| Summary: | Low-income women are more likely to experience poor health and less likely to be
physically active. However, most of the research has only considered physical activity from the
culturally dominant norm of fitness, recreation and leisure. Activity performed in the context of
daily life outside the program setting has not been investigated, especially not for low-income
single mothers who are marginalized within the dominant culture.
The purpose of this study is to explore the meaning and practice of physical activity in the
daily lives of low-income single mothers.
Three women between the ages of 28 and 32 participated in this study, recruited from a
housing project for low-income single mothers. A variety of established qualitative research
methods were used to identify the practice of physical activity in daily life and investigate
personal meanings. These methods included: a discussion group, individual in-depth interviews,
and on-going field notes. Additional methods designed and assessed included: community
assessment, community mapping exercise, physical activity logs, and participant observation.
Analysis consisted of mapping data themes and interpreting these themes using a
organizing framework based on the literature. Four primary analytic concepts for understanding
the meaning and practice of physical activity in daily life emerged: work and leisure, well-being
and health, quality of life, and power and control:
This analysis, based on the organizing framework and use of new data collection
techniques, makes an important contribution by challenging some of the dominant myths in the
literature related to physical activity and low-income women. The assumption that low-income
single mothers are the least active population needs to be revisited. Future research must also
consider that physical activity may not be as stable as defined by the social-class literature. The
practice of physical activity may both enhance and constrain positive health, as well as be
experienced as both conforming to and resisting social norms. Finally, the negotiation of power
at the level of the body demonstrates the potential for physical activity to contribute to self-esteem
and personal empowerment. === Education, Faculty of === Kinesiology, School of === Graduate
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