Perceptions and Beliefs about Exercise, Rest, and Health among African-Americans

Abstract

This article reports results of a-qualitative study designed to explore perceptions and beliefs that AfricanAmericans have toward exercise. Lower-than-average levels of physical activity among African-Americans are reported frequently 1,2 and may contribute to the welldocumented excess risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease and hypertension among African-American men and women? Lewis et al. 4 reported that even a program specifically designed for African-Americans, based on a prior assessment of program preferences and logistic barriers, did not result in a significant postintervention improvement in exercise. This suggests that further exploration of influences on exercise adoption and adherence among African-Americans may be needed to inform the design of intervention programs. The present study focused on possible culturally determined attitudes that may inhibit exercise program adoption.