Table 4.

Joint display of integrated findings from quantitative and qualitative study organized using the COM-B model.

COM-B Component	Themed groups of Enablers/Barriers	Categories of Enablers/Barriers	Joint Display of Quantitative and Qualitative Findings *	Integrated Summation of Findings
Capability	Knowledge	Awareness of the importance of preconception PA PA information available on social media/internet Misconceptions	Approximately three-quarters of women expressed that physical activity during the preconception period is essential for general health (78.6%), a healthy pregnancy (77.7%) and a healthy baby (74.3%). Agreement with the statement that “Physical activity during the preconception period is important” was significantly associated with higher levels of PA (univariable analysis; Table 2). “…you know, pregnancy takes a huge toll on the body a huge toll on the body……. the healthier you are, you know, the better chance your body can, can tolerate the extra weight of the baby and, and then childbirth…” Over three-quarters (77.6%) of women in the quantitative study reported that they can understand the PA information available on the internet or social media related to the preconception period. “So I don’t quite know whether to trust that or not. However, it is hard to filter through what is kind of, you know, well informed and non-biased information.” “we when you say physical activity in [sic] the stereotypical things that come to mind of like intense exercise isn’t really something I do.”	Awareness of the importance of preconception PA and understanding PA information available on internet/social media acted as enabler to PA. Misconceptions that only vigorous activity counts as PA and feeling overwhelmed by the information available on social media/internet acted as barriers to PA.
Motivation	Beliefs about consequences Goals Emotions Belief about capabilities	Believing in the benefits of preconception PA Positive feelings associated with regular PA Having goals Physical exhaustion and fatigue Lack of confidence No priority given to oneself	Over three-quarters of participants expressed a strong belief in the benefits of preconception PA, with 81.1% agreeing it can have a positive impact on their own general health and 75.9% perceiving benefits for the health of potential future offspring. “Yeah, I mean, I believe, but on top of that for your future babies.” “What is fun, like, I love, I love movement.” 84.7% of participants expressed a desire to be physically active to attain general health, while 69.9% aimed to lose weight, and 67.5% sought to enhance their body image. “I would like to be super fit.” “So the idea now of working all day, and you’re completely exhausted. And then going actually physical exhaustion, like as I know that I need to.” “I think I’ve lost a lot of confidence to even just get out and do anything.” “There’s a kid sport something. So usually I’m running around between all of them. By the time I actually get time to sit, I want to rest, not run around or engage in exercise, so I don’t prioritise it as much as I should.” “I don’t go to the gym because I’ve got children. And you know, with my husband working, it’s really hard for me to find, find somewhere I can go.” “I don’t mean that in any sort of, I’m a supermom, or I’m a master or nothing like that. I just, yeah, I just want to try and help them succeed in the best way they can. So, where I can facilitate that I do, but it doesn’t leave a lot of time left for me.”	Belief in the benefits of preconception PA, positive feelings associated with regular PA and having goals acted as enabler to PA. Lack of confidence, no priority given to oneself, and physical exertion acted as barriers to PA.
Opportunity	Social Influences Environmental context and resources	Presence of social support Lack of social support Aspiring to be role model Time Restrictions Financial constraints Lack of accessibility	The majority of women agreed that that they received support from their partners (84.2%), families (84.7%), and friends (86.5%). “So, my husband built me a little gym here at the home, which is amazing. And I do that every morning.” “So I could like [sic] a supportive friend or partner or family member or something would be helpful.” 75.5% of women expressed their agreement with the statement that they aspire to be role models for their children or future children through daily exercise. 35% of women agreed with the statement that they lacked sufficient time for physical activity due to competing commitments. Women who reported they had enough time to participate in PA were more than twice as likely to be moderately to vigorously active (multivariable analyses, Table 2). Only 22% of women agreed that they find doing regular exercise expensive. “After having my second child, I did try to go to a gym, that had they advertised that they had childcare available at the gym. And I tried that. However, the tricky thing with that was that you had to book in time slots. And it was really pricey.” “You can imagine having a baby in a stroller, I know you’re walking down the road. And the place is just bumpy, bumpy.”	Presence of social support and aspiring to be role model acted as enabler to PA. Time restrictions, lack of social support, financial constraints and lack of accessibility acted as barriers to PA.

* Quantitative findings are presented in normal font and qualitative findings are presented in italics.