Audio and transcription data (raw)_Group and Expert interviews for Why Weight? Development of a Tool to Identify Factors Affecting Participation of Women in Resistance Exercise

Statistics from the National Health Survey (2017-18) indicate that 54% of females (35-44 y.o) fail to reach recommended physical activity levels which is unchanged from 2011-2012 figures.  Additionally, a reported 80% of women currently have insufficient resistance exercise training levels to achieve optimal health benefits for chronic disease prevention. While the exact reason is not known, fitness professionals may play a role. The role of fitness professionals in delivering physical activity for healthy agendas has been examined and demonstrated that fitness professionals can both educate and support individuals to increase physical activity levels. With growing public awareness in the fitness industry, Personal Trainers and other health professionals require skills to promote engagement and adherence to physical activity, particularly resistance exercise training (RET). Whilst each profession has their own scope of practice, in order to achieve a positive outcome, which to date has been limited/stagnant, some commonality between, and within scope of practices, may need to be achieved. Utilising the large body of research existing around elements to guide resistance training promotion and engagement, my project is aiming to successfully ascertain interest in provision of education/resources/advice to link research to the 'real world'. A second objective is to then develop a tool focussed on eliciting preferences and behaviours towards physical activity which could be useful to a broader sector of the community. Specifically, such a tool could be adopted by health professional groups, and also Personal Trainers, to use within their scope of practice to better engage middle aged women in RET to sufficient levels for chronic disease prevention.