The Relationship of Perceived Benefits of and Barriers to Reported Exercise in Older African American Women

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the perceived benefits of and barriers to exercise of a convenience sample of older African American women in senior citizen centers in an urban area in the mid-South. This descriptive study utilized a convenience sample of older African American women over 60 years of age and examined the relationship among their current exercise levels, their perceptions regarding the importance of exercise, and the benefits of and barriers to engaging in regular exercise. The level of exercise was measured using the Exercise scale of the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), the perceptions of the importance of exercise were measured by a Cantril ladder, and the benefits of and barriers to exercise were measured by the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) and one open-ended question on perceived barriers. A significant relationship was found between reported exercise levels and perceived benefits of and barriers to exercise (p < 0.001). Benefits most cited by participants reflected those categorized as life enhancing. Barriers cited most often related to exercise accessibility and availability. Results of this study support the need for community-based exercise programs for specific populations. Nursing interventions are needed that help women in general and African American women in particular to adopt exercise as a daily health-promotive activity.

The Social Ecological Model and Physical Activity in African American Women

“…African American women were convinced of the utility of physical activity; a concern with disease prevention and the consequences of ill health was an expressed value of knowledge regarding physical activity. Jones and Nies (1996) found that African American women who perceived exercise to be beneficial and perceived few barriers to exercise engaged more frequently in activity. Statements of perceived benefit related to physical activity included feelings of decreased stress, enhanced physical performance, and increased social interaction.…”

“…In qualitative studies of physical activity and self-perceived health status, poor health is often cited as a barrier to participation in physical activity. Fatigue from exercise and the perceptions of exercise as "hard work" among African American women has been identified as a significant barrier to regular activity, which may reflect changes in functional status with age as well as the demands of required activities during the day (Ainsworth, Wilcox, Thompson, Richter, & Henderson, 2003;Jones & Nies, 1996;Nies, Vollman, & Cook, 1999). Eyler et al (1998) found that health concerns, primarily those related to chronic illness, were prevalent barriers to regular physical activity among minority women.…”

“…Lacking a safe place to exercise has been ranked as a primary barrier to participation in physical activity among African American women (Eyler et al, 1998;King et al, 2000). Focus group interviews with African American women identified barriers to physical activity as including fear of walking in the neighborhood among older women, lack of environmental resources for physical activity, lack of convenient facilities for activity, and lack of culturally specific physical activity (Jones & Nies, 1996;Nies et al, 1999;Eyler, 1998). Ainsworth et al (2003) identified barriers to exercise in the community perceived by African American women as including were lack of recreation facilities, not enough sidewalks, unattended dogs, and no street lighting.…”

“…Ainsworth et al (1991);Diez-Roux et al (1997) Motivation+++ Jones & Nies (1996);Mayo (1992);Eyler et al (1998); Henderson & Ainsworth (2003) Interpersonal resources Social support +++ Ainsworth et al (2003); Eyler et al (1998); Nies et al (2003); Banks-Wallace (2000); Hatch & Voorhoost (1992) Social norms ++ King et al (2000); Weaver & Gary (1996); Sanderson et al (2003) Community resources Access ++ Eyler et al (1998); King et al (2000); Nies et al (1999) Safety ++ Hesch et al (2000); Humpel et al (2002); Brownson et al (1996); Anderson et al (2003) Resources ++ Community capacity + Organizational resources Programs + Walcott-McQuigg et al (2001) Cost + Nies et al (1999) Workplace +Nies et al (1999) …”

Clinician perceptions of factors that enhance patient compliance in physical therapy

“…Jones and Nies (1996) conducted a study to determine the barriers perceived by African American women over 60 years of age. They found that exercise availability and accessibility were the most critical issues.…”