Kuntosaliharjoitteluun liittyvät mielikuvat sukupolvikysymyksenä: Tutkimus miesten osallistumisaktiivisuutta heikentävistä tekijöistä eturauhassyöpäpotilaille suunnatussa liikuntainterventiossa

Abstract

Exercise programmes and interventions for older adults aim not only to promote functional ability but also reduce the side effects of medical treatments. Participation in exercise interventions does not always remain high. In an intervention for prostate cancer patients, it turned out that engagement in gym exercise decreased substantially after the guided training period and the control groups were less active throughout the programme. We studied factors that diminished men’s activeness to participate in both groups. The data consisted of qualitative interviews (n=122) with 43 men from intervention and control groups. Men were interviewed three times. The interviews were analysed using inductive content analysis. Explanations that men gave for their decreased activeness fell into two groups. First, men had negative impressions of gyms as highly competitive training environments from their adolescence and today saw them as commercialized and appearance-centered places. Gyms were considered environments for younger people where the men interviewed did not feel they belonged. Secondly, most men preferred endurance sports and everyday physical activities as exercise. Gym training did not fit such exercise preferences well. People’s exercise preferences relate intersectionally to gender, age and generational experiences. To promote participants’ motivation, diverse ideas related to exercise should be acknowledged in planning exercise programmes.