Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity and Sport Participation Experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Adults: A Mixed Method Review

Abstract

Physical activity has cultural significance and population health benefits. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults may experience challenges in participating in physical activity. This mixed methods systematic review aimed to synthetize existing evidence on facilitators and barriers for physical activity participation experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in Australia. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was used. A systematic search was undertaken of 11 databases and 14 grey literature websites during 2020. The included studies reported physical activity facilitators and barriers experienced by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander participants aged 18+ years, living in the community. Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-two facilitators were identified: 23 individual, 18 interpersonal, 8 community/environmental and 13 policy/program facilitators. Additionally, 63 barriers were identified: 21 individual, 17 interpersonal, 15 community/environmental and 10 policy/program barriers. Prominent facilitators included support from family, friends, and program staff, and opportunities to connect with community or culture. Prominent barriers included a lack of transport, financial constraints, lack of time, and competing work, family or cultural commitments. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults experience multiple facilitators and barriers to physical activity participation. Strategies to increase participation should seek to enhance facilitators and address barriers, collaboratively with communities, with consideration to the local context.

The Barriers and Facilitators of Sport and Physical Activity Participation for Aboriginal Children in Rural New South Wales, Australia: A Photovoice Project

“…Children discussed their family members (parents or siblings) who participated in sport and their sporting achievements as supporting and encouraging their physical activity. This factor is also a prominent facilitator for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults' physical activity participation [ 3 ]. Aboriginal people view physical activity as a collective occupation providing connections with others and the wider community [ 33 ].…”

“…Participants’ enjoyment and desire to participate in physical activity led them to hold aspirations for their community, including how space can be utilized to build community facilities such as a new basketball court. Enjoyment of sport and a desire to remain physically active have also been identified as facilitators to physical activity participation by Aboriginal adults [ 3 , 34 ]. As such, strategies to increase physical activity should explore options where children can also socialize with their peers or within an environment that encourages social connection.…”

“…Transport disadvantage is common for Aboriginal people due to lack of access to and affordability of private and public transport options [ 38 ], particularly for those living in rural and remote parts of Australia. Lack of transport has been identified as a key barrier to physical activity and sports participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults [ 3 ]. The costs of public bus services in rural NSW have been found to be substantially higher than metropolitan areas and are more than residents are able to afford [ 39 ].…”

“…The inability to afford to participate in physical activity, including organized sports due to low income, has been noted by young rural Aboriginal people [ 12 ]. Aboriginal adults have also stated that the high cost of sports participation relative to their income is a very significant barrier to accessing physical activity opportunities [ 3 , 34 ]. While costs are also cited as a top barrier for other Australian children [ 40 ], additional financial barriers exist for Aboriginal people who experience socioeconomic disadvantage more than other Australians and possess a lower weekly household income compared to other households [ 5 ].…”

“…This inequity was sustained over the subsequent 200 or more years by a series of racist Australian policy eras resulting in marginalization, disadvantage, and extreme poverty [ 1 ]. One of the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has been a decline in physical activity levels [ 3 ], contributing to poor health, including the development of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes [ 4 ]. Chronic diseases represent 70% of the gap in disease burden between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Aboriginal Australians [ 5 ].…”