Sport and Exercise Science, 1 James Cook Drive, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
Northern Territory Health, 38 Cavenagh Street, Darwin, Northern Territory 0800, Australia.
Health Promot Int. 2024 Aug 1;39(4). doi: 10.1093/heapro/daae108.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are key members of the community who have specific roles within their families that may result in lower levels of physical activity (PA) undertaken. Clearly identifying barriers for women to engage with PA, and exploring culturally based activities (i.e. Traditional Indigenous Games), may help to improve long-term health benefits. Subsequently, the aim of this study was to identify the barriers and facilitators for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women engaging in PA, and their interest in participating in Traditional Indigenous Games. Seventeen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (34.3 ± 10.2 years) participated in focus groups. Through thematic analysis, participants experienced a range of common barriers such as lack of time due to family commitments, limited finances, ageing and poor physical and/or mental health. Common facilitators were also identified such as fun, access and improving mental and/or physical health. Importantly, unique themes were identified for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women including barriers (e.g. racism, shame) and facilitators (e.g. culture, interactions with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women) that influenced PA participation. Notably, Traditional Indigenous Games were considered as an appealing PA mode to engage with their culture, experience nostalgia and be around other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. These key findings will guide future PA programs including Traditional Indigenous Games to improve health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, vital members of the community.
原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民妇女是社区的重要成员，她们在家庭中扮演着特定的角色，这可能导致她们的身体活动水平较低。明确识别女性参与身体活动的障碍，并探索基于文化的活动（即传统的本土游戏），可能有助于提高长期健康效益。因此，本研究的目的是确定原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民妇女参与身体活动的障碍和促进因素，以及她们对参与传统本土游戏的兴趣。17 名原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民妇女（34.3±10.2 岁）参加了焦点小组。通过主题分析，参与者经历了一系列常见的障碍，例如由于家庭承诺而缺乏时间、有限的财务、老龄化以及身体和/或心理健康状况不佳。还确定了一些常见的促进因素，例如乐趣、获得和改善心理和/或身体健康。重要的是，还为原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民妇女确定了独特的主题，包括影响身体活动参与的障碍（例如种族主义、羞耻感）和促进因素（例如文化、与其他原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民妇女的互动）。值得注意的是，传统的本土游戏被认为是一种吸引人的身体活动方式，可以参与他们的文化、体验怀旧情绪并与其他原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民妇女在一起。这些关键发现将指导未来的身体活动计划，包括传统的本土游戏，以改善原住民和托雷斯海峡岛民妇女的健康状况，她们是社区的重要成员。
