Enablers Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Older LGBT+ Adults and Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Qualitative and Quantitative Data

Abstract Introduction The present study represents the first systematic review summarizing existing publications on older sexual and gender minority (LGBT+) people's engagement with physical activity (PA) aged 65 and over. Methods Relevant articles were systematically searched in four scientific databases (i.e., PsychArticles, PsychInfo, Pubmed, and Web of Science) in March 2023. We included original articles published after 1968 with relevant keywords associated with “PA”, “older adults”, and “LGBT+ identity”. Of the 887 records identified, 53 articles were included in the systematic review. Results Studies were critically reviewed according to participants’ subjectivity considered in the publications: (a) sexual minority (LGB+) identities; (b) sexual and gender minority (LGBT+) identities; (c) transgender and gender-diverse identities; (d) gay and bisexual male identities; and (e) lesbian and bisexual female identities. The most frequent research areas, taking together all the five identity categories considered in the present review, were the differences between LGBT+ people and cis-heterosexual people, the discrimination and homophobia/transphobia in sport-related contexts, and the competent interventions and aging well in LGBT+ older adults. Conclusions Findings suggest a lack of information regarding PA in older LGBT+ aged 65 and over. Future research should investigate the barriers and enablers of PA in older LGBT+ people. Policy Implications It is mandatory to promote regular exercise to reduce health disparities between older LGBT+ individuals and their cis-heterosexual counterparts. The policy and environmental implications of the findings for older LGBT+ people are discussed.

Parents' perceptions and experiences of physical activity in childhood cancer survivors in Singapore: a qualitative study.

The survival rate for childhood cancer has increased with advances in medical care. Along with this comes the growing burden of long-term side effects of cancer treatment and cancer survivorship. Childhood cancer survivors are more likely to be sedentary and have a lower quality of life. Physical activity (PA) can promote health and well-being in childhood cancer survivors, but few studies have explored the role of parents of childhood cancer survivors (PCCS) in promoting PA. This qualitative study aims to explore the perceptions of PCCS in Singapore and the role they may have with regard to PA. Participants were recruited through a local charity via email, social media and posters. One-hour semi-structured interviews were conducted online with seven parents. With consent, the interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Our study discussed thematically parents' accounts on (1) the barriers and enablers of PA and (2) the complications of cancer that potentially affect the levels of PA in childhood cancer survivors. Parents reported that childhood cancer negatively affects the quality of life and participation in PA. The determinants of participation in PA were multifaceted, and socioecological and health belief models were used to demonstrate how these factors were interlinked. Participation in PA is influenced at an individual, family, community and societal level. The improved understanding facilitated by this research can be used to shape paediatric cancer care practices in Singapore and guide institutional or national policy interventions.

41 PROFILING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SARCOPENIA AMONG OLDER ADULTS ATTENDING A PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

Abstract Background Reduced physical activity (PA) and increased levels of sarcopenia are possible consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults. During the pandemic, 26% of people over 70 were inactive. This mixed-methods study aimed to profile PA and sarcopenia levels among older adults attending a primary care physiotherapy service during the pandemic and to explore their experiences of PA. Methods Adults over 70 years of age attending a primary care physiotherapy service were invited to participate between September 2021 - January 2022. PA and levels of sarcopenia were captured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and the SARC-F. One-to-one semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a sample of the group and analysed using thematic analysis. The Irish College of General Practitioners granted ethical approval. Results 59 participants (35 females) participated in the cross-sectional study (median age: 79.3; IQR: 12 years). Ninety-one percent of participants (n=54) followed cocooning restrictions. Fifty-six percent (n=33) of participants had low PA levels (95% CI: 43-69%), and 56% (n=33) scored 4 or more on the SARC-F (95% CI: 43-69%), which is predictive of sarcopenia. Ten participants (7 females) completed an interview (median age: 75.4; IQR: 5years). Four themes emerged; 1) a sudden in change in PA levels, 2) the impact of cocooning measures on PA levels, 3) barriers to PA and 4) enablers of PA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion Low PA levels and high levels of sarcopenia were identified among older adults attending a primary care physiotherapy service. Participants were uncertain if they would return to their pre-pandemic PA levels due to slowness of movement and fear of COVID-19. There is a need to address these low PA levels as society enters a new post-pandemic phase.

Pregnant and Postpartum Women's Perceptions of Barriers to and Enablers of Physical Activity During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Physical activity throughout pregnancy has been shown to have health benefits for the pregnant person, including reductions in the risk of preeclampsia and gestational weight gain and improvements in blood pressure regulation. Despite the benefits, many pregnant women do not meet the guidelines for physical activity throughout pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to determine what influences women's activity levels during pregnancy. This systematic review of the qualitative literature aimed to determine pregnant and postpartum women's perceptions of barriers to and enablers of physical activity, specifically during pregnancy. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Embase were searched systematically to identify qualitative studies investigating pregnant or postpartum women's perceptions of barriers to and enablers of physical activity during pregnancy. Included studies were limited to populations of pregnant or postpartum women, the majority of whom were aged 18 to 40 years, and studies published from 1985 onward. Data quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Studies Checklist. Data were extracted using NVivo software and subsequently mapped on the COM-B framework. Twenty-five qualitative studies were included in this systematic review. Sixteen themes were identified that mapped onto 6 components of the COM-B framework. Commonly reported barriers to physical activity during pregnancy included pregnancy symptoms, lack of knowledge of what constitutes safe activity, and the opinions of women's social circles. Commonly reported enablers of physical activity during pregnancy were social support and the experienced benefits, including physiologic, psychological, and social benefits. The results of this systematic review have clinical implications for perinatal care providers, as the overall benefits of physical activity during pregnancy have been well documented in previous studies. The authors recommend clinicians aim to explore pregnant women's perspectives on physical activity during pregnancy in order to be able to address their perceived barriers to and enablers of physical activity during pregnancy.

Barriers and facilitators to physical activity participation in patients with head and neck cancer: a scoping review.

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) usually experienced disfigurement, dysfunction, and psychosocial distress, leading to a decline in their quality of life. Physical activity (PA) is recommended for such patients. Despite the proven benefits of participating in PA, the compliance of patients with HNC is still poor. Hence, the factors influencing PA participation and adherence in patients with HNC need to be explored. This study aimed to (1) identify barriers and enablers of PA in adult patients living with HNC and (2) map barriers and facilitators to the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model. Types of studies: Studies with qualitative, quantitative, and mixed designs were included in this review. The current review takes into account patients with HNC aged 18years or above. Types of interventions: This review considered all studies focusing on full-body PA. This scoping review focused on studies examining health behavior, patients' compliance, and facilitators and/or barriers to PA engagement. Five databases (Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO) were searched following the methodology for scoping reviews from inception to July 2021. The extracted data included author(s)/year of publication, country, main purpose of the study, sample size/disease site and stage, methodology and methods, type of treatment, and main findings/barriers, or facilitators. A total of 22 studies were finally selected. The top three barriers were physical-related issues, time pressures, and low motivation or interest. Most facilitators included perceived psychological, health, and social benefits and preference for the model of PA. The most frequent COM-B model components were physical capability, automatic motivation, and physical opportunity. Patients with HNC have unique facilitators and barriers to participating in PA. Interventions must leverage facilitators and limit barriers to exercise so as to increase compliance with exercise. Future studies should test the effectiveness of behavioral change measures based on the factors influencing the COM-B model.

A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Enablers of Physical Activity among Female Emirati University Students.

Interventions to promote physical activity participation should reflect social and culturally relevant influences of the target demographic. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of barriers to and enablers of physical activity participation among female Emirati university students. Five semi-structured focus groups were conducted (n = 25). Participants were asked open-ended questions about benefits, barriers and enablers of physical activity, and recommendations to promote participation. Emergent themes were identified using Nvivo software. Commonly identified benefits included improved health, weight management, improved mood, and stress reduction. The main barriers were low family support, competing time demands from domestic and academic activities, lack of convenient access to women-only facilities, and hot weather. The main enablers and recommendations related to social support from family and friends, accessible and low-cost women-only facilities, and structured supervised sessions. Findings suggest that there are specific social-cultural influences of physical activity among female Emirati university students. Approaches to promote participation could include identifying benefits consistent with family and cultural values, using social media for education, support and modelling, on campus supervised physical activity sessions integrated with the academic timetable, low-cost women-only opportunities in the local residential area, and support for home-based activities.

ERS International Congress, Madrid, 2019: highlights from the Allied Respiratory Professionals' Assembly.

This article provides an overview of outstanding sessions that were (co)organised by the Allied Respiratory Professionals' Assembly during the European Respiratory Society International Congress 2019 in Madrid, Spain. Session content was mainly targeted at allied respiratory professionals such as respiratory physiologists, respiratory physiotherapists and respiratory nurses, and is summarised in this document. Short take-home messages related to pulmonary function testing highlight the importance of quality control. Furthermore, novel findings regarding the assessment of functional status call attention to bodily factors that can affect functional status. Regarding pulmonary rehabilitation, data were presented about the use of equipment and type of exercise training in COPD and lung cancer. Recent developments in physical activity-related research give insight in enablers of physical activity after hospital admission. The importance of integrated respiratory care was also highlighted, with the occupational therapist, nurse, and nutritional and psychological counsellor playing a pivotal role, which relates directly to research in the field of respiratory nursing that formulates the need for more nursing led-interventions in the future. To conclude, this review provides readers with valuable insight into some of the emerging and future areas affecting clinical practice of allied healthcare professionals.

Is Exercise Extra? A Mixed Methods Examination of Cultural Barriers and Enablers of Physical Activity in Management of Type 2 Diabetes in M’Bour, Senegal

Objective:
 This study seeks to produce culturally-attuned recommendations for disease management in individuals with type 2 diabetes in M’Bour, Senegal.
 Methods:
 The PEN-3 Cultural Model (PEN-3) framed this mixed methods study to capture a) the qualitative barriers and enablers to participating in physical activity through narrative interviews; as well as b) the quantitative extent to which participants engaged in physical activity through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Content analysis identified emergent themes from interviews and descriptive statistics summarized IPAQ responses.
 Results:
 Among 41 individuals formally diagnosed with diabetes, the mean age was 58 (SD=11.8). Results elicited from PEN-3 included several barriers and enablers to physical activity. Barriers included prohibitive costs of gym membership and exercise equipment; limb pain; and feeling ill. Participants reported walking as their main source of exercise, with an average frequency of 4 days per week (SD=2.8). Although patients reported a lack of others with whom to exercise, familial support aided in maintaining exercise behaviors such as walking.
 Conclusions:
 Given participants’ need for exercise companions, group-based activities ​may be useful. Patients with diabetes may also benefit from complimentary home-based exercises that are gentle and pain alleviating.

The Needs of Type 2 Diabetes Patients for Physical Activity Programming: A Qualitative Study at a Yogyakarta Hospital Clinic

Physical activity programs offered in Indonesian hospitals are often inadequate to help type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients meet international physical activity recommendations. This study aimed to identify T2D patients’ physical activity enablers and barriers, their preferences for, and experiences with, physical activity programming, with a view to developing future programs that are suited to these patients’ needs and preferences. Four focus groups were conducted with 28 patients (50% female) of the T2D clinic at the Local General Hospital of Yogyakarta. Discussions were thematically analysed in NVivo 10. The most reported types of physical activity were walking and participation in the hospital-based exercise program. Participants were motivated to be physically active for the health benefits and for social interactions. The main barriers to physical activity were a lack of enjoyment, the absence of knowledge about appropriate activities for T2D patients, and a shortage of time due to social and family obligations. Based on study participants’ preferences, future physical activity programs need to include educational components, regular clinical evaluations, consultations with health educators, and efforts to increase the reach of the programs. This study provides practical suggestions for physical activity programming that meet the needs of T2D patients in Indonesia.

A qualitative exploration of barriers and enablers of healthy lifestyle engagement for older Australians with intellectual disabilities

Older Australians with intellectual disabilities experience high rates of lifestyle-related illness, yet generally have poor diets and participate in limited physical activity. Eliciting the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities and support workers may inform interventions to support healthy lifestyles. A semi-structured focus group question framework was developed to investigate participants’ experiences of barriers and enablers of physical activity and healthy eating. Data from focus groups with paid support workers (n = 6) and people with intellectual disabilities (n = 8) aged 60 + years were analysed within this framework. Similarities and differences between perspectives were explored. Both groups perceived decreased physical activity as an inevitable aspect of ageing. Health problems and environmental constraints were also identified. Embedding physical activity into daily routines, providing choices, and viewing exercise as beneficial, were highlighted as enablers across groups. Support workers, but not people with intellectual disabilities, identified barriers to healthy eating including use of “junk” food to manage behaviour and lack of message consistency between care providers. Financial and human resource barriers were also highlighted by support workers. Both carers and people with intellectual disabilities may benefit from specialised support to adapt healthy lifestyle interventions for people as they age. Behavioural management strategies unrelated to food should be promoted. Organisational and policy-level commitment are needed to ensure that healthy lifestyle programs are adequately resourced to meet the needs of the ageing population with intellectual disabilities.

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus want clear and practical messages from credible sources about physical activity during pregnancy: a qualitative study.

What are the attitudes of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) towards physical activity during pregnancy? What are the perceived barriers to and enablers of physical activity during pregnancy in women with GDM? A qualitative study with phenomenology and interpretative description as theoretical frameworks. Pregnant women experiencing an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy, diagnosed with GDM, and aged 18 to 40 years were recruited using purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and returned to participants for member checking. Three researchers independently and thematically analysed the qualitative data using an inductive method. Data were coded and compared, and themes were developed, discussed and defined. Recruitment continued until data saturation. Emergent themes were sent to participants and peer reviewed for confirmation. The participants were 27 women, with mean age 32 years (SD 3), mean gestation 30 weeks (SD 5), mean pre-pregnancy body mass index 26 kg/m2 (SD 5), and born in 10 different countries. The process of communicating information about physical activity (messaging) was the main theme to emerge. Sub-themes included: wanting information about physical activity from credible sources; wanting clear, specific information about safe physical activity during a GDM pregnancy; receiving information at GDM diagnosis because this event triggered women's desire to be more physically active; understanding why physical activity is important to improving outcomes for themselves and their babies; and wanting information about flexible, convenient and practical physical activity options. To feel confident and safe about being physically active during pregnancy, women with GDM wanted clear, simple and GDM-specific messages from credible sources. Health professionals can support women with a GDM pregnancy with targeted physical activity messages.

Physical Activity Among Adolescents in India: A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Enablers.

Inadequate physical activity (PA) levels are reported in Indian youth, with lowest levels among adolescents, particularly girls. We aimed to identify barriers to and enablers of PA among school children in New Delhi and examine potential differences by gender and school type (government vs. private). A total of 174 students (private school students = 88, 47% girls; government school students = 86, 48% girls) aged 12 to 16 years from two Delhi schools participated in 16 focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted by bilingual moderators. We conducted FGDs separately for girls and boys, for students in Grades VIII and IX, and for private and government schools. We conducted FGDs among government school students in Hindi and translated the transcriptions to English for analysis. We coded transcriptions using a combination of inductive and deductive approaches, guided by the "youth physical activity promotion model." We identified various personal, social, and environmental barriers and enablers. Personal barriers: Private school girls cited body image-related negative consequences of PA participation. Social barriers: Girls from both schools faced more social censure for participating in PA. Environmental barriers: Reduced opportunity for PA in schools was commonly reported across all participants. Personal enablers: All participants reported perceived health benefits of PA. Social enablers: Several participants mentioned active parents and sports role models as motivators for increasing PA. Few environmental enablers were identified. This study highlights the need for further investment in physical activity within schools and for gender-sensitive policies for encouraging PA participation among adolescents in India.

Experiences and Perceptions of Physical Activity Among South Asian and Anglo-Australians With Type 2 Diabetes or Cardiovascular Disease: Implications for Clinical Practice.

Research indicates that there are worryingly low levels of physical activity among South Asians compared with Anglo-Australians with type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD). We compared perceptions, barriers, and enablers of physical activity in these groups. We used a qualitative design, conducting in-depth, semistructured iterative interviews in Victoria with 57 South Asian and Anglo-Australian participants with either type 2 diabetes or CVD. While both groups exhibited knowledge of the value of physical activity in health maintenance and disease management, they wished for more specific and culturally tailored advice from clinicians about the type, duration, and intensity of physical activity required. Physical activity identities were tied to ethnic identities, with members of each group aspiring to meet the norms of their culture regarding engagement with physical activity as specific exercise or as incidental exercise. Individual personal exercise was deemed important by Anglo-Australians whereas South Asians preferred family-based physical activity.

Perceived barriers and enablers of physical activity in postpartum women: a qualitative approach.

BackgroundPostpartum women’s recovery from birth can be assisted through increased physical activity (PA). However, women face substantial barriers to participating in exercise and require support to enable them to benefit from increased PA.MethodsThis study sought to explore women’s beliefs about and experiences of PA and exercise during the 6 weeks to 12 months postpartum period. A cohort of 14 postpartum women from a survey study of the barriers and enablers to exercise participation agreed to take part in interview sessions to provide an in-depth understanding of the women’s perceptions of the postpartum period and their physical activity during this time.ResultsFindings are presented with reference to the social ecological framework and indicate postpartum women face substantial personal and environmental barriers to PA and exercise participation: fatigue, a lack of motivation and confidence, substantial time constraints, lack of access to affordable and appropriate activities and poor access to public transport. In contrast, enablers such as possessing greater social support, in particular partner support, improved PA and exercise participation.ConclusionsThe findings encourage facilitation of exercise through mothers’ groups, mothers’ exercise clubs or postnatal classes suggesting behavioral and social change is needed. Interaction between individuals, community, organizations and policy makers is required. In addition, the provision of specifically tailored and appropriate exercise programs could potentially enable increased PA in postpartum women, thereby improving their health.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0908-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Barriers to and Enablers of Physical Activity in Indian Adolescents

Barriers to and Enablers of Physical Activity in Indian Adolescents

Barriers to and enablers of physical activity in patients with COPD following a hospital admission: a qualitative study

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a persistent blockage of airflow, prompting episodes of shortness of breath, commonly leading to hospitalization. Hospitalization may lead to a decline in physical activity following discharge. Physical activity has been shown to improve symptoms of COPD and reduce readmissions, and to decrease morbidity and mortality. This study aims to explore, from the perspectives of people with COPD, the barriers to and enablers of participation in physical activity following hospitalization for COPD.MethodsThis study had a qualitative descriptive design and included semistructured interviews with 28 adult COPD patients who had been admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of exacerbation of COPD.ResultsA plethora of barriers to but fewer enablers of participation in physical activity and pulmonary rehabilitation were identified for this cohort of people. The main barriers identified were health-related (comorbidities, COPD symptoms, and physical injury or illness) environment-related (weather, transport, and finance), and self-related. The main enabling factors reported were access to health professionals and equipment, social support, routine and extracurricular activities, personal goals and motivation, and the effect of physical activity and “feeling better”.ConclusionThis research provides a snapshot of the barriers to and enablers of physical activity and pulmonary rehabilitation in people with COPD. It is evident that there are significant barriers which hinder the ability of people with COPD to undertake and continue participation in physical activity and pulmonary rehabilitation. While there are some enablers that may counter these barriers, it is clear that health professionals dealing with people suffering from COPD need to actively recognize and address barriers to physical activity and pulmonary rehabilitation. Hospital admission may create an opportunity for implementation of interventions promoting physical activity (such as referral to pulmonary rehabilitation), which may assist in reducing hospital readmission, as well as decreasing morbidity and mortality.

Barriers and Enablers to Physical Activity Among Older Australians Who Want to Increase Their Physical Activity Levels

Physical activity interventions targeting older adults are optimized if barriers and enablers are better understood. This study identified barriers and enablers of physical activity and examined whether these were associated with meeting physical activity recommendations. 2225 adults aged 65 years and above who perceived themselves to be insufficiently active but would like to be more physically active self-reported their barriers and enablers to physical activity in the 2009 New South Wales Falls Prevention Survey. Binary logistic regression analyses examined associations between barriers and enablers and meeting the physical activity recommendation. After adjusting for gender, age, BMI, and education, people who listed ill health (52%; OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.70) as a barrier or who listed people to exercise with (4%; OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.88) as an enabler had significantly lower odds of meeting recommendations. Those citing too expensive (3%) as a barrier (OR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.11 to 3.87) or who listed nothing will help (29%; OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.77) and making time to be active (9%; OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.58) as enablers had significantly higher odds of meeting physical activity recommendations. These findings give insights into older adults' perceptions of factors that influence their physical activity, which could assist physical activity program planning in this population.

Office-Based Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention: Barriers, Enablers, and Preferred Strategies for Workplace Obesity Prevention, Perth, Western Australia, 2012

IntroductionWorkplace health promotion programs to prevent overweight and obesity in office-based employees should be evidence-based and comprehensive and should consider behavioral, social, organizational, and environmental factors. The objective of this study was to identify barriers to and enablers of physical activity and nutrition as well as intervention strategies for health promotion in office-based workplaces in the Perth, Western Australia, metropolitan area in 2012.MethodsWe conducted an online survey of 111 employees from 55 organizations. The online survey investigated demographics, individual and workplace characteristics, barriers and enablers, intervention-strategy preferences, and physical activity and nutrition behaviors. We used χ2 and Mann–Whitney U statistics to test for differences between age and sex groups for barriers and enablers, intervention-strategy preferences, and physical activity and nutrition behaviors. Stepwise multiple regression analysis determined factors that affect physical activity and nutrition behaviors.ResultsWe identified several factors that affected physical activity and nutrition behaviors, including the most common barriers (“too tired” and “access to unhealthy food”) and enablers (“enjoy physical activity” and “nutrition knowledge”). Intervention-strategy preferences demonstrated employee support for health promotion in the workplace. ConclusionThe findings provide useful insights into employees’ preferences for interventions; they can be used to develop comprehensive programs for evidence-based workplace health promotion that consider environmental and policy influences as well as the individual.

Community group exercise versus physiotherapist-led home-based physical activity program: barriers, enablers and preferences in middle-aged adults

Background/Purpose: Barriers and enablers of physical activity have been investigated, but it remains unclear what middle-aged adults’ physical activity preferences are. Two physical activity interventions were compared to determine barriers, enablers and preferences for physical activity format in sedentary, community-dwelling 50- to 65-year-olds. Methods: Using mixed methods, 37 Physical Activity at Home (PAAH) participants took part in focus groups at the end of the intervention period and completed the Active Australia Survey (AAS). Participants were divided into three sub-groups: (1) group exercise attendees (GA, n = 14); (2) group exercise non-attendees (GNA, n = 9); and (3) physiotherapist-led home-based physical activity program attendees (HB, n = 14). Focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed, coded and analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Thirty-seven exit telephone calls with GNA were included in the analysis. Results: Cost, self-efficacy, work and carer commitments were major themes identified for GA and GNA. HB participants reported fewer barriers and a number of enablers, including flexibility of the program and physiotherapist instruction. HB and GNA were younger than GA (p< 0.05), more likely to be in paid employment and GNA participants were insufficiently active (p ≤ 0.01). All participants preferred some home-based physical activity, although a variety of formats was indicated. Conclusion: The barriers, enablers and preferences indicate that the physiotherapist-led home-based physical activity program with initial face-to-face contact and telephone support may increase the adoption and maintenance of physical activity in middle-aged adults, particularly for those not interested in, or unable to attend, group exercise.

Towards a comprehensive understanding of women's physical activity behaviour postpartum: Implications for intervention design

Introduction: Women going through the major life transition of motherhood experience significant physical, psychological, social and lifestyle changes, including a decrease in physical activity (PA) behaviour, which compromises maternal health. The aim of this study was to understand the determinants of PA among postnatal women in order to inform intervention design. Methods: semi-structured in-depth telephone interviews amongst a purposively recruited sample of 30 postnatal women. Interview questions were based on a socio-ecological framework and analysed through a feminist lens. Questions focused on changes in PA behaviour, general barriers and enablers of PA, individual factors, social and physical environmental factors influencing PA behaviour, and intervention suggestions. Results: Individual factors (e.g. life changes related to motherhood, physical and psychological well being, self-efficacy, motivation, and priority), social environmental factors (social support and social capital) and the physical environment (e.g. neighbourhood safety, availability and accessibility of paths and PA facilities, and enjoyable scenery) influenced women’s PA behaviour during the postnatal phase. Struggles identified by the feminist analysis, which inhibited PA, included: 1) social role strain, 2) being active for health and enjoyment as well as improved body image, 3) breastfeeding in public, and 4) fulfilling own and baby’s needs. Discussion: Existing behavioural change theories do not sufficiently explain women’s PA behaviour during the postnatal period. Their unique needs ought to be addressed in order to increase PA behaviour and wellbeing during this phase of a woman’s life. Strategy suggestions include improving informational support for health professionals; increasing PA groups; increasing companionship from partner, family and friends; social networking; partner involvement and support; environmental aesthetics; safety; path accessibility and connectivity; improving maternal skills in primigravidas; encouraging women to perceive and experience PA as enjoyable; supporting breastfeeding in public; and assisting women in finding a balance between social responsibilities and self-care.