Table 2 Eligibility criteria for nursing homes and participants

 • Registered nursing homes, either public or private. In a definitive trial, an equal number of private and public nursing homes should be allocated to each arm, in order to provide similar conditions for comparison. As this pilot feasibility study will have one nursing home in each arm, both nursing homes in the current study must be either public or private.

 • Located within a 30-km radius from National University of Ireland Galway (to allow the research team to provide ongoing site visits and support).

 • Minimum capacity of 45 residents in the nursing home (to ensure sufficient participant recruitment based on previous research [54]).

 • Willingness and agreement of managers to assist with the study protocol where required, including releasing relevant staff where needed and identifying residents eligible for participation.

• Voluntary nursing homes, retirement centre, day care centre, home care services or hospital.

• Currently taking part in another research study which influences PA behaviour of resident.

• Does not satisfy all of the above inclusion criteria.

 • Aged 65 years or over.

 • Can speak and understand English.

 • Resident in care home for at least 3 months (to allow the resident an appropriate adjustment period and time to establish daily routine).

 • Able to rise from a chair with armrests (with or without a walking aid) and able to walk at least 10 m (with or without a walking aid) independently or with minimal assistance.

 • Approval of the resident’s GP to participate (to ensure participant safety).

 • In the professional judgement of the key nurse caring for the resident, the resident must have the cognitive capacity to engage in the goal-setting and PA aspects of the intervention and be likely to benefit from taking part in the study.

 • Informed consent is obtained for participation through either (i) resident providing written informed consent or (ii) resident providing assent to participate and written informed consent obtained from the resident’s next of kin.

• Admission to nursing home for respite or end-stage terminal care.

• A significant sensory impairment, physical impairment or illness that impairs their ability to participate.

• Uncontrolled cardiovascular, musculoskeletal or neurological disorders.