Barriers, self-efficacy and social support for physical exercise in middle-aged Mexican women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v76.106259Keywords:
physical activity, barriers, motivators, middle aged, women healthAbstract
Introduction: Identifying the factors that influence women’s physical activity practices is relevant.
Objective: To analyze the relationship between barriers, perceived self-efficacy, and social support for exercise on lifestyle related to physical activity behavior in middle-aged Mexican women (40–59 years).
Methodology: Descriptive correlational study. The physical activity subscale of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II), the Self-Report of Barriers to Physical Exercise Practice, the Exercise Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and the Social Support for Exercise Scale were applied. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Spearman correlation.
Results: 162 participants with a mean age of 48.62 (SD = 6.53) years. Barriers related to obligations/lack of time showed the highest values (4.82±2.88), followed by fatigue-laziness (4.51±7.20). Physical activity behavior was positively associated with self-efficacy and family and friends’ social support, and negatively associated with exercise barriers (p < .01). The main barriers were lack of time, obligations, and the perception of fatigue and laziness.
Discussion: Employment status and educational level led to differences regarding physical activity behavior and barriers to exercise.
Conclusions: Self-efficacy and social support are associated with physical activity behavior; therefore, they should be considered when designing strategies to promote active lifestyles in middle-aged Mexican women.
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