ERIC Number: EJ1240182
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Qualitative Exploration of Womens' Experiences Who Belong to a "Fitness Community"
Carter, Andrew; Alexander, Adam C.
American Journal of Health Education, v51 n1 p22-30 2020
Background: A promising method for improving physical inactivity among women is to increase their engagement in group-based exercise programs. Fitness communities are exercise groups that practice the principles of group dynamics and promote a lifestyle of physical activity by engaging members through social media and hosting social event/hangouts outside of the gym or "fitness" setting. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of "fitness communities" as a mechanism for increasing engagement in physical activity. Methods: In-depth, semi-structured interviews (N = 15) from women who were members of an established fitness community (i.e. Titan Fitness; the original name has been changed for purposes of anonymity) in Southern California. Results: Results suggested that the women's experiences in Titan Fitness were encompassed by six sub-themes which were the following: "Structured Exercise Classes with Group Dynamics": (1) personal and group accountability and (2) minimizing intimidation; "Social Media Engagement": (3) empowerment and (4) accountability via online engagement; and "Engagement Outside of the Physical Gym Setting": (5) in-group engagement and (6) out-group (extended) engagement. Discussion: Our findings illustrated that community members that were engaged in all three components of a fitness community described improved physical activity adherence. Translation to Health Practice: These findings may benefit fitness professionals, researchers, and Health Education practitioners who desire to develop innovative theoretically-based interventions for women having difficulty with physical activity adherence.
Descriptors: Females, Physical Fitness, Social Media, Group Dynamics, Physical Activity Level, Exercise, Recreational Facilities, Role, Communities of Practice, Group Membership, Empowerment, Accountability, Computer Mediated Communication, Program Descriptions
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A