Facilitators and barriers to physical activity participation experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults: A mixed methods systematic review protocol

Objective:To synthesize the existing research about physical activity and sport facilitators and barriers experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in Australia.Introduction:Physical activity and sport have cultural importance for First Nations peoples. Achieving health and broader benefits from physical activity and sport is impacted by experiences of both facilitators and barriers to participation. Identifying how to facilitate participation and overcome barriers to physical activity and sport is important to develop strategies to increase physical activity levels and sport participation among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Several studies have examined physical activity and sport facilitators and barriers experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, and collective synthesis of these studies can provide a more comprehensive understanding of their findings.Inclusion criteria:This mixed methods systematic review will consider studies that include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 18 years and over from any setting or region of Australia. Studies will be considered if they report on facilitators and barriers to physical activity and/or sport participation.Methods:Eleven databases will be searched, as well as gray literature sources, and a selection of websites containing resources relevant to physical activity participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Studies published in English will be included. No date limits will be set. After screening the titles and abstracts of identified citations, potentially relevant studies will be retrieved in full. Study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis will be undertaken according to the convergent integrated approach to mixed methods reviews.