Thesis
Students’ experiences of the Strathclyde Sports STAR scholarship intervention
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2025
- Thesis identifier
- T17490
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 202362582
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- 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.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Hughes, Adrienne
- Muirhead, Fiona
- Resource Type
- DOI
- Date Created
- 2019
- Funder
- Embargo Note
Relations
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File | 2025-10-22 | University of Strathclyde |