A Comparison of Perceived Barriers and Motivators to Physical Activity in Young and Middle-Aged Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-59
Author(s):  
Nicola Brown ◽  
Yasmin Bowmer
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 929-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Spiteri ◽  
David Broom ◽  
Amira Hassan Bekhet ◽  
John Xerri de Caro ◽  
Bob Laventure ◽  
...  

Identifying the difference in the barriers and motivators between middle-aged and older adults could contribute toward the development of age-specific health promotion interventions. The aim of this review was to synthesize the literature on the barriers and motivators for physical activity in middle-aged (50–64 years) and older (65–70 years) adults. This review examined qualitative and quantitative studies using the theoretical domain framework as the guiding theory. The search generated 9,400 results from seven databases, and 55 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included. The results indicate that the barriers are comparable across the two age groups, with environmental factors and resources being the most commonly identified barriers. In older adults, social influences, reinforcement, and assistance in managing change were the most identified motivators. In middle-aged adults, goal-setting, the belief that an activity will be beneficial, and social influences were identified as the most important motivators. These findings can be used by professionals to encourage engagement with and adherence to physical activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S201-S202
Author(s):  
Ferdinand Delgado ◽  
Cheryl DerAnanian ◽  
Sonia Vega-Lopez ◽  
Shandel Vega-Soto ◽  
Hector Valdez ◽  
...  

Abstract Little is known about middle-aged Hispanic men’s perceptions of physical activity (PA). Purpose: To examine perceived barriers, facilitators, and benefits of PA and what types of PA are enjoyable. Methods: Seven focus groups (FGs) were conducted with middle-aged Hispanic men (mean age 51.6±6.1 years; n=32) who primarily self-identified as Mexican (78.1%). All FGs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. A grounded theory approach was used to identify themes. Results: Competing responsibilities (N=7 FGs), laziness/apathy (N=6 FGs), and a lack of habit/routine (N=5 FGs) were identified as the primary barriers to PA. Jobs were perceived as a PA barrier because of physical labor involved, long hours, having multiple jobs, and/or an inconsistent schedule. Laziness/apathy involved the notion that people have time to exercise, but choose not to. Not having a routine resulted in procrastination and not achieving exercise goals. Social support was the primary facilitator to PA, which included having a friend (N=5 FGs), family member (N=5 FGs), or spouse/partner (N=6 FGs) with whom they could participate in PA. Sports were mentioned in all FGs as enjoyable, including soccer (N=5 FGs), basketball (N=5 FGs), tennis/racquetball/handball (N=3 FGs), and baseball (N=2 FGs). Walking/running (N=6 FGs) and hiking (N=5 FGs) were also considered enjoyable. The primary perceived benefits of PA included increased energy after exercising (N=6 FGs) and improved overall health (N=6 FGs). Conclusion: Hispanic men realize the importance of PA and what may be hindrances or facilitators to increasing PA. Funded by the National Institute on Aging (R21 AG050084-01A1).


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 357-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Nicholson ◽  
Falko F. Sniehotta ◽  
Frederike van Wijck ◽  
Carolyn A. Greig ◽  
Marie Johnston ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Yoke

Objective:Physical inactivity, overweight, and obesity are endemic in the United States and in the developed world, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. More information is needed regarding the physical activity beliefs, attitudes, barriers, and perceived self-control among those who are sedentary and weight-challenged. The purpose of this study was to elicit physical activity beliefs about feasibility, pleasure, and movement descriptions from sedentary, middle-aged, overweight women.Methods:Open-ended questions were used throughout individual interviews with 23 participants (age: M = 52.0, SD = 7.3; BMI: M = 34.2, SD = 9.79); attitudes and beliefs regarding physical activity and movement descriptions were documented. Participants were divided into those who were completely sedentary (12 women) and those who regularly engaged in physical activity (11 women).Results:A content analysis revealed that sedentary women were less active and had more perceived barriers to physical activity than active women. The most frequently cited perceived barriers were injuries, caregiving responsibilities, time, age, dislike of sweating, and depression. Sedentary women were less likely to report physical activity as pleasurable; they were also more likely to cite having an exercise buddy as an optimal activity situation. The most frequently cited pleasurable activities in both groups were yoga, movement to music, stretching, and walking.Conclusions:This study provided evidence that perceived barriers to physical activity must be addressed, that low-intensity programs are needed and desired by overweight and sedentary women, and that movement activities must be found that are enjoyable for the target population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Huei Lin ◽  
Shang-Lin Chiang ◽  
Patsy Yates ◽  
Wen-Chii Tzeng ◽  
Meei-Shyuan Lee ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (7S) ◽  
pp. 115-115
Author(s):  
Sylvia E. Badon ◽  
Esti Iturralde ◽  
Nerissa Nance ◽  
Lyndsay A. Avalos

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Marashi ◽  
Emma Nicholson ◽  
Michelle Ogrodnik ◽  
Barbara Fenesi ◽  
Jennifer Heisz

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health, physical activity, and sedentary behavior of citizens worldwide. Using an online survey with 1669 respondents, we sought to understand why and how by querying about perceived barriers and motivators to physical activity that changed because of the pandemic, and how those changes impacted mental health. Consistent with prior reports, our respondents were less physically active (aerobic activity, −11%, p <0.05; strength-based activity, −30%, p<0.01) and more sedentary (+11%, p<0.01) during the pandemic as compared to 6-months before. The pandemic also increased psychological stress (+22%, p <0.01) and brought on moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Respondents’ whose mental health deteriorated the most were also the ones who were least active (depression r = −.21, p<0.01; anxiety r = −.12, p<0.01). The majority of respondents were unmotivated to exercise because they were too anxious (+8%, p <0.01), lacked social support (+6%, p =<0.01), or had limited access to equipment (+23%, p <0.01) or space (+41%, p <0.01). The respondents who were able to stay active reported feeling less motivated by physical health outcomes such as weight loss (−7%, p<0.01) or strength (−14%, p<0.01) and instead more motivated by mental health outcomes such as anxiety relief (+14%, p <0.01). Coupled with previous work demonstrating a direct relationship between mental health and physical activity, these results highlight the potential protective effect of physical activity on mental health and point to the need for psychological support to overcome perceived barriers so that people can continue to be physically active during stressful times like the pandemic.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0239244
Author(s):  
Maryam Yvonne Marashi ◽  
Emma Nicholson ◽  
Michelle Ogrodnik ◽  
Barbara Fenesi ◽  
Jennifer J. Heisz

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health, physical activity, and sedentary behavior of people worldwide. According to the Health Belief Model (HBM), health-related behavior is determined by perceived barriers and motivators. Using an online survey with 1669 respondents, we sought to understand why and how physical activity and sedentary behavior has changed by querying about perceived barriers and motivators to physical activity that changed because of the pandemic, and how those changes impacted mental health. The following results were statistically significant at p < .05. Consistent with prior reports, our respondents were less physically active (aerobic activity, -11%; strength-based activity, -30%) and more sedentary (+11%) during the pandemic as compared to 6-months before. The pandemic also increased psychological stress (+22%) and brought on moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Respondents’ whose mental health deteriorated the most were also the ones who were least active (depression r = -.21, anxiety r = -.12). The majority of respondents were unmotivated to exercise because they were too anxious (+8%,), lacked social support (+6%), or had limited access to equipment (+23%) or space (+41%). The respondents who were able to stay active reported feeling less motivated by physical health outcomes such as weight loss (-7%) or strength (-14%) and instead more motivated by mental health outcomes such as anxiety relief (+14%). Coupled with previous work demonstrating a direct relationship between mental health and physical activity, these results highlight the potential protective effect of physical activity on mental health and point to the need for psychological support to overcome perceived barriers so that people can continue to be physically active during stressful times like the pandemic.


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