TY - CONF

T1 - Influencing Factors of Active Commuting in UK Working Adults: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review Protocol

AU - Banks, Jordan

AU - Swainson, Michelle

AU - Scott, James

AU - Morris, Abigail

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Background Active commuting (AC) has a range of health, environmental, economic and societal co-benefits. In the UK, 68% of adults commute by car, however, some of these trips could be feasibly swapped with AC. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of AC can aid the development of appropriate AC interventions. However, there are no systematic reviews that investigate the factors that influence AC in UK adults. This systematic review will synthesise the available academic evidence of the influencing factors of AC in the UK, contextualised using the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation (COM-B) model for behaviour change. Methods A mixed-methods convergent integrated systematic review will be conducted to combine both quantitative and qualitative data which will ensure all available evidence will be included when answering the review question. Twenty-six studies that included data on the influencing factors of AC in UK adults were identified through searches of five databases. Quantitative and qualitative data will be integrated using thematic synthesis and systematically mapped onto the COM-B model.ResultsPreliminary results found that in terms of the COM-B model, barriers were related to “physical opportunity” (e.g. poor infrastructure and traffic concerns) and “reflective motivation” (e.g. safety, time, distance and social norms). Facilitators were focused on “physical opportunity” (e.g. improved infrastructure) and “reflective motivation” (e.g. convenience, pleasantness, cost-effectiveness and health). DiscussionIdentifying modifiable and non-modifiable barriers and facilitators through a behavioural science lens may allow the development of targeted and theoretically informed approaches, which may encourage an increase in AC uptake in UK working adults.

AB - Background Active commuting (AC) has a range of health, environmental, economic and societal co-benefits. In the UK, 68% of adults commute by car, however, some of these trips could be feasibly swapped with AC. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of AC can aid the development of appropriate AC interventions. However, there are no systematic reviews that investigate the factors that influence AC in UK adults. This systematic review will synthesise the available academic evidence of the influencing factors of AC in the UK, contextualised using the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation (COM-B) model for behaviour change. Methods A mixed-methods convergent integrated systematic review will be conducted to combine both quantitative and qualitative data which will ensure all available evidence will be included when answering the review question. Twenty-six studies that included data on the influencing factors of AC in UK adults were identified through searches of five databases. Quantitative and qualitative data will be integrated using thematic synthesis and systematically mapped onto the COM-B model.ResultsPreliminary results found that in terms of the COM-B model, barriers were related to “physical opportunity” (e.g. poor infrastructure and traffic concerns) and “reflective motivation” (e.g. safety, time, distance and social norms). Facilitators were focused on “physical opportunity” (e.g. improved infrastructure) and “reflective motivation” (e.g. convenience, pleasantness, cost-effectiveness and health). DiscussionIdentifying modifiable and non-modifiable barriers and facilitators through a behavioural science lens may allow the development of targeted and theoretically informed approaches, which may encourage an increase in AC uptake in UK working adults.

KW - active travel

KW - Workplace

KW - Cycling

KW - Walking

KW - Systematic review methods

KW - factors

M3 - Poster

T2 - CASES Physical Activity for Health Division Day

Y2 - 2 June 2025 through 2 June 2025

ER -