Factors influencing physical activity

Understanding factors influencing participation in physical activity Individual factors Demographic factors (e.g. age, gender, socioeconomic status) Environmental factors Social environment Physical Environment Barriers to physical activity

Factors influencing physical activity Individual and demographic factors Age ↑age = ↓ in physical activity Gender Males are generally more active than females – particularly in relation to vigorous activity Socioeconomic status (education and income) ↑income and/or final year of education = ↑ in physical activity Self-efficacy (self-esteem) ↑self-efficacy = ↑ in physical activity Cultural Background National Surveys conducted in Australia found that people from Non-English speaking backgrounds are at a higher risk of being inactive.

Record the percentage of: Males participating in sport Females participating in sport Australians participating in sport

Discuss factors which could account for the differences in the number of males compared to females participating in sport. Identifying the need to engage adolescent girls in physical activity, programs are being developed in school settings to promote and encourage girls to be physically active. Are there large numbers of females participating in sports at your school? Are girls in your school setting encouraged to be physically active? Discuss. What strategies could be used in the school setting to promote the involvement of girls in physical activity? Discuss.

Environmental factors Climate ↑sunshine and warm weather = ↑ in physical activity Time spent outdoors ↑time spent outdoors = ↑ in physical activity Access to equipment or facilities ↑access to equipment and facilities = ↑ in physical activity

Social environment Social and parental support Dog ownership ↑ support = ↑ in physical activity Dog ownership If you own a dog you are more likely to be physically active Parental modelling If your parents are physically active you are more likely to be physically active

Physical Environment Transport Parklands Walking and cycling tracks Easy transport access = ↑ in physical activity Parklands ↑parks = ↑ in physical activity Walking and cycling tracks ↑walking and cycling tracks = ↑ in physical activity Recreational facilities (skate parks, playgrounds etc.) ↑recreational facilities = ↑ in physical activity

Barriers to participation in physical activity Barriers are generally considered factors that make it difficult to do something. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M70ujpNYqP4

Categories and examples of barriers Perceived Barrier Examples Time constraints and competing roles Personal physical and psychological health Individual (internal factors) External factors Being a parent or partner Caregiving of family members Occupational Roles Roles within the relationships (picking up groceries, completing chores around the home/garden Chronic diseases including diabetes, depression, back pain, injury or arthritis Lack of self-efficacy, motivation, interest Lack of energy, due to fatigue Health problems Lack of social support from family, friends or partner Body weight or perception of appearance Lack of local activity facilities, or transport to important destinations (e.g. beach, parks, fitness centre) Cost of programs and access to facilities Poor weather, hilly terrain or lack of safety

General reasons people are inactive Lack of time Dislike of exercise Feeling too tired Lack of company Lack of money

Barriers according to type of physical activity We cannot assume that the types of barriers to all forms of physical activity are the same. The barriers to walking may be different from the barriers to more vigorous activities such as jogging. Common barriers to vigorous physical activity include: Feeling self-conscious Lack of energy Disliking or discomfort associated with strenuous exercise Lack of financial resources.

Population specific barriers Males Females Youth and adolescents Aged Disabled Rural locations Urban locations Diverse ethnic groups Indigenous Australians Overweight and Obese Have students work with a partner or group of 3 and present their findings back to the class. FEMALES – gender stereotyping YOUTH – peers, parents, curriculum, school pressure, self concept, support, interests, bad experiences, fear of failure, role modelling AGED – health level, disease, education, fear of falls DISABLED – access, confidence, community acceptance RURAL – facilities, transport URBAN – crime, traffic, design, pollution, density ETHNIC – language, choice, dress codes, racism, money INDIGENOUS – money, education, attitudes OVERWEIGHT – health, energy, embarassment

Case study Yang, aged 24 years old, is a newly arrived immigrant from Vietnam. Yang is a dentist and travelled to Australia for a new job opportunity. She travelled to Australia alone and has no family here. Explain why Yang may find it difficult to be active initially. John, aged 47 years old, weighs 165kg and is classified as obese for his 178cm height. Describe 3 barriers John would need to overcome in order to be active. Yang may find it difficult, initially, to be active because she has no form of social support. Additionally, some of the more common sporting activities she engaged in in Vietnam may not exist in Australia. Potential barriers include: Being embarrassed to exercise in public or in front of others. Discomfort. Clothing, because many sporting and activity clothing labels are not designed to fit larger frames. Criticism from others can deter people. Unfortunately, some people find it amusing to belittle or bully overweight people by name-calling or yelling comments from moving vehicles as they pass a person exercising.

Overcoming barriers to physical activity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpfHg6Que7E How would you overcome the barriers of: Lack of time Lack of interest Lack of money Lack of health or fitness Lack of facilities Lack of motivation Weather conditions? Strategies to overcome barriers to physical activity should be specific to each population group or sub- group. Time – use a diary to analyse how much spare time you actually have. Use short bursts of p.a. Incidental p.a. Interest – exercise with a friend, exercise equipment at home Money – choose activities like running/walking that do not require equipment, local gym prices – free intro. Sessions Health – choose an activity that feels comfortable, start slowly, medical professional Facilities – take advantage of free local facilities Motivation – have a purpose for doing it, join a group, plan ahead Weather – indoor and outdoor activities to choose from, choose weather-specific activities.

Barriers to being active quiz