Origin of competence (lower order theme)
Participants reported improvements in competence for PA. This shifted from a cautious reporting of improved competence at six-months to a more enthusiastic declaration of competence at 12-months. At six-months, much of the competence was derived from the REACT session leader’s style of instruction or through the vicarious experiences provided by watching others in the class (social models). Participants reported that gradual progression of exercises and successful execution improved their competence and subsequently their motivation for engagement with REACT and daily PA. At 12-months, participants described deriving competence from their own ability to perform the REACT exercises. Perceptions of competence motivated participants to engage in exercise, independently from the REACT programme. Participants reported that positive physiological and emotional changes further facilitated their perceived competence. Some participants reported that their competence for REACT exercises translated to increased confidence in their ability to replicate these exercises at home. Similarly, the origin of motivation for adhering to REACT and for daily PA transitioned from externally-derived (REACT peers and session leaders) at six-months to becoming more internalised at 12-and-24-months and deriving from their own sense of improved competence.