La práctica de actividad física entre varones y mujeres de clase media en el AMBA: motivaciones, percepción de beneficios y limitaciones para su continuidad

• Main Authors: Matías Salvador Ballesteros, Betina Freidin, Mercedes Krause, Pablo Borda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Nacional de La Plata 2016-12-01
• Series: Educación Física y Ciencia
• Subjects: Salud; Actividad física; Clase media; Motivaciones; Limitaciones
• Online Access: http://www.efyc.fahce.unlp.edu.ar/article/view/6909

Health promotion policies in contemporary societies emphasize individual responsibility to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity is promoted to maintain a healthy life and improve health conditions. In this article we analyze the rationales underlying the decision to do physical activity among young and middle-aged women and men who belong to the middle class and reside in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. Data come from eight focus groups that we conducted in 2013. We account for the motivations to perform physical activities and the reason to discontinue them. We also point to some critical views that the participants hold of expert recommendations and consumer culture. Finally, we address the conditions that either facilitate or hinder their possibilities to initiate sports practices and physical activities, and also to maintain them over time.