Perceived exercise benefits and barriers among Turkish women: a pilot study

Öz

Purpose: Physical activity protects against many chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, depression and cardiovascular diseases. Recent Turkish studies have indicated a higher physical activity level in men as compared to women population. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived benefits and barriers to exercise in Turkish women. Methods: Two hundred and eighty women volunteers aged between 24-63 years participated in the study. Women answered questions related to physical activity and they rated statements related to the benefits and barriers to exercise. Results: 69.7% of study participants did not do any exercise. When ranked from highest to lowest; perceived benefits and barriers of exercise were physical, psychological and social health benefits, environmental and personal barriers and timelessness. Conclusion: Based on the results, Turkish women’s attitudes about doing exercise can be understood to some extent. There is a need for further comprehensive studies with larger samples

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Women, Exercise, Health benefits

Türk kadınları arasında algılanan egzersiz yararları ve bariyerleri: pilot çalışma

Öz

Amaç: Fiziksel aktivite, osteoporoz, diyabet, depresyon ve kalp damar hastalıkları gibi birçok kronik hastalığa karşı koruyucudur. Son yıllarda Türkler tarafından yapılan çalışmalarda gösterilmektedir ki; kadın popülasyonunda fiziksel aktivite düzeyi erkeklere kıyasla daha düşüktür. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türk kadınlarında algılanan egzersiz yararları ve bariyerlerini belirlemekti. Yöntem: Yaşları 20-63 arasında değişen 208 gönüllü kadın çalışmaya katıldı. Kadınlar fiziksel aktivite hakkında soruları cevapladılar, egzersizin yararları ve bariyerleri ile ilgili ifadeleri oranladılar. Sonuçlar: Çalışmaya katılanların % 69.7’si egzersiz yapmamaktaydı. Yüksekten düşüğe doğru oranlandığında; algılanan egzersiz yararları ve bariyerleri; fiziksel sağlık yararları, psikolojik sağlık yararları ve sosyal sağlık yararları ve çevresel bariyerler, kişisel bariyerler ve zamansızlıktı. Sonuç: Bu çalışmanın sonuçlarına dayanarak; Türk kadınlarının egzersiz yapma hakkındaki düşünceleri kısmen anlaşılabilmektedir. Gelecekte daha geniş örneklemli ve kapsamlı çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kadın, Egzersiz, Yarar

Kaynakça

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