An exploratory study of mothers engaging in physical activity in rural communities.

Gender gaps in physical activity (PA) exist with women being less active than men. Multiple cultural and psychosocial factors influence women's ability to successfully negotiate barriers to PA and other health promoting behaviors. The goal of this exploratory descriptive study was to better understand the daily experiences of mothers in making health promoting decisions for themselves and their families. Semi-structured interviews (N = 17) were conducted with rural dwelling mothers who were the primary caregivers of children in the home. Participants were asked to share their experiences with PA and other health behaviors, focusing on their motivators, barriers, and facilitators. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Emerging themes focused on 1) feeling internal and external pressures to prioritize family's needs over one's health, 2) family exerting both positive and negative influences on health choices, and 3) living in a rural community often resulting in a lack of opportunities to engage in physical activity and feelings of being isolated from social networks. To close the gender gap in PA, interventions should support mothers in navigating their multiple roles and competing demands while engaging in health promoting behaviors such as physical activity.

Systematic Review of Exercise for Caregiver-Care Recipient Dyads: What Is Best for Spousal Caregivers-Exercising Together or Not at All?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Though exercise for care recipients receives considerable emphasis, few dyadic studies focus on caregivers. This systematic review identified dyadic exercise interventions, which measured outcomes for older adult caregivers. Studies that met inclusion criteria were examined to better understand whether caregivers derived greater benefit from exercising with care recipients, or not exercising at all. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were followed to identify quantitative studies of dyadic exercise interventions in which caregivers enrolled with care recipients, and either coparticipated in exercise; or while their care recipients exercised independently, caregivers received a separate, nonexercise intervention or usual care (UC). To be included, studies had to measure physical or psychosocial outcomes for caregivers. Study quality was assessed via the Downs and Black checklist. RESULTS: Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. In six, the dyad exercised; in five, care recipients exercised while caregivers received a separate program, or UC. Results suggest that caregivers may improve both psychosocial and physical health when exercising together with care recipients. Caregivers who did not exercise but received a separate, nonexercise intervention, such as support, education, or respite, showed psychosocial benefits. Those who received UC were less likely to derive physical or psychosocial benefits. Included studies were fair to good quality with moderate to high risk of bias. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Often examined secondarily, caregivers are overlooked for participation in interventions with care recipients. This analysis suggests that caregivers may benefit from dyadic interventions in which they either exercise together with their care recipients or receive a separate nonexercise intervention or respite.