‘Leave all the troubles of the outside world’: a qualitative study on the binary benefits of ‘Boxercise’ for individuals with mental health difficulties

Abstract

With a growing trend to advocate physical activity as an adjunct to mental health treatment, this study aimed to assess the motivations, expectations and experiences of a 6-week structured physical activity programme, specifically Boxercise, for individuals with mental health difficulties. This study consisted of one pre-intervention focus group (FG) (n = 8) and one post-intervention FG (n = 4), employing inductive thematic analysis to assess the motivations, expectations and experiences of Boxercise. The pre-intervention results yielded three main themes and several subthemes: Gone off track (Loss of physical self, Loss of confident self, endeavour), Social re-integration (Free to ‘Be’) and Class constituents (Wayne, Evoke power). Post-intervention results focused on the actual experience of the programme, including three main themes and several subthemes: Praise of class (A focused challenge, Healthy escape, Camaraderie); Wayne (Superstar status, Proxy efficacy, Wayne’s gym) and Path to metamorphosis (Lost and found, Somatopsychic principle in practise, Heightened awareness of health). Overall, the study found positive physical and psychological benefits from the participation in a structured Boxercise programme for people with mental health difficulties. Furthermore, the study found that the unique ‘power’ (boxing) component of the class to be of particular benefit to the participants. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.