Barriers and facilitators to physical activity in rural, southern Illinois women

Introduction: Over half of women in the southernmost region of Illinois do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines. This research seeks to understand perceptions of barriers and facilitators to engaging in physical activity among S7 women, as well as possible strategies to help women be more active.

Methods: 110 adult women participated in 14 focus groups as part of a community health assessment implemented to understand women’s health issues in the S7 region. To promote diversity of perspectives, focus groups were conducted in four age groups and were held in a variety of community settings. The research team used qualitative analysis methods to explore prominent themes in the women’s narratives, including physical activity knowledge, behavior, and access.  

Results: Physical activity barriers and facilitators included personal, social, and environmental factors. Participants described personal and family health status and social and gender norms as both barriers and motivators to being physically active. They also discussed social support for physical activity and social benefits received through physical activity participation as motivators. Participants indicated that while options such as parks, trails, gyms, or exercise classes may be available, they often experienced multiple challenges in accessing these resources. 

Discussion: This research highlights the often contradictory barriers and facilitators to physical activity among rural women in southernmost Illinois, which may vary at different points in a woman’s life. The findings suggest the need for multilevel, multi-sector approaches to promote physical activity that are tailored to address the barriers women face across the lifespan.