Physical activity perceptions and experiences of BAME Teesside University students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Abstract

AbstractThe study sought to explore the barriers and facilitators for making physical activity lifestyle choices among Black Asian Ethnic Minority (BAME) students at Teesside University during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative approach was used to capture the in-depth physical activity experiences of BAME individuals. There is a paucity of primary qualitative studies focusing on BAME individuals’ activity lifestyles prior to and during the COVID-19 lockdowns between April and August 2020. BAME individuals faced exacerbated physical, psychological, social, and institutional barriers which are mapped onto the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B). Twelve BAME participants were interviewed via Microsoft Teams using semi-structured interviews lasting 45 to 60 minutes. Using thematic analysis, we identified seven themes; the two primary ones were barriers and facilitators to being active and were successfully mapped onto the modified COM-B. Although existing literature has used the COM-B, these were primary quantitative findings that did not enable an in-depth exploration of BAME individuals lived experiences of physical activity participation during COVID-19. Thus, the COM-B model was modified to reflect this research’ qualitative approach, through which improved policies and implementation strategies may be applied specifically to BAME individuals.

Keywords

• BAME
• physical activity
• covid-19
• barriers
• facilitators
• Joe Thomas, Institute of Health and Management, Australia