William L Dunlop1, Mark R Beauchamp. 1. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1. wdunlop@psych.ubc.ca
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Understanding the contextual preferences that people have for engaging in a health-enhancing physical activity has been identified as particularly important, as these preferences have been implicated in the maintenance of active lifestyle behaviors. PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to examine adults' preferences for exercising in both gender-segregated and gender-integrated physical activity groups. The secondary purpose was to examine whether overweight status moderates adults' preferences for gender-segregated groups relative to gender-integrated groups. METHOD: Survey data were obtained from a representative sample of 772 adults (N (males) = 407; N (females) = 365) in a large city in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: Males and females reported a stronger preference for exercising with members of their own gender relative to exercising in gender-integrated groups. In addition, overweight participants were found to report an accentuated relative preference for gender-segregated groups when compared to normal weight respondents. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that both within-group gender composition and overweight status should be considered as salient contextual factors when attempting to implement successful group-based exercise programs.
BACKGROUND: Understanding the contextual preferences that people have for engaging in a health-enhancing physical activity has been identified as particularly important, as these preferences have been implicated in the maintenance of active lifestyle behaviors. PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to examine adults' preferences for exercising in both gender-segregated and gender-integrated physical activity groups. The secondary purpose was to examine whether overweight status moderates adults' preferences for gender-segregated groups relative to gender-integrated groups. METHOD: Survey data were obtained from a representative sample of 772 adults (N (males) = 407; N (females) = 365) in a large city in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: Males and females reported a stronger preference for exercising with members of their own gender relative to exercising in gender-integrated groups. In addition, overweight participants were found to report an accentuated relative preference for gender-segregated groups when compared to normal weight respondents. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that both within-group gender composition and overweight status should be considered as salient contextual factors when attempting to implement successful group-based exercise programs.
Authors: Chad Kerksick; Ashli Thomas; Bill Campbell; Lem Taylor; Colin Wilborn; Brandon Marcello; Mike Roberts; Emily Pfau; Megan Grimstvedt; Jasmine Opusunju; Teresa Magrans-Courtney; Christopher Rasmussen; Ron Wilson; Richard B Kreider Journal: Nutr Metab (Lond) Date: 2009-05-14 Impact factor: 4.169
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