Comparing Barriers and Facilitators to Physical ActivityAmong Underrepresented Minorities: Preliminary Outcomes from a Mixed-Methods Study

Rafael A. Alamilla (), Navin Kaushal, Silvia M. Bigatti and NiCole R. Keith ()
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Rafael A. Alamilla: School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Navin Kaushal: School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Silvia M. Bigatti: Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
NiCole R. Keith: School of Public Health—Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-28

Abstract: Physical activity (PA)’s benefits are well established, yet many U.S. adults fail to meet PA guidelines. This is especially true for minorities facing social inequities. This study explored PA’s barriers and facilitators among urban Midwestern minorities using a mixed-methods approach framed on the socio-ecological model. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and June 2024 among community-dwelling minorities. Participants were grouped as completing low (LLPA) or high (HLPA) weekly leisure-time PA for comparison. Quantitative analysis included MANOVA, follow-up ANOVAs, and calculation of effect sizes. Qualitative data were assessed using inductive thematic analysis. Twenty-nine adults (44.83% Black, 41.37% Latino) participated in the study. The HLPA group (n = 18) reported higher leisure-time PA ( p = 0.001, d = 2.21) and total PA ( p = 0.02, d = 1.00) compared to the LLPA group (n = 11). LLPA participants faced more personal barriers to PA ( p = 0.02, d = −0.92). Common barriers identified in the interviews included a lack of time and financial costs. Facilitators included social support and available PA facilities. Both groups achieved the USPA guidelines through different PA domains. Increasing social support and lowering PA-related costs could enhance participation. Addressing barriers and leveraging existing facilitators are crucial to increasing PA among minorities.

Keywords: physical activity; barriers and facilitators; racial minorities; health disparities; mixed methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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