Physical activity experiences from the perspective of adolescent females in Northwestern Ontario communities

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Date
2009Author
Holden, Becky June
Subject
Teenage girls Recreation Ontario, NorthwesternPhysical fitness for youth Ontario, Northwestern
Physical fitness for girls Ontario, Northwestern
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Purpose: To explore the experiences of female youth residing in rural Northwestern Ontario
communities with physical activity and gain insight into ways to enhance opportunities for
females to be physically active. Background: Physical activity participation steadily declines as
females reach adolescence and there is significant gap between participation in physical activity
between males and females. The uniqueness of rural Northwestern Ontario communities may provide
additional motivators or barriers that affect physical activity participation that may help explain
the decline and differences between male and female behaviours. Methodology: Qualitative
research methods were used to collect data from participants. Six adolescent females, between 15-16
years old enrolled in at a public secondary school and who reside in rural communities within
Northwestern Ontario, voluntarily participated in this research study. Four females were from a
First Nation community and participated in a focus group. Two females participated in individual
face to face interviews and were from rural communities within the same district. Grounded
theory methods were used to analyze and report information collected through line by line coding
and allowing themes to emerge from participants' responses.
Findings: Participants shared that physical activity is influenced by a variety of factors and not
only one factor can contribute to behaviour change. Participants discussed existing
motivators and barriers and areas of where improvement is needed to increase participation in
physical activity among their population. Factors for participating in physical activity
included improving physical appearance, achieving a sense of personal accomplishment, influence of
peers and adult involvement, and the range and type of opportunities and resources available.
'Participants also provided valuable insight to enhance programs to increase physical activity
participation for
female adolescents.