Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity Among High School Freshman Females

Authors

  • Morgan D. Halyk University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science
  • Danielle R. Brittain University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science
  • Mary K. Dinger University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science
  • E. Laurette Taylor University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science
  • Jordan N. Shephard University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science

Keywords:

Barriers, Physical activity, Youth

Abstract

Although participation in physical activity results in health benefits, the majority of freshman high school females are not sufficiently active. Based on social cognitive theory, barriers may impede participation in physical activity. The purpose of this study was to identify perceived general and population-specific personal and situational barriers to participation in physical activity among insufficiently active high school freshman females. Participants were 24 mostly White high school freshman females aged 12-14 years who participated in one of four 40-minute focus groups. Participants reported numerous general barriers identified in previous research including fatigue and safety. Several population-specific barriers were also reported including increased expectations of high school coaches and high school policies not allowing athletes to enroll in PE. Future research should include the identification of relevant population-specific and general barriers, including the frequency of occurrence and extent of limitation of barriers, among a diverse sample of high school freshman females.

 

 

Même si les bienfaits de santé de l’activité physique sont bien connus, la plupart des étudiantes de première année du secondaire ne sont pas assez actives. D’après la théorie cognitive sociale, certains obstacles peuvent décourager la participation à l’activité physique. Cette étude vise à déterminer les obstacles personnels et situationnels généraux et particuliers qui se posent à un groupe de filles de la première année du secondaire et qui semblent les empêcher d’être plus actives. L’étude porte sur 24 étudiantes de première année du secondaire âgées de 12 à 14 ans et surtout de race blanche. Ces dernières ont participé à l’un des quatre groupes de consultation de 40 minutes et fait état d’un grand nombre d’obstacles mentionnés dans des études antérieures, y compris la fatigue et la sécurité. Plusieurs obstacles propres au groupe ont aussi été mentionnés, dont les attentes de plus en plus fortes qui s’exercent sur les entraîneurs du secondaire et la politique des écoles secondaires qui interdit aux athlètes de s’inscrire aux cours d’éducation physique. Les futures recherches devraient inclure l’identification des obstacles pertinents à un groupe spécifique et les obstacles de nature plus générale, y compris la fréquence des occurrences et l’importance des obstacles chez un échantillon diversifié de jeunes  étudiantes de première année du secondaire.

Author Biographies

Morgan D. Halyk, University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science

Morgan D. Halyk, MS is a former Masters student in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma.

Danielle R. Brittain, University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science

Danielle R. Brittain, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma.

Mary K. Dinger, University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science

Mary K. Dinger, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma.

E. Laurette Taylor, University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science

E. Laurette Taylor, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma.

Jordan N. Shephard, University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science

Jordan N. Shephard, BS is a Masters student in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma.

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Published

2010-11-19

Issue

Section

Feature Articles / Articles de fond