Environmental influences on physical activity in rural Midwestern adults: a qualitative approach

Matthew Chrisman; Faryle Nothwehr; Ginger Yang; Jacob Oleson

doi:10.1177/1524839914524958

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Environmental influences on physical activity in rural Midwestern adults: a qualitative approach

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Environmental influences on physical activity in rural Midwestern adults: a qualitative approach

Matthew Chrisman, Faryle Nothwehr, Ginger Yang and Jacob Oleson

Health promotion practice, Vol.16(1), pp.142-148

01/2015

DOI: 10.1177/1524839914524958

PMCID: PMC4256125

PMID: 24662894

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http://doi.org/10.1177/1524839914524958View

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Abstract

Qualitative research can be used to examine multiple factors associated with physical activity and help practitioners identify language used by the rural adult population when discussing this behavior. Three focus groups were conducted among 19 residents of multiple towns in a rural Midwestern county to examine the language and influences on rural physical activity. Focus group members were asked to define physical activity, exercise, community, and neighborhood. They were asked about the activities they engaged in and facilitators and barriers to those activities. A guidebook was developed to capture major themes and common patterns that emerged in the responses to the topics discussed. The data were reviewed for repeated statements and points that were agreed on by multiple participants. Important factors associated with physical activity include the importance of social support and modeling physical activity behavior. Also, the influence of pets and children was important for engaging these adults in physical activity. The focus group members engaged in walking and bicycling in their neighborhood streets and community trails, and desired to see community buildings be open to the public for exercise. This study revealed contextual issues and culturally relevant language for practitioners to use in tailoring physical activity measurement tools or designing interventions for a rural adult population. Social support (specifically, seeing others being active and using pets as motivators for being active) and policy attitudes may be targeted for interventions to increase physical activity in rural adults.

Humans

Middle Aged

Focus Groups

Male

Social Environment

Socioeconomic Factors

Exercise

Health Promotion

Rural Population

Adult

Environment

Female

Aged

Qualitative Research

Details

Title: Subtitle: Environmental influences on physical activity in rural Midwestern adults: a qualitative approach
Creators: Matthew Chrisman - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA matthew.chrisman@ttu.edu
Faryle Nothwehr - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Ginger Yang - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Jacob Oleson - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Health promotion practice, Vol.16(1), pp.142-148
DOI: 10.1177/1524839914524958
PMID: 24662894
PMCID: PMC4256125
NLM abbreviation: Health Promot Pract
ISSN: 1524-8399
eISSN: 1552-6372
Publisher: United States
Grant note: P30 CA086862 / NCI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 01/2015
Academic Unit: Biostatistics; Community and Behavioral Health
Record Identifier: 9983997996702771

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