Understanding Factors to Implement a Peer‐Led Exercise Program Aiming to Reduce Risk of Falls in a Community Setting

A Qualitative Study

Bibliographic Data

ID12287799
AuthorsDanielle R Bouchard (0000-0001-5510-7786), D Jordan Bouchard (0000-0003-0133-8954, University of New Brunswick, corresponding author), Brianna Leadbetter (0009-0006-7103-5632, University of New Brunswick), Maria Fernanda Fuentes Diaz (0009-0003-6160-9477, University of New Brunswick), Charlene S Shannon (0000-0003-2260-414X, University of New Brunswick), Kathryn M Sibley (0000-0002-6212-5437, Manitoba Health)
EditorsRaeann G Leblanc
Year2026
Volume2026
Issue1
Publication date2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth & Social Care in the Community (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0966-0410 • E-ISSN: 1365-2524
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1155/hsc/5554842
OpenAlexW7140138924
LanguageEN
References cited42

Background Zoomers in Balance is an evidence‐based fall prevention group exercise program offered for free to participants and led by peer‐volunteer leaders. Since 2009, it has been expanded to more sites, delivering to 800% more participants by adding capacity and online options. This program aims to reduce the risk of falls among adults aged 50+. To sustain and continue spreading the program as requests grow, it is crucial to understand the factors that drive success and pose challenges. Methods Thirteen key informants (eight leaders and five key community partners involved in program delivery) participated in individual interviews examining barriers and facilitators to delivering Zoomers in Balance (the innovation). Content analysis was used to categorize participants’ barriers and facilitators into the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR 2.0): intervention characteristics, outer setting, inner setting, characteristics of individuals, and process. Results The analysis of the interviews revealed 249 factors that influenced the implementation of the Zoomers in Balance program: 150 facilitators and 99 barriers. All five domains were represented among the reported barriers and facilitators. Most perceived facilitators (55%) were from the innovation and individuals domains, while most perceived barriers (56%) were from the inner setting and implementation process domains. Interestingly, a large proportion of factors were related to the volunteer peer model for both facilitators and barriers. Conclusion The results suggest that, while the program is highly valued by both leaders and participants, organizational capacity and implementation procedures pose significant challenges. Overall, the prominence of the volunteer peer leader model across both facilitators and barriers underscores its central role in the program. Strategies are therefore needed to support peer leaders while acknowledging the model’s limitations

Balance (ability · Categorization · Intervention (counseling · Poison control · Process (computing · Qualitative analysis · Qualitative research · Suicide prevention · Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention · Health Policy Implementation Science · Occupational Therapy Practice and Research · Human Factors and Ergonomics