Environmental Influences on Physical Activity in Rural Midwestern Adults

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.

Perceived Resources and Environmental Correlates of Domain-Specific Physical Activity in Rural Midwestern Adults

“…In comparison, the state of Iowa is 94% white and 50.4% female. 16 Approximately 56 % were classified as overweight or obese according to their BMI (> 25), which is lower than the state average of 63 %. 18 …”

“…Prior focus groups with rural adults revealed that unpaved/gravel/dusty roads were common in this area, making it difficult to ride bicycles on them. 16 In addition, these roads did not contain shoulders, 16 which may have contributed to perceived feelings of the roads being unsafe for PA use. Participants in this study identified PA resources they were aware of and used in their county, and while awareness of the resources was high, use of the resources was not.…”

“…Based on results from previously conducted focus groups among rural adults in the same communities targeted in this study, 16 three items were included in the modified instrument asking about the perceptions of whether schools and other community buildings should be open to the public to allow community members to engage in exercise or be more active. Finally, research has shown that rural adults may lack awareness of community PA resources, 11 and a new question was developed to measure awareness.…”

Exploring beliefs around physical activity among older adults in rural Canada

“…Previously published evidence supports the facilitating elements of safety and support. Chrisman, Nothwehr, Yang, and Oleson (2015) conducted three focus groups among 19 rural residents and concluded that safe communities, low crime rate, as well as low traffic rates, influenced physical activity. Chrisman et al also reported that older adults living in a perceived safe neighborhood were twice as likely to be physically active.…”

“…For example, in one recent qualitative study of older adults, Clancy, Balteskard, Perander, and Mahler (2015) concluded that in the experience of falls and falling, “participants’ stories reveals life courage and endurance and is more about getting up, staying up, and moving on than falling down.” (p. 9). Several studies have reported that older adults perceived adverse weather including ice, cold, snow as well as extreme heat as barriers to participating in physical activity (Chrisman et al, 2015; Marquez et al, 2014; Witcher et al, 2007). Also related to weather in rural communities, Chrisman et al (2015) found that loose gravel and muddy roads inhibited physical activity among adults in the rural Midwest USA.…”