Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity and Sport Participation Experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Adults: A Mixed Method Review

Bridget Allen, Karla Canuto, John Robert Evans, Ebony Lewis, Josephine Gwynn, Kylie Radford, Kim Delbaere, Justin Richards, Nigel Lovell, Michelle Dickson and Rona Macniven
Additional contact information
Bridget Allen: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Karla Canuto: Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
John Robert Evans: School of Public Health, University of Technology, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
Ebony Lewis: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Josephine Gwynn: The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Kylie Radford: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Kim Delbaere: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Justin Richards: Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Nigel Lovell: UNSW Ageing Futures Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
Michelle Dickson: Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Rona Macniven: School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-28

Abstract: Physical activity has cultural significance and population health benefits. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults may experience challenges in participating in physical activity. This mixed methods systematic review aimed to synthetize existing evidence on facilitators and barriers for physical activity participation experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in Australia. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was used. A systematic search was undertaken of 11 databases and 14 grey literature websites during 2020. The included studies reported physical activity facilitators and barriers experienced by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander participants aged 18+ years, living in the community. Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-two facilitators were identified: 23 individual, 18 interpersonal, 8 community/environmental and 13 policy/program facilitators. Additionally, 63 barriers were identified: 21 individual, 17 interpersonal, 15 community/environmental and 10 policy/program barriers. Prominent facilitators included support from family, friends, and program staff, and opportunities to connect with community or culture. Prominent barriers included a lack of transport, financial constraints, lack of time, and competing work, family or cultural commitments. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults experience multiple facilitators and barriers to physical activity participation. Strategies to increase participation should seek to enhance facilitators and address barriers, collaboratively with communities, with consideration to the local context.

Keywords: indigenous; first nations; sport; exercise; population health; Australia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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