Download Free A Theoretical Approach To Understanding The Physical Activity Behavior Of African American College Women Book in PDF and EPUB Free Download. You can read online A Theoretical Approach To Understanding The Physical Activity Behavior Of African American College Women and write the review.

Abstract: The sedentary lifestyle prevalent among many women has manifested itself as a serious public health problem. Inactive lifestyle has been linked to obesity and chronic disease, both serious health care issues for women today, and a disproportionate burden from these conditions is borne by African American women. Despite all that has been learned from the application of behavioral change theories to physical activity, long-term success of interventions to initiate and maintain a physically active lifestyle among African American women has not been realized. This study aimed to contribute to further theory development and to inform future investigations of the most effective ways to assist inactive African American women in maintaining an active lifestyle. Interviews were conducted with 15 African American women between the ages of 25-45 who were physically active at nationally recommended levels for one year or more. Interview questions were open-ended and designed to elicit lengthy accounts from the women using their own words to describe their experiences with physical activity. Focus groups were held at the conclusion of the interviews to gather feedback on the findings from the participants. Grounded theory was used to guide the data collection and analysis process. Data derived inductively from the interviews and focus groups guided the development of a process theory of physical activity evolution. The Physical Activity Evolution process theory identifies three key phases in the adoption and maintenance process: Initiation, Transition, and Integration. The dynamic nature of long-term physical activity participation is exemplified by modification and cessation loops. Important context and conditions within which this process takes place also emerged from the study including planning methods, social support, benefits, and the influence of African American race/culture. This study has made an important contribution to knowledge of the evolution of physical activity participation among African American women. The concept of investigating health behaviors in context and among people who have successfully incorporated those behaviors into their daily lives should be further utilized in research studies. By studying women who have successfully adopted a behavior, strategies to overcome known barriers can be elucidated and applied to intervention planning for other women.
Based on the latest scientific research findings, ACSM’s Behavioral Aspects of Physical Activity and Exercise lays the theoretical foundation of behavior change and then provides specific strategies, tools, and methods to motivate and inspire clients to be active, exercise, and stay healthy. Developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and written by a team of leading experts in exercise science and motivation, this highly practical book provides step-by-step instructions to help fitness/health professionals and students master motivation techniques that have proven successful in helping clients adhere to an exercise program.
Winner of the 2018 Textbook & Academic Authors Association′s The McGuffey Longevity Award In the revised Fourth Edition of the best-selling text, John W. Creswell and new co-author Cheryl N. Poth explore the philosophical underpinnings, history, and key elements of five qualitative inquiry approaches: narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study. Preserving Creswell′s signature writing style, the authors compare the approaches and relate research designs to each of the traditions of inquiry in a highly accessible manner. Featuring new content, articles, pedagogy, references, and expanded coverage of ethics throughout, the Fourth Edition is an ideal introduction to the theories, strategies, and practices of qualitative inquiry.
In the United States, minorities are less physically active and in turn at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The purpose of my study is to examine the factors that influence physical activity in neighborhood parks and to answer: What aspects of park design and programming discourage physical activity participation in African American women? My goal is to identify barriers to physical activity and make recommendations for improving design and programming of a neighborhood park. The results of my research are relevant to the planning profession because planners can use public policy to combat inequality in the built environment. Many studies have related recreation access to socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, age, and gender. While African American women are not the only disadvantaged population when it comes to access to recreation, they do have a higher risk for obesity. In trying to answer why African American women have higher rates of obesity, some studies have found that while willingness to participate in physical activity does not differ in white and black women, duration of physical activity does. My research employs a mixed methods approach to understand the barriers to physical activity experienced by African American women, in context of a neighborhood park. This study uses a physical assessment of James Mulligan Park and the surrounding neighborhood within Alexandria, Virginia. Following the physical assessment I piloted a survey to gather information on the barriers to physical activity. The pilot guided a final survey of seventeen participating African American women in the neighborhood. I hypothesized that the perception of park safety will have an effect on the rate of physical activity in African American women. This hypothesis points to a general barrier for all women. Based on literature review, I also expected to find barriers unique to African American women. The study concluded that African American women in this neighborhood share some barriers with all women and they also expressed some barriers unique to African American women. I found that personal barriers like "exercise tires me" was the most common, rather than perceptions of safety. In addition, I found culturally specific barriers, such as "exercising is not my cultural activity" and "I avoid exercise to protect my hairstyle." Based on my analysis of the setting and surveys I make several recommendations for the park and neighborhood.