A framework for capturing active participation in structured physical activity across the lifespan in Sub-Saharan Africa

The lack of scientific evidence about specific mechanisms and influences as projectors of active living in impoverished sub-Saharan communities informed the premise of this research. This research aimed to identify the factors influencing active participation in structured physical activity (PA) (including sport) from a longitudinal retrospective perspective. A multi-dimensional model emerged, underpinned by a comprehensive and layered conceptual framework to capture and explain in a quantified way the influences that may inhibit or enable active participation in institutionalised PA over time. An exploratory research design and purposive match-pair inter-generational sampling allowed the integration of qualitative and quantitative data for triangulated deductive (verification) and inductive theme generation. Participants: Representing the youngest age cohort, school-going research participants (N=246) completed questionnaires, and 50 of these participants took part in focus group discussions at three schools. A comparative case study analysis for in-depth qualitative data was obtained through interviews with 12 men and 12 women from various age cohorts (16–74 years of age) in three communities in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Results: The results and main outcome of this study led to the development of a longitudinal framework. The proposed framework shows causality of social realities, individual choices, and opportunities for continuing to participate in structured PA within comparable contexts of poverty. Conclusions: The proposed framework provides a numerical account to triangulate qualitative expression over time (lifetime continuum). The proposed framework constitutes a novel way to integrate quantitative and qualitative data and reflect on processes within the context of chronic poverty.