Table 2 Examples from the Active Women over 50 intervention coded within the COM-B domains, intervention functions and behaviour change techniques (BCTs)

Psychological capability

Education

Information about health consequences (5.1)

Website:

“Why be Active?” section: “Regular physical activity can make you feel good and improve your self-esteem and confidence creating opportunities to socialise and meet new people”

SMS/Email:

Week 5: “Strength and balance exercises can help to prevent falls. You can do these exercises while watching TV. Look under “Tips” at www.[study website name].com/getting-started”

Health coaching:

Verbal education about physical activity for falls prevention

Training

Instruction of how to perform a behaviour (4.1)

Website:

“How to be Active-Getting started-Tips & hints” section: Video links, e.g. falls prevention exercises

SMS/Email:

Week 6: “Is something blocking your activity plans? Think of likely solutions. Perhaps break down goals into easier steps. Or ask an exercise professional for advice.”

Health coaching:

Instruction on balance exercises where appropriate

Graded Tasks (8.7)

Website:

“How to be Active-Getting started-7 steps to getting started” section: “Start small and gradually build up the amount of time you are active, or the intensity you can be active, or your goals. Use this pre-exercise questionnaire [link], and find out what light, moderate and vigorous exercise intensity is for you.”

SMS/Email:

Week 1: “Every bit of exercise counts! Start small and gradually build up.”

Health coaching:

Advice about gradual increase in physical activity

Enablement

Goal setting (behaviour and outcome) (1.1, 1.3)

Website:

“How to be Active-7 Steps for Getting Started-Step 4” and “How to be Active-Tools to keep going” section: refers participants to scheduling and goal setting resources.

SMS/Email:

Week 2: “Work towards your activity goals! Write down your when-where-how-action plan for the week. Put your plan & goals on your fridge, or where you can see them.”

Health coaching:

Advice on setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely (SMART) goals, setting goals with the participant.

Action planning (1.4)

Website:

“How to be Active-Tools to keep going” section: provision of physical activity weekly planner and physical activity charting templates

SMS/Email:

Week 1: “How do others keep motivated to be active? Many find making a plan with firm goals helps. Have a look at www.[study website name]/tools-to-keep-going”

Health coaching:

Advice on action planning, referring to the website for physical activity weekly planner and charting templates

Self-monitoring of behaviour (2.3)

Website:

“How to be Active-Tools to keep going” section: provision of templates to chart physical activity

“How to be Active-Mobile apps” section: suggestions of mobile apps to assist self-monitoring

SMS/Email:

Week 3: “Hi [FirstName], Track your activity on a calendar, chart or phone app so you can see your progress. See www.[study website name].com/mobile-apps for app suggestions.”

Health coaching:

Refer participant to website physical activity planning and charting templates; discussion/suggestions around wearables and phone apps for tracking activity.

Problem-solving (1.2)

Website:

“How to be Active-Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” section: responds to FAQs about how to be active. E.g. “I’ve never really been active before. Where do I start?” and “What do I do it I think physical activity is boring?” and “I have longstanding aches and pain. Is physical activity safe?”

SMS/Email:

Week 3: “If lack of time stops you from being active, how can you fit activity into your day? Replace some TV or device time with activity? Or have a walking meeting?”

Health coaching:

Identify motivators and barriers to physical activity, advice on action planning

Reflective motivation

Persuasion

Feedback on behaviour (2.2)

SMS/Email:

Week 6: “It’s 6 weeks since you committed to getting active. Congratulations on your efforts so far!”

Verbal persuasion about capability (15.1)

Website:

“How to be Active-Getting started” section: “For you, being more physically active may be simply a matter of spending more time doing the things you already enjoy doing such as taking the dog for a walk or gardening. Or maybe it's doing an activity with someone else. Pick something to do that you enjoy - then you're more likely to stick at it.”

SMS/Email:

Week 11: “Things can get in the way of you keeping up your activity. What strategies have you learnt to deal with difficult situations? Do you want to share these? www.[study website name]/contact”

Health coaching:

Motivational interviewing to increase self-efficacy

Social comparison (6.2)

Website:

“Be Inspired” section: video case studies produced for the website of real women and their experiences with physical activity – why they do it and what keeps them going; weblinks to articles from social media; opportunity for participants to share their own physical activity story via the website.

SMS/Email:

Week 1: “How do others keep motivated to be active?... Have a look at www.[study website name].com/tools-to-keep-going.”

Health coaching:

Provision of examples of what other women 50+ have done to increase physical activity when appropriate

Credible source (9.1)

Website:

Investigator institution logos on website

“Be Inspired” section: Video case studies from women aged 50+

“How to be Active-Find an activity or sport” section: links to larger reputable organisations, e.g. NSW Health, parkrun Australia

SMS/Email:

Investigator contact details on each email footer, links to website and larger reputable organisations, e.g. NSW Health, parkrun Australia

Health coaching:

Study health coach will be a Physiotherapist trained in behavioural intervention techniques and health coaching; participants referred to study health coach by study manager

Modelling

Demonstration of the behaviour (6.1)

Website:

“Be Inspired” section: Video links, e.g. This Girl Can, Females in Football

Health coaching:

Set goals with the participant; send links to balance exercise videos

Automatic motivation

Habit formation (8.3)

Website:

“Be Inspired” section: “Penny” video case study talking about importance of routine;

“How to be Active-7 steps for Getting started-Step 2” section: “Find out locations, times, costs of the activity or sport.” Location and times will then act as cues to action.

“How to be Active-Tools to keep going” section: provision of physical activity weekly planner and physical activity charting templates

SMS/Email:

Week 7: “Activities that easily fit into your daily life are much more likely to become a habit. Why not put a note on the fridge, or set a phone reminder to be active?”

Health coaching:

Identify motivators for developing healthy habits

Social opportunity

Enablement

Social support (unspecified) 3.1

Website:

“Be Inspired-Your story” section: “Share your physical activity story and read others’” to share experiences of physical activity

SMS/Email:

Week 4: “You're more likely to succeed if you tell someone your plans to be active - a relative, friend, or even your GP.”

Health coaching:

Identify social supports to support physical activity participation

Physical opportunity

Enablement

Adding objects to the environment (12.5)

Website:

Links on website for finding physical activity opportunities

SMS/Email:

Week 3: “See www. [study website name]/find-an-activity-or-sport to pick an activity you may enjoy. While being active you could listen to music, a podcast or invite a friend.”

Environmental restructuring

Prompts/cues (7.1)

Website:

“How to be Active-Tools to keep going” section: provision of goal setting, physical activity planner, physical activity charting templates participants can print out and put up.

“Be Inspired-Penny’s story” section: recommendations about the routine of putting out clothes at night as prompt to go to gym in the morning

SMS/Email:

Week 7: “Activities that easily fit into your daily life are much more likely to become a habit. Why not put a note on the fridge, or set a phone reminder to be active?”

Health coaching:

Provide suggested prompts/cues to activity, e.g. stick goals/action plans on fridge