Young women's leisure time physical activity determinants: a mixed methods approach

Uxue Fernandez-Lasa; Olaia Eizagirre-Sagastibeltza; Ruth Cayero; Estibaliz Romaratezabala; Judit Martínez-Abajo; Oidui Usabiaga

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1281681

Young women's leisure time physical activity determinants: a mixed methods approach

Front Psychol. 2024 Feb 16:15:1281681. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1281681. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Uxue Fernandez-Lasa¹, Olaia Eizagirre-Sagastibeltza¹, Ruth Cayero², Estibaliz Romaratezabala¹, Judit Martínez-Abajo³, Oidui Usabiaga¹

Affiliations

¹ Society, Sport and Physical Activity Research Group (GIKAFIT), Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
² Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
³ Department of Musical, Plastic and Physical Expression Didactics, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to analyze the habits, motives and barriers related to Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) among young women of Gipuzkoa, from a mixed approach.

Methods: A total of 526 women aged 18-29 (24.60 ± 3.30 years) responded to the Gipuzkoa Women's Physical Activity Questionnaire (GWPAQ), seven of which were later interviewed.

Results: The main motives for LTPA were intrapersonal - related to health and enjoyment - and to interpersonal networks. However, the main barriers facing LTPA were mostly intrapersonal, such as lack of time, tiredness, and laziness. Contextual factors such as the availability of safe spaces, previous negative experiences, or negative self-perception of motor competence also emerged as conditioning factors in young women's LTPA habits.

Discussion: This study may help to promote policies aimed at incentivizing LTPA for young women based on their needs and interests, by addressing the diversity of factors.

Keywords: barriers; exercise; feminism; leisure; motivations; socioecological approach.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was funded by GIPUZKOA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL—DIPUTACIÓN FORAL DE GIPUZKOA in the frame of “Investigación aplicada para la promoción de la actividad física en la población de Guipuzcoa” (2020.0662).