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The implementation and refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health and sport

Amie Richards Orcid Logo, Melitta McNarry Orcid Logo, Catherine A. Sharp, James Shelley, Rachel Knight, Kelly Mackintosh Orcid Logo

BMC Public Health, Volume: 26, Issue: 1, Start page: 1313

Swansea University Authors: Amie Richards Orcid Logo, Melitta McNarry Orcid Logo, Rachel Knight, Kelly Mackintosh Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1186/s12889-026-26524-z

Abstract

Background: Recognition of the importance and value of collaboration and involving stakeholders throughout the research process has given rise to the establishment of the Welsh Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS). Globally, formal collaborations between researchers and stakeho...

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Published in: BMC Public Health
ISSN: 1471-2458
Published: Springer Nature 2026
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71362
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Globally, formal collaborations between researchers and stakeholders to complete research projects, remains insufficient. Therefore, the primary aim of WIPAHS is to engage in long-term, forward-thinking collaborations that address practice-informed research questions, to disseminate findings widely, and translate them into practice and policy. This study explored the implementation and subsequent refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health, and sport. Methods: Through a qualitative exploratory design, thirteen, individual, semi-structured, online interviews were conducted with academic members of the WIPAHS Research Steering Group. The data were thematically analysed by the research team to identify themes and subsequently used to formulate a set of Principles of Working. Results: Fifteen sub-themes were generated which led to eight Principles of Working emphasising national unity and the commitment to working collaboratively across all of Wales, UK, for the benefit of Wales. The role of collaboration in amplifying real-world impact was particularly highlighted; collaborative efforts between academics and stakeholders, underpinned by a clear structure and equal opportunities, were believed to facilitate a reduction in research duplication and optimal efficiency. Conclusion: Formalising the developmental process and the resulting Principles of Working provides a replicable blueprint for other academics to consider creating similar national institutes. 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spelling 2026-04-24T10:32:52.1430010 v2 71362 2026-02-02 The implementation and refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health and sport 3ef2b4a7a697e3d98ad63e842e9c45cb 0000-0003-1634-656X Amie Richards Amie Richards true false 062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398 0000-0003-0813-7477 Melitta McNarry Melitta McNarry true false c9c8a7cb0a508f8a063162f751323097 Rachel Knight Rachel Knight true false bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214 0000-0003-0355-6357 Kelly Mackintosh Kelly Mackintosh true false 2026-02-02 EAAS Background: Recognition of the importance and value of collaboration and involving stakeholders throughout the research process has given rise to the establishment of the Welsh Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS). Globally, formal collaborations between researchers and stakeholders to complete research projects, remains insufficient. Therefore, the primary aim of WIPAHS is to engage in long-term, forward-thinking collaborations that address practice-informed research questions, to disseminate findings widely, and translate them into practice and policy. This study explored the implementation and subsequent refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health, and sport. Methods: Through a qualitative exploratory design, thirteen, individual, semi-structured, online interviews were conducted with academic members of the WIPAHS Research Steering Group. The data were thematically analysed by the research team to identify themes and subsequently used to formulate a set of Principles of Working. Results: Fifteen sub-themes were generated which led to eight Principles of Working emphasising national unity and the commitment to working collaboratively across all of Wales, UK, for the benefit of Wales. The role of collaboration in amplifying real-world impact was particularly highlighted; collaborative efforts between academics and stakeholders, underpinned by a clear structure and equal opportunities, were believed to facilitate a reduction in research duplication and optimal efficiency. Conclusion: Formalising the developmental process and the resulting Principles of Working provides a replicable blueprint for other academics to consider creating similar national institutes. This approach enables co-ordinated, systems-wide efforts to promote and advance health-enhancing physical activity and sport, offering a model for others seeking a comprehensive approach to achieve these goals. Journal Article BMC Public Health 26 1 1313 Springer Nature 1471-2458 Co-development; Translational; Policy; Practice; Nationwide; Whole-systems 1 12 2026 2026-12-01 10.1186/s12889-026-26524-z COLLEGE NANME Engineering and Applied Sciences School COLLEGE CODE EAAS Swansea University External research funder(s) paid the OA fee (includes OA grants disbursed by the Library) Sport Wales; WHO 2026-04-24T10:32:52.1430010 2026-02-02T12:08:25.9369424 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences Amie Richards 0000-0003-1634-656X 1 Melitta McNarry 0000-0003-0813-7477 2 Catherine A. Sharp 3 James Shelley 4 Rachel Knight 5 Kelly Mackintosh 0000-0003-0355-6357 6 71362__36580__c8aa052bfbbb4165891d4f210d5aaa90.pdf 71362.VOR.pdf 2026-04-24T10:27:57.0086868 Output 842342 application/pdf Version of Record true © The Author(s) 2026. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title The implementation and refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health and sport
spellingShingle The implementation and refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health and sport
Amie Richards
Melitta McNarry
Rachel Knight
Kelly Mackintosh
title_short The implementation and refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health and sport
title_full The implementation and refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health and sport
title_fullStr The implementation and refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health and sport
title_full_unstemmed The implementation and refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health and sport
title_sort The implementation and refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health and sport
author_id_str_mv 3ef2b4a7a697e3d98ad63e842e9c45cb
062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398
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bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214
author_id_fullname_str_mv 3ef2b4a7a697e3d98ad63e842e9c45cb_***_Amie Richards
062f5697ff59f004bc8c713955988398_***_Melitta McNarry
c9c8a7cb0a508f8a063162f751323097_***_Rachel Knight
bdb20e3f31bcccf95c7bc116070c4214_***_Kelly Mackintosh
author Amie Richards
Melitta McNarry
Rachel Knight
Kelly Mackintosh
author2 Amie Richards
Melitta McNarry
Catherine A. Sharp
James Shelley
Rachel Knight
Kelly Mackintosh
format Journal article
container_title BMC Public Health
container_volume 26
container_issue 1
container_start_page 1313
publishDate 2026
institution Swansea University
issn 1471-2458
doi_str_mv 10.1186/s12889-026-26524-z
publisher Springer Nature
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
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hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Sport and Exercise Sciences
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description Background: Recognition of the importance and value of collaboration and involving stakeholders throughout the research process has given rise to the establishment of the Welsh Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS). Globally, formal collaborations between researchers and stakeholders to complete research projects, remains insufficient. Therefore, the primary aim of WIPAHS is to engage in long-term, forward-thinking collaborations that address practice-informed research questions, to disseminate findings widely, and translate them into practice and policy. This study explored the implementation and subsequent refinement of a national institute for physical activity, health, and sport. Methods: Through a qualitative exploratory design, thirteen, individual, semi-structured, online interviews were conducted with academic members of the WIPAHS Research Steering Group. The data were thematically analysed by the research team to identify themes and subsequently used to formulate a set of Principles of Working. Results: Fifteen sub-themes were generated which led to eight Principles of Working emphasising national unity and the commitment to working collaboratively across all of Wales, UK, for the benefit of Wales. The role of collaboration in amplifying real-world impact was particularly highlighted; collaborative efforts between academics and stakeholders, underpinned by a clear structure and equal opportunities, were believed to facilitate a reduction in research duplication and optimal efficiency. Conclusion: Formalising the developmental process and the resulting Principles of Working provides a replicable blueprint for other academics to consider creating similar national institutes. This approach enables co-ordinated, systems-wide efforts to promote and advance health-enhancing physical activity and sport, offering a model for others seeking a comprehensive approach to achieve these goals.
published_date 2026-12-01T07:55:50Z
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