An exploratory study of physical activity educational programming for women experiencing homelessness

ABSTRACT

This exploratory study examined the impact of physical activity education on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the physical performance of women experiencing homelessness. Twenty-seven women experiencing homelessness and residing in two women’s shelters participated in a four-week physical activity education program. The program consisted of education in physical activity and exercise, activity tracking with wrist fitness trackers, and weekly reflections on personal goals. During the last session, focus group discussions on future program structure and content were held. The women participating in the physical activity educational program saw no statistically significant difference in physically unhealthy days during the program as compared to the preceding month. Participants reported a significant decrease in the number of mentally unhealthy days following the intervention (Healthy Days Core Module (HDCM3) [r (26) = 0.57, p = 0.03]). The results of this pilot study suggest a positive connection between physical education programs and HRQoL for women experiencing homelessness. The focus group discussion provided insight into program strengths, challenges, and future opportunities.

KEYWORDS:

• Physical activity
• homelessness
• health-related quality of life
• health equity
• access to care

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the shelters participating in this research for supporting women experiencing homelessness.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Tonya Y. Miller

Tonya Y. Miller is program lead of the doctor of physical therapy program at Harrisburg University of science and technology.

Jenna M. Marx

Jenna M. Marx is an assistant professor of psychology.

Lori A. Portzer

Lori A. Portzer is an assistant professor of exercise science, both teaching at Lebanon Valley College.