Maintaining physical activity post-event? Case of the Tour of Flanders Cyclo in Belgium

Social ecological theory describes how physical activity participation is influenced by various systems and targets. This study conceptualizes the organization of a participatory sport event as one such target and seeks to understand what other elements of the individual and community systems are important for event participants to be physically active. The case of the Tour of Flanders Cyclo, Belgium's most popular participatory cycling event, is examined. Data were collected from participants through an online survey both before (N = 1091) and after the event (N = 639). Although the individual profile of event participants was homogeneous, significant differences – especially in terms of physical activity participation – were found between the different event distances of 83, 133 and 259 km. Individual behaviour and community resources were important to facilitate engagement with physical activity, which has implications for organizing participatory sport events in conjunction with other community targets.