'...So Yeah, You Do What You Can ...': Exploring the Barriers to Women's Opportunities for Physical Activity

10.26686/wgtn.16967830.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Marilyn Colleen Northcott

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Survey Study ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Physically Active ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Women's Participation ◽

Personal Context ◽

Sport And Recreation

<p>This research was prompted by the Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) survey study Obstacles to Action: A study of New Zealanders Physical Activity and Nutrition 2006. The study found a segment of respondents who were too busy and too stressed to take part in physical activity with any regularity, 67% were women. This finding invites closer examination of the kinds of barriers that keep women from having opportunities for physical activity: Why is it difficult for women in the 'Busy and Stressed' segment to be able to participate in physical activity? Many studies of physical activity are conducted from a health perspective examined as a population measure assessed in terms of frequency, intensity and duration, and fail to consider the multiple influences that shape women's physical activity decisions. Missing from the literature so far has been a comprehensive look at the factors affecting women's participation in physical activity from the context of their daily lives. This thesis draws on key literature from feminism, leisure studies and psychology and looks specifically at the social and personal context that lies behind women's decision-making about participating in physical activity. My methodology was based in Feminism and guided by Ecological Theory. Data collected from three focus group discussions centered on personal, social and environmental themes engaged the participants in sharing experiences that influence their opportunities for physical activity. Nineteen women between the ages of 25 and 49 participated in the focus groups. Most of them were in situations where they were juggling partners, work, study, and children and therefore were similar to SPARC's busy and stressed segment, and were not getting the recommended amount of physical activity. Results show that while the women's attitudes and experiences of physical activity were very positive, and they mainly had good levels of support, there was little time or opportunity to be able to participate in physical activity with any regularity. Women continue to be over represented as inactive in physical activity research, however there is less research at present that includes the voices of women about the trade-offs, uncertainties and negotiations involved in their opportunities to be physically active. This study addresses what I see as a significant gap in the research.</p>

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Physical Activity of Polish and Norwegian Local Communities in the Context of Self-Government Authorities’ Projects

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16101710 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. 1710

Author(s):

Anna Maria Urbaniak-Brekke ◽

Beata Pluta ◽

Magdalena Krzykała ◽

Marcin Andrzejewski

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Local Governments ◽

Local Authorities ◽

Physically Active ◽

Time Pattern ◽

Outdoor Sports ◽

Action Model ◽

Recreation Facilities ◽

Sport And Recreation ◽

The Impact

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between the physical activity (PA) undertaken by two groups of residents living in Poland and Norway, and projects run by their respective local authorities. A secondary goal is to determine PA levels in the studied social groups. Two representative groups (one from each country) were examined using a diagnostic survey, supported by questionnaires and interviews. The Polish cohort consisted of 382 respondents who were residents of 11 municipalities in the Kalisz district of the Greater Poland voivodship. The Norwegian cohort was made up of 378 residents of 8 Indre Sogn municipalities from the Sogn og Fjordane region. Norwegians are twice as physically active as Poles and assess their municipal sport and recreation facilities to be much better. There is no statistically significant relationship between Polish and Norwegian PA levels in the two studied groups and their positive views on the impact of their local governments’ projects to promote PA. Statistically significant correlations occurred between the frequency of PA undertaken, the time pattern of class unit, MET level (metabolic equivalent) and the declared use of the sport and recreation facilities of the two communities. Both groups are more willing to be active outdoors than indoors and thus municipal authorities should take particular care about the state of outdoor sports and recreation infrastructure. An innovative and original action model is presented to assist local authorities in their attempts to raise PA levels in their communities.

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Diet and physical activity – interactions for health; public health nutrition in the European perspective

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980099000634 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 2 (3a) ◽

pp. 453-459 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Michael Sjöström ◽

Agneta Yngve ◽

Eric Poortvliet ◽

Daniel Warm ◽

Ulf Ekelund

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Strategy Development ◽

Public Health Nutrition ◽

Physically Active ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Diet And Physical Activity ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽

Great Possibility ◽

Health Enhancing Physical Activity

AbstractFor the majority of European adults, who neither smoke nor drink excessively, the most significant controllable risk factors affecting their long-term health are what they eat, and how physically active they are.Scientists are supposed to clarify to policy makers and health professionals the usefulness of their health messages. However, to be able to do that, a more detailed understanding is needed of the basic mechanisms behind the effects on health of diet and physical activity and, especially, the two in combination. Further, better methods for assessment of nutrition and physical activity in the population have to be developed, and more and better baseline data have to be collected. Increased and more efficient interventions are then needed. People trained and competent in the new discipline of Public Health Nutrition are required.Through the stimulating support that the European Commission, as well as other national and international partners, are presently giving to the development of Public Health Nutrition across Europe, we can hope for an increased mobility, networking and understanding between European nutrition and physical activity professionals. This will most likely result in greater and better policy making, strategy development, implementation and evaluation. We now have a great possibility to develop the integrated field of preventive nutrition and health enhancing physical activity.

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Activité physique, santé et vieillissement chez des femmes francophones de l'Ontario

Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement ◽

10.1017/s0714980800001756 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 443-454

Author(s):

Natalie Beausoleil ◽

Geneviève Martin

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Aging Process ◽

Individual Responsibility ◽

Physically Active ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Effects Of Aging ◽

Harmful Effects ◽

Regular Physical Exercise

ABSTRACTThis article discusses qualitative research conducted in minority Francophone communites in Ontario. The perceptions of and participation in physical activity by some thirty women are analysed with respect to sociological foundations and current views on aging. These views apply to individual responsibility for health; to the links between health, beauty, and aging; to participation in sports; to perceptions of masculinity and femininity; and, finally, to the obligation to remain physically active at all stages of life. The results of the study among women grouped into three age brackets reveal that, although these women have adopted a view of individual responsibility for health and the prevention of the harmful effects of aging through regular physical exercise, they may also be seen as subjects who find strategies in their daily lives to avoid falling prey to the pressures of health and beauty standards regarding aging, to face limitations, and to develop a healthy way of experiencing the aging process.

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Exploring Factors Enhancing Resilience Among Marginalized Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/07334648211048749 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 073346482110487

Author(s):

Kathy Lee ◽

Kate Hyun ◽

Jaci Mitchell ◽

Troyee Saha ◽

Nilufer Oran Gibson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Community Organizations ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

Informal Support ◽

Physically Active ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Different Levels

Marginalized older adults are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to social isolation and physical and functional limitations. Despite these stressors, they appear to be resilient by leveraging individual, community, and societal resources. This study conducted in-depth interviews with marginalized older adults to understand how COVID-19 affected their mobility and daily lives. We also identified different levels of protective factors affecting their resiliency to pandemic stressors. COVID-19 influenced not only the physical health but also the mental health of older adults. However, they overcame adversity by using technology to continue daily activities, exchanging informal support with family and neighbors, relying on formal support from community organizations, and keeping themselves physically active in their neighborhoods. Our findings suggest a holistic approach to enhance the resilience of older adults during an unprecedented event.

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Physical Activity Levels and Related Energy Expenditure during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Sicilian Active Population: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Study

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12114356 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 4356 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Valerio Giustino ◽

Anna Maria Parroco ◽

Antonio Gennaro ◽

Giuseppe Musumeci ◽

Antonio Palma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Online Survey ◽

Short Form ◽

The Elderly ◽

Survey Study ◽

Rank Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Significant Difference

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Italian government has adopted containment measures to control the virus’s spread, including limitations to the practice of physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to estimate the levels of PA, expressed as energy expenditure (MET–minute/week), among the physically active Sicilian population before and during the last seven days of the COVID-19 quarantine. Furthermore, the relation between this parameter and specific demographic and anthropometric variables was analyzed. Methods: 802 Sicilian physically active participants (mean age: 32.27 ± 12.81 years; BMI: 23.44 ± 3.33 kg/m2) were included in the study and grouped based on gender, age and BMI. An adapted version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—short form (IPAQ-SF) was administered to the participants through an online survey. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test were used for statistical analyses. Results: As expected, we observed a significant decrease of the total weekly energy expenditure during the COVID-19 quarantine (p < 0.001). A significant variation in the MET–min/wk in the before quarantine condition (p = 0.046) and in the difference between before and during quarantine (p = 0.009) was found for males and females. The male group decreased the PA level more than the female one. Moreover, a significant difference in the MET–min/wk was found among groups distributions of BMI (p < 0.001, during quarantine) and of age (p < 0.001, both before and during quarantine). In particular, the highest and the lowest levels of PA were reported by the young and the elderly, respectively, both before and during quarantine. Finally, the overweight group showed the lowest level of PA during quarantine. Conclusion: Based on our outcomes, we can determine that the current quarantine has negatively affected the practice of PA, with greater impacts among males and overweight subjects. In regards to different age groups, the young, young adults and adults were more affected than senior adults and the elderly.

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Physical activity and public health

10.1093/med/9780198816805.003.0063 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 73-84

Author(s):

Nyssa T. Hadgraft ◽

Neville Owen ◽

Paddy C. Dempsey

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Physically Active ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Middle Income ◽

Public Health Challenges ◽

Manual Tasks

There are well-established chronic disease prevention and broader public health benefits associated with being physically active. However, large proportions of the adult populations of developed countries and rapidly urbanizing developing countries are inactive. Additionally, many people’s lives are now characterized by large amounts of time spent sitting—at work, at home, and in automobiles. Widespread urbanization, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, has resulted in large segments of traditionally active rural populations moving into cities. Many previously manual tasks in the occupational and household sectors have become automated, making life easier and safer in many respects. However, a pervasive consequence of these developments is that large numbers of people globally are now going about their daily lives in environments that place them at risk of overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems. This represents a formidable set of public health challenges. In this context, the present chapter describes: key definitions and distinctions relating to physical activity, exercise, and sedentary behaviour; current evidence on relationships physical inactivity and sitting time with health outcomes, and associated public health recommendations; prevalence and trends in physical activity and sedentary behaviours, and some of the key issues for surveillance and measurement; and, how physical activity and sedentary behaviour may be understood in ways that will inform broad-based public health approaches. An interdisciplinary and intersectoral strategy is emphasized. This requires working with constituencies beyond the public health field, such as urban planning, architecture, occupational health and safety, and social policy.

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Feasibility of a Campus-Based “Buddy System” to Promote Physical Activity: Canadian Students’ Perspectives

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.3.3.323 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 323-334 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Patricia Tucker ◽

Jennifer D. Irwin

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Physically Active ◽

Policies And Procedures ◽

Buddy System ◽

Matching Criteria ◽

Social Components

Objective:To explore the characteristics of a university-wide buddy system that students would be receptive to using.Methods:This study targeted a heterogeneous sample of undergraduate university students age 18 to 25 y. An experienced moderator, using a semi-structured interview guide, conducted 13 focus groups (n = 65). Focus group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was conducted independently by two researchers. Measures were incorporated throughout to ensure data trustworthiness.Results:The value of this campus-based physical activity intervention was emphasized by the vast majority of participants. Five main themes exemplified students' preferences: sign-up methods; matching criteria; social components; policies and procedures; and contact methods.Conclusion:Students confirmed that a campus-based program tailored to their needs and preferences will be more effective than those to which they currently have access. Given the small number of physically active Canadian university students, a campus-based program that is appealing is important for the health of this population.

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Physical Activity Experiences of Adolescent Girls Living in a Rural Community

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal ◽

10.1123/wspaj.2020-0014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 161-172

Author(s):

Luciana Zuest

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Rural Community ◽

Strong Support ◽

The United States ◽

Photo Elicitation ◽

Visual Methods ◽

Physical Competence ◽

Physically Active ◽

Daily Lives

This study explored the daily life physical activity (PA) experiences of 11 adolescent girls living in a rural community in the Northwest of the United States. This qualitative study employed visual methods to explore adolescent girls’ PA experiences in their daily lives. Specifically, this study used visual diaries and photo-elicitation interviews to capture girls’ PA experiences. Data from this study revealed two distinct PA patterns among the 11 participants: casual movers and sporty girls. Casual movers have a much less structured approach to PA. They engage in a wide variety of PA types—mostly individual forms of PA and PA geared towards recreation. They describe fun, enjoyment, and task mastery as their main motivations to be physically active. Casual movers often engage in PA with family members and are compelled to be active outdoors and in their homes or neighborhoods. In contrast, all five sporty girls belong to competitive sports teams and have a more structured PA routine. They seek performance improvement and have high perceptions of physical competence. Sporty girls value being active with their teammates and receive strong support from their families in the form of encouragement, role modeling, and financial/structural assistance. Sporty girls feel confident being active in their schools’ fields, courts, and gymnasiums, but also appreciate the outdoors environment. Findings from this study support the need for schools to increase access to PA opportunities that are not focused on skill or fitness performance, thus appealing to casual movers’ approach to physical movement.

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A Qualitative Investigation of Australian Youth Perceptions to Enhance School Physical Activity: The Environmental Perceptions Investigation of Children’s Physical Activity (EPIC-PA) Study

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2015-0165 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 543-550 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Brendon Hyndman

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Environmental Perceptions ◽

Recreational Physical Activity ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Government Schools ◽

Physically Active ◽

Animal Activity ◽

Children’S Physical Activity ◽

Insight Into ◽

Physical Activity Facilities

Background:There is more demand than ever for schools to equip children with the necessary skills to be physically active. The purpose of the Environmental Perceptions Investigation of Children’s Physical Activity (EPIC-PA) study was to investigate elementary and secondary school children’s perceptions to enhance the school physical activity environment.Methods:Four Australian government schools (2 elementary and 2 secondary) were recruited for the EPIC-PA study. During the study, 78 children were recruited aged 10 to 13 years. The focus group discussions consisted of 54 children (32 elementary and 22 secondary) and the map drawing sessions included 24 children (17 elementary and 7 secondary).Results:The findings from the EPIC-PA study revealed insight into uniquely desired features to encourage physical activity such as adventure physical activity facilities (eg, rock climbing walls), recreational physical activity facilities (eg, jumping pillows), physical activity excursions, animal activity programs and teacher-directed activities. In addition to specific features, childrens revealed a host of policies for equipment borrowing, access to sports equipment/areas, music during physical activity time and external physical education lessons.Conclusions:Understanding the multiple suggestions from children of features to enhance physical activity can be used by schools and researchers to create environments conducive to physical activity participation.

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