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Built Environment Approaches to Physical Activity: Testing Community-Driven Implementation Strategies
Project Description
The goal of the project is to pilot test implementation strategies designed to support Montana State University Extension Agents (MSUE) with implementing built environment approaches. Built environment approaches make it safer and easier for people across the life span to walk, bicycle, or wheelchair roll, and mitigate barriers to physical activity by making the healthy choice the default choice.
The first aim of the project was using an integrated research-practice partnership approach to engage Extension professionals in selecting and tailoring implementation strategies through a series of collaborative decision-making sessions. These strategies are available to all MSUE, regardless of discipline.
The second aim of the project is using the expanded RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework (integrating the Implementation Outcomes Framework) to assess 1) acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of built environment approaches (predictors of adoption), 2) Extension Agents’ adoption of built environment approaches (primary outcome), and 3) acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, reach, and cost of implementation strategies to guide final revisions.
Research Partners
Practice Partners
Laura Balis, PhD
Research Scientist
Center for Nutrition
& Health Impact
Shelly Palmer, MS
Project Manager
Center for Nutrition
& Health Impact
Michelle Grocke-Dewey, PhD
Association Professor
Health & Wellness Specialist
Montana State University
Emily Shaw, MPH
Research Associate
Center for Nutrition
& Health Impact
Jackie Beardsley, MS
Extension Agent
Powder River County
Lisa Terry, MS
Extension Agent
Glacier County
Shelby Jones-Dozier, PhD
Extension Agent
Teton County
Juli Thurston, MS
Extension Agent
Sanders County
Implementation Strategies
On this webpage, you will find information about the three implementation strategies the research team is offering to MSUE. The implementation strategies will be available from March 2025–February 2026.
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The “Enhancing the Built Environment: Strategies to Shape Active Communities” toolkit guides you through building a strong community coalition, assessing community needs, and selecting, implementing, and evaluating recommended built environment approaches.
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Are you working on built environment approaches in your community, but don't know where to start?
Technical assistance can be requested from the research team to discuss topics such as connecting with a coalition, selecting built environment approaches, planning for chosen built environment approaches, and evaluating and communicating results. -
To support you with applying for internal and external funding to implement built environment approaches, we have collected a list of potential funding opportunities. Additional funding support can be discussed during a technical assistance meeting. This list of funding opportunities will be updated every three months.
For more information, email Shelly Palmer.
This research was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R21CA280503. The content
is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.