Physical activity and social disparity: How to understand different involvement in physical activity

Abstract

This theoretical article is an attempt to extend the perspective of involvement in leisure time physical activity. Studies show that leisure time involvement in physical activity is least in groups lowest in the social hierarchy. In health promotion it is important to understand why different socioeconomic groups display different patterns of physical activity participation. Historically physical activity has had different significance according to different socioeconomic groups. These variations are discussed using terms from Bourdieu’s theory of practice. His theory of practice shows how social conditions and the individual mutually influence each other and create and maintain the person’s way of thinking, behavior and action. Leisure time physical activity is a practice, and the analysis highlights the importance of why the meaning aspect is relevant when it comes to explaining the differences in physical activity engagement amongst socioeconomic groups. It is important to consider this aspect when promoting an increase in the overall engagement in physical activity. When physiotherapists motivate patients to increase their level of physical activity, it is important to choose activities consisting of values familiar and attractive to the patients.

Keywords

• Social Class
• Socioeconomic Factors
• Health Status Disparities
• Health Behavior
• Movement
• Motor Activity
• Activity of Daily Living
• Leisure Activities
• Physical Therapy Modalities
• Learning
• Practice (Psychology)
• Health Promotion
• Rehabilitation