Researchers from the OU Department of Health and Exercise Sciences are preparing a study to evaluate barriers adult lesbian women face when trying to exercise, and how to best overcome those obstacles.
Lesbian women face unique barriers regarding physical activity, such as not having same-sex partner family memberships, not feeling comfortable on sports teams and dealing with stereotypes and discrimination, said Danielle Brittain, the lead researcher for the upcoming study.
“There’s this perception that all lesbian women are physically active or athletic,” said Brittain, assistant professor of health and exercise sciences. “A result of that perception is that lesbians themselves think that all lesbians are physically active.”
Some lesbians are less motivated to work out because they feel they cannot live up to the athletic stereotype, she said.
Last year, Brittain conducted a study that found up to 78 percent of lesbians, from ages 21 to 64, do not get enough exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle because of general and unique barriers.
The study is important because very little research has been conducted for the gay and lesbian community. Funding and interest in the area, as well as finding participants, is difficult to gain, especially in a “conservative state,” Brittain said.
“I think one of the most important things to point out is that ... there’s very little lesbian health research at all, let alone related to physical activity, and when you look at the state of Oklahoma, you’re going to find that number declines even more,” Brittain said.
It is difficult to find participants because some lesbians are worried about confidentiality, Brittain said.
“There’s an issue of trust with confidentiality because there are a lot of instances in our society where people have really discriminated or really marginalized this group of women,” she said.
The study will maintain the same standard of confidentiality as any other study, said John Friedl, a researcher and health and exercise science graduate student.
“[The study] is meant to give them the confidence to do physical activity on their own,” Friedl said. “It’ll show them ... things they can apply to their lives once we’re gone.”
All of the study meetings will take place in Oklahoma City or Norman, according to the recruitment flyer for the study.
The research team received a $10,000 Lesbian Health Fund grant from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association to conduct the study, Brittain said.
The Lesbian Health Fund aims to improve lesbian health care by dispelling misinformation, homophobia among health care providers and by conducting more scientific research for basic lesbian health needs, according to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association Web site.
Brittain said she is hopeful participants will come forward to help the lesbian community.
“Just the fact there is an opportunity for adult lesbians to be a part of something that could help all lesbian women is extremely important ... and their participation means so much to us,” Brittain said.
If students need more information or want to get involved, they can call Brittain or Mary Dinger at 325-9028 or e-mail ouphyactlab@ou.edu.
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kdbp1213 2 years, 8 months ago
study obstacles for exercise? what obstacles? one exercises because one wants to exercise.
i run half-marathons & 10Ks with 10-minute miles. yes, that time sucks. but i motivate myself to do it. typically, i finish in the bottom 10-15% but i finish..... why & how do i finish? because i motivate myself. aside from the occasional ill-planned route by an inept run organizer, there are no obstacles or barriers in my way. i've been tring to motivate myself to run a full marathon. just haven't gotten there yet.....
calender year 2009 is my fourth year to race in organized runs & i have finished every run i've signed up for. i exercise free of duress & threat. also, i ignore exercise free of duress & threat. what is there to study??
are you freakin' kidding me? i can't believe actual money (be it private or public) was spent for this study......
deb 2 years, 7 months ago
We, my significant other & I joined a health club, a nation wide name brand. I attented twice & my significant other(ie.spouse)never. Of course due to the contract, monthly payments were made for 2 years exceeding $1300.00. The facility located in our area has no pool or separate male/female areas and although advertised as a24/7, the hours were limited. Maybe if somehow a group of women with similar goals could meet and encourage each other. Beause of different work schedules, excercise buddies would be of great encouragement. Some have the personality that drive them, others need a nudge. People differ. If we stand together maybe we can balaance one another.