LAUSR

Background People who have had a stroke and are living in the community have low levels of physical activity, which reduces their functional capacity and increases risks of developing secondary comorbid conditions. Exercise delivered in community centers can address these low levels of physical activity; however, implementing evidence‐based programs to meet the needs of all community stakeholders is challenging. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine implementation factors to facilitate participation in relevant exercise and physical activity for people with chronic health conditions, like stroke. Design The design consisted of a qualitative observational study using an integrated knowledge translation approach. Methods Supported by an integrated knowledge translation approach, a series of focus groups—with stakeholder group representation that included people who had had a stroke and care partners, community organizations (ie, support groups, community center staff), health care providers, and exercise deliverers—was conducted. During the focus groups, participants provided perspectives on factors that could influence implementation effectiveness. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Results Forty‐eight stakeholders participated. Based on the themes, a new implementation model that describes the importance of relationships between community centers, clinicians, and people who have had a stroke is proposed. The development of partnerships facilitates the implementation and delivery of exercise programs for people with ongoing health needs. These partnerships address unmet needs articulated in the focus groups and could fill a gap in the continuity of care. Conclusions Data from this study support the need for the community sector to offer a continuing service in partnership with the health system and people with chronic health needs. It indicates the potential of clinicians to partner with people with chronic health conditions and empower them to improve participation in relevant health behaviors, like community‐based exercise.