Perceived Barriers to and Benefits of Physical Activity among Black and White Women

Abstract

This study is an examintion of the effects of race and income on leisure-time physical activity among women (n = 116). Perceived benefits of and barriers to participating in leisure-time physical activity were also compared. A regression model utilizing social cognitive variables was used to explore factors which may predict physical activity participation. No significant differences emerged between the groups regarding the amount of physical activity they reported either by race or socioeconomic status. Time expenditure emerged significantly different by race (p < .001) and income (p < .000); middle-income women reported time as a barrier more than lower-income women and Whites were likelier to report time as a barrier more than Blacks. Middle-income women perceived greater (p < .01) physical performance benefits from exercise than lower-income women. Social interaction, time expenditure, and body mass index were the strongest predictors of physical activity. The data and findings could be useful for increaseing our understanding of economic and racial disparities in physical activity participation and garnish information for use in constructing interven programs.

"…is it normal to be this sore?":

“…We archived web forum messages from GetFit!, an annual threemonth healthy lifestyle intervention created and promoted by Lack of interest [37] Lack of enjoyment [37] Social interaction [24] Lack of social support [15] Get physical activity on the job [6] Not the sporty type [50] * In [19], lack of time was the top reported barrier overall, but injury or poor health was the top barrier for those aged 60-75. In [48], lack of time was the top barrier for urban women, and care-giving duties for rural women.…”

Barriers to Physical Activity: A Study of Self-Revelation in an Online Community

“…1 In 11 of the 13 studies reviewed, the principal reason given for not being physically active was a lack of time for exercise [5-7, 9, 20-22, 24, 25, 27]. Care giving responsibility-including caring for children, elderly parents, or other family members-was also a prevalent barrier in studies that focused on women [4,6,7,25]. Lack of motivation [5,21,22,24] and lack of energy [6,7,20] were also frequently ranked as principle barriers.…”

“…When a message included a topic related to, but not accounted for by a code, we either clarified or expanded the code, or added a new code to cover the topic. The codebook was validated [26] Social interaction [25] Lack of social support [22] Get physical activity on the job [21] Not the sporty type [28] * In [24], lack of time was the top reported barrier overall, but injury or poor health was the top barrier for those aged 60-75. In [7], lack of time was the top barrier for urban women and care-giving duties for rural women.…”