Sociocultural perspectives on physical activity in the lives of older African American and American Indian women: A cross cultural activity participation study

Illuminating the diversity and sociocultural specificity of women's experie nces may be important if healthy lifestyles and quality of life are to be a chieved. The incidence of cardiovascular disease linked to physical inactiv ity is high among African American and American Indian women. If more is un derstood about the experience of physical activity involvement, healthier l iving might be encouraged. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to expl ore the sociocultural meanings of physical activity for older (over the age of 40 years) African American and American Indian women who participated i n the Cross Cultural Activity Participation Study (CAPS). Through qualitati ve in-depth interviews, we explored how sociocultural perspectives are rela ted to perceptions about physical activity. Gender and other sociocultural factors influenced physical involvement on a continuum from negligible to s ignificant. Both groups interviewed showed evidence that opportunities for physical activity in their free time did not always exist for them. For Afr ican American women, history and daily living issues were important factors limiting their involvement. Marginality limited American Indian women, but their cultural pride was often a source of physical activity. The juxtapos ition of cultural and personal values emerged as a determinant of physical activity involvement among the women in this study. A further expansion of cultural and personal life situation perspectives is recommended to help un derstand the complex dimensions of physical activity as it relates to healt hy living.