Can Health-Enhancing Sporting Programs in Sports Clubs Lead to a Settings-Based Approach? An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Title

1. Do you think is the title in fit with the rest of the paper? The study used a qualitative approach? Don’t you think?

Perhaps the words as ‘exploratory’ … should be considered.

2. Materials and Methods
3. a) 101 102 Do you mean ‘longitudinal study…’?

‘This is a practice-based study consisting of Dutch sports clubs that have been providing sporting programs for inactive people over a period of multiple years.’

1. b) I have missed the type of design. Please, should be included.

2.3. Data analysis

159 I strongly suggest you include some kind of statistical test.

4. Discussion 330

4.1 From my point of view  ‘results’ should not be repeated over and over again.

4.2 I suggest you to improve the practical application of the study.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The topic of the manuscript is suitable for readers of IJERPH. The paper is well written, and writing is clear. Below are my concerns/suggestions and hope these will be helpful.

- The motivation for the study should be strengthened. While previous studies generally used the top-down approach, where they looked at the process of macro-level -> meso-level -> micro-level, the authors argued that the opposite might be true and not enough research hasn’t been done (line 92). Here, the authors should provide more justifications/theories/literature on why such a bottom-up approach is possible and why looking at it bears importance for the literature and practice.

- It would be helpful if the authors provide formal definition of “sports club” in the manuscript.

- More specific and actionable practical implications should be added in the Discussion. With the findings, how do the authors help practitioners implement relevant policies?

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx