Social Support and Body Image in Group Physical Activity Programs for Older Women

Women's body image experiences in the context of personal training in the UK: A qualitative diary study

Research in sport and exercise settings suggests that physical activity leaders have the potential to influence body image for their athletes and exercisers. However, research is yet to explore this possibility in the context of one-to-one exercise relationships. The present study sought to explore women's body image in the context of personal training, specifically how women perceive the language and behaviours of their personal trainers as influencing their thoughts and feelings about their bodies. Seventeen women (aged 45-64) sent diary entries via WhatsApp after each personal training session over a period of four weeks. Each participant then took part in a semi-structured interview to elaborate on their diary entries and their overall experiences of their body in the context of their personal training sessions. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis from a critical-realist perspective. Four themes were generated: (1) "We're all different, aren't we?": Permission to be me, (2) "Dial it back accordingly": Confidence through responsiveness, (3) A mutual focus on function, and (4) Supporting connection with the body through movement. Findings provide insight into how interpersonal relationships within exercise settings contribute to women's body image and suggest ways in which personal trainers could promote positive body image through their interactions with their clients.

Physical activity and functional social support in community-dwelling older adults: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Globally, the population of older people is increasing and is estimated to reach nearly 2.1 billion by 2050. Physical activity (PA) is one of the key components for successful ageing. However, PA decreases with age and many older adults do not meet PA guidelines. Previous research has shown that social support (SOSU) is related to PA in older people. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and map all of the available evidence and to explore the association between functional SOSU and PA in older adults. Functional SOSU consists of emotional, informational, instrumental and companionship SOSU and social comparison.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna-Briggs manual. Quantitative and qualitative studies investigating associations between functional SOSU and PA levels in older adults (mean age ≥ 60 years) were identified through a systematic search in seven electronic databases up to August 2023. After removing duplicates, 20,907 articles were screened for titles and abstracts. The results were analysed separately for different types of SOSU.

RESULTS

116 articles met the inclusion criteria; 72% were quantitative studies and 28% were qualitative studies. Most studies used self-reported PA measures, only 23% of the studies used objective-reported PA measures. Most studies of SOSU for PA reported positive associations but the evidence is inconclusive when the source of support is considered. PA is positively associated with general, emotional, informational, and companionship SOSU, while instrumental support may occasionally be negatively associated. Companionship support is particularly influential on PA, especially in group settings, as it promotes social connectedness. Qualitative studies show that social comparison also supports PA. Different forms of SOSU generally show positive associations with PA.

CONCLUSIONS

While the evidence on the association between functional SOSU and PA is mixed, most studies show that there is a positive association. PA may also be a strategy for improving social contact and social integration. This study offers a comprehensive overview of measures for SOSU and PA and thereby informs future research and policy-making.

Determinants of physical activity behavior among older adults with subjective cognitive decline based on the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior model: mediating and moderating effects

Background

PA is vital for secondary prevention in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), but their physical activity (PA) levels are low, and the underlying interaction pathways among associated factors are poorly understood. This study aims to identify mediating and moderating effects of determinants on PA behavior in older adults with SCD using the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior model.

Methods

Following the STROBE checklist, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 289 older adults with SCD. Path regression, mediation effects, and moderation effects were used to explore the associated factors of PA behavior and the associations among these variables.

Results

The prevalence of physical inactivity among older adults with SCD was high (40.3%). The path model fit indices were χ2/df = 1.145, GFI = 0.968, CFI = 0.988, and RMSEA = 0.022. Path regression revealed that frailty, physical and social support, PA motivation, and fall history had significant direct association with PA behavior. PA motivation not only partially mediates between frailty and PA behavior but also partially mediates between physical and social support and PA behavior. Additionally, fall history moderated the relationship between frailty and PA behavior.

Conclusion

PA behavior in older adults with SCD requires improvement. Healthcare professionals should devise more effective interventions to boost PA behavior by enhancing motivation. Screening for frailty and addressing fall history, while providing sufficient physical and social support, is crucial.

The Groundswell Community Surf Therapy Intervention for At-Risk Women and Changes in Body Acceptance, Resilience, and Emotional Regulation

Background

Surf therapy combines physical activity with social support to provide a healing environment.

Objective

This exploratory pre-to post-intervention study examined the effects of a novel surf therapy program for women who experienced abuse, trauma, and/or mental illness on emotional regulation, resilience, body acceptance, and gratitude.

Methods

Twenty-seven women (ages 25 to 54; mean 36.32 + SD 7.79) participated in an 8-week Groundswell Surf Therapy Program held in four different coastal cities in California. Standardized self-report questionnaires were administered prior to and following the therapy program, including the Body Acceptance Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Affective Style Questionnaire, and the Gratitude Questionnaire-Six-Item Form (GQ-6) in a pre-post study design. Data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

Body acceptance [P < 0.001; partial Eta squared = 0.472] and resilience were increased [P = 0.005; partial Eta squared = 0.319] following the surf therapy intervention. Emotional regulation was examined according to three subscales, with the adjust [P < 0.001; partial Eta squared = 0.397] and tolerate [P < 0.001; partial Eta squared = 0.299] subscales increasing following the intervention, and the conceal subscale [P = 0.459; partial Eta squared = 0.031] remaining unchanged. Gratitude scores were unchanged [P = 0.425; partial Eta squared = 0.026].

Conclusion

A surf therapy program rooted in somatic and trauma-informed models was associated with improved resilience, emotional regulation, and body acceptance in at-risk women.

The Importance of Activating Factors in Physical Activity Interventions for Older Adults Using Information and Communication Technologies: Systematic Review

Background

In an aging population, it is important to activate older adults in taking care of their own health. Increasing physical activity is one way to avoid or lessen age-related physical and mental impairments. Interest in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools to promote physical activity among older adults is growing considerably. Such tools are suitable for communicating activation factors-skills, knowledge, and motivation-by integrating a variety of behavior change techniques (BCTs) to enhance physical activity. Although activation factors have been incorporated into physical activity interventions using ICT, little is known about the actual integration methods used in such interventions or about the effects of activation factors on influencing behavior change.

Objective

The first aim of this study was to identify which of the activation factors were covered in physical activity-promoting ICT interventions for older adults and which BCTs were used to address them. The second objective was to classify the user interaction interfaces and delivery modes that were used to promote these activation factors.

Methods

The search engines of PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were used to search for and identify articles examining the effectiveness of ICT interventions for promoting physical activity in older adults. References and related data were selected, extracted, and reviewed independently by 2 reviewers. The risk of bias was assessed, and any conflict was addressed by a third separate reviewer. Selected articles included older adults aged ≥55 years without pre-existing medical diseases and other physical or mental conditions that could hinder movement.

Results

In total, 368 records were retrieved, and 13 studies met all inclusion criteria. Articles differed in terms of themes, timescales, user interaction interfaces, and outcome measures; therefore, a quantitative data synthesis was not feasible. Motivation was the most promoted activation factor among all trials (33 times). An app and a smartwatch were used in the majority of intervention groups (7/20, 35%) for tracking physical activity and receiving personalized feedback based on the individual goals. Skills (25 times) and knowledge (17 times) were the next most commonly addressed activation factors. Face-to-face interaction was the most used approach to targeting users' skills, including providing instructions on how to perform a behavior and exchanging knowledge via education on the health consequences of insufficient physical activity. Overall, integrating all 3 activation factors and using multiple user interaction interfaces with a variety of delivery modes proved the most effective in improving physical activity.

Conclusions

This study highlights commonly used BCTs and preferred modes of their delivery. So far, only a limited number of available BCTs (21/102, 21%) have been integrated. Considering their effectiveness, a larger variety of BCTs that address skills, knowledge, and motivation should be exploited in future ICT interventions.