Table 1

Study phases, research questions and methodology

Duration	Phase	Research questions	Methodology
9 Months	1. Development of a PARS	(a) How must a PARS be designed in order to be particularly effective?	Systematic review
		(b) Which barriers and which facilitators for the establishment of a PARS can be derived from international practices?	Discussion with international experts for PARS
		(c) Which structural factors or health system–related determinants promote or hinder the establishment of a PARS?	Discussion with international experts for PARS
		(d) How is the acceptance for the development and testing of the PARS on the part of the involved stakeholders of the health system and patient representatives?	Initial stakeholder interviews Three project meetings with stakeholders (group discussion, focus groups)
12 Months	2. Preparation of the PARS implementation	(e) How can the implementation be successful?	Two project meetings with stakeholders (group discussion, focus groups)
12 Months	2. Preparation of the PARS implementation	(f) Which facilitators and barriers can be identified in the implementation plan?
12 Months	3. Implementation, testing and evaluation	(g) How successful was the need-based assignment of patients (assessment) to suitable physical activity offer according to providers perspective?	Interview stakeholders Interview/online survey actors
		(h) How does the providers attitude/acceptance of the PARS change after the implementation of the intervention?	Interview stakeholders Interview/online survey actors
		(i) Which recruiting rates and participation rates are achieved for which patient groups? (Reach)	Pragmatic trial
		(j) What are the effects on patients' PA-related health competence? (Efficacy)
		(k) What effects are achieved in terms of increasing PA among patients? (Efficacy)
		(l) Which structural factors or health system-related determinants are influenced by the implementation of a PARS?	Interview actors Document analysis
3 Months	4. Scale-up	What steps are necessary to sustainably secure the tested PARS? (Maintenance)	Interviews stakeholders
3 Months	4. Scale-up	What steps are necessary to establish the tested PARS as part of the healthcare system across the board? (Adoption/Implementation)	Project meeting with stakeholders (group discussion, focus groups) Discussion on a congress

PA, physical activity; PARS, physical activity referral scheme.