Background/Purpose: Research has revealed that women indicate more reasons for not exercising compared to men (Netz, Zeev, Arnon, & Tenenbaum, 2008). The most common reasons women discussed include lack of energy and time to exercise, housework duties, and work or other responsibilities (Brown, Brown, Miller, & Hansen, 2001). Research also indicated that women are more likely than men to be inactive when they work full-time and women with children are less likely to exercise than women without children (Bell & Lee, 2005). This study addressed the lack of research on this topic. The purpose is to gain a better understanding of the perceived benefits of exercise, exercise patterns, and barriers women face who work full-time and have at least one child under the age of 5.
Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with fifteen mothers (mean age =30). Questions were asked about their exercise patterns before and after having children and their barriers to exercise. Each interview was transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic coding (Creswell, 2007).
Analysis/Results: The mothers' exercise patterns have changed in that they exercised more frequently before compared to after having kids. Time, guilt, exhaustion, breastfeeding, weather and changes to their body were the most common barriers provided. The mothers perceived the benefits of exercise to be increased energy, improved health, and enhanced body perception.
Conclusions: Fitness professionals and others working with full-time working mothers can use this research to assist them in helping mothers develop exercise as part of their routine.