview data identified the need for more education for health professionals concerning the use of behaviour change techniques to support veteran patients’ transition to self-managed physical activity.

Conclusion:
This research identified key factors that can be targeted and strategies health professionals can use to promote self-managed physical activity with veteran patients. Findings offer practical recommendations for improving veterans’ transition from supervised to self-managed physical activity.