Physical activity in adolescent females in Australia: An exploration into the barriers and enablers

Background: Adolescent females are less likely to participate in physical activity (PA) than their male peers. These low levels of PA are likely to persist into adulthood, with negative health consequences.
Purpose: This study used qualitative methods to investigate the barriers and enablers to PA in adolescent females from low SES areas in Sydney, Australia.
Methods: Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with adolescent females aged between 16-18 years. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with teachers who taught adolescent females. Thematic analysis was used to develop categories and code the transcripts.
Results: Results represent data from 9 focus groups, in which 56 females participated, along with 9 teacher interviews. Barriers and enablers were classified into the following 8 themes: Knowledge of health benefits; Academic pressure and school environment; Competing interests; Motivation; Body image and self esteem; Cultural issues; Parental and safety concerns; and Transport and accessibility.
Conclusion: Many perceived barriers and enablers to PA were identified by the participants in this study. Potential physical activities/sports that are promoted to older adolescent females need to be safe, social and fun. PA needs to be viewed not as a distraction from study, but as a productive break from study, which can release stress, and facilitate greater focus when returning to study. In addition to this short-term benefit, the longer-term physical and mental health benefits of PA have been well documented. Parents and teachers need to understand these benefits so they can best support their daughters/students to develop life-long healthy PA habits.
Practical Implications: Parents and teachers need to understand the benefits of PA in these young females and recognise the barriers so they can best support their daughters/students to develop life-long healthy PA habits.