Abstract
Purpose: To describe the experience of obese adults following participation in an indoor aerobic interval training (AIT) intervention. Methodology: Qualitative, in-depth semi-structured individual interviews, using phenomenology, with 24 obese adults (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2) from the Endocrinology Department, at the Severo Ochoa Hospital in Leganés (Madrid). Questions were related to: (a) The physical activity (PA) programme, (b) their perspectives of the activity and exercise environment and (c) the perceived benefits from participation. Data were analysed with a constant comparison approach. Results: The main patients’ reasons for beginning the programme were motivations to take part including weight loss, health improvement and doctors’ recommendation. Also, patients showed doubts and feelings of apprehension at the beginning of the intervention. Patients highlighted the role of the instructor, feelings of exercising in a safe environment, a good intervention and accessibility of the facility. They reported an improvement in their quality of life and recommended continuing the program. Conclusions: (1) Common themes in the qualitative analysis included enjoyment of the activity and a desire to maintain physical fitness, (2) AIT was perceived as a suitable exercise programme for this population and (3) recommendations for further investigation to understand the role of PA programmes for people with obesity.
Highlights
Levels of physical inactivity are high in most regions of the world
It is known that adults who suffer from obesity obtain benefits from physical activity (PA), and PA has become a key element in national and international health promotion policies [5,6]
They are presented in the text with selected quotes to provide the lived experience of 2.the participants in the findings
Summary
Levels of physical inactivity are high in most regions of the world. At least 60% of the global population does not take part in sufficient physical activity (PA), which is necessary to obtain health benefits [1]. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 312 obtained by increasing PA to 300 min/week of aerobic activity of moderate intensity or 150 min/week of vigorous intensity. There are significant groups in the population where there is known levels of inactivity, higher than national figures suggest One of these groups is people who are overweight and obese [12]. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is an option for promoting greater health benefits for this population. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 obese patients to explore their progress in the development of the training process, considering their experiences, attitudes and perceived benefits in their general state of health and the results of participating in the programme
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