TY - JOUR
T1 - Fitness for all
T2 - how do non-disabled people respond to inclusive fitness centres?
AU - Nikolajsen, Helene
AU - Richardson, Emma Victoria
AU - Sandal, Louise Fleng
AU - Juul-Kristensen, Birgit
AU - Troelsen, Jens
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Danish foundation TrygFonden. The funding body had no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.
PY - 2021/7/30
Y1 - 2021/7/30
N2 - Background: Representation of people with disabilities in fitness centres is lacking, despite initiatives to promote inclusion mainly in the UK and USA. Success creating these inclusive spaces is mixed and few were crafted taking into account attitudes and biases of non-disabled co-members. Inclusive fitness centres have not gained much attention in Denmark, and the campaign ‘Fitness for All - fitness for people with physical disabilities’ was initiated. The aim of this study was shaped by two key questions; 1) what is the ideal fitness space from the perception of non-disabled fitness users? and 2) how might their dis/ableist attitudes negate inclusion in three future pilot inclusive fitness centres across Denmark? Method: Three focus groups involving 5–7 (total n = 18) adult non-disabled participants were conducted. Aged ranged between 19 and 75 years, both men and women were involved, with fitness centre experiences ranging from 0 to 20+ years. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using Malterud’s four-step method of systematic text condensation. Results: Of most importance was a pleasant atmosphere which should make them feel welcome and comfortable. Good social relations within the space were also highly valued. Participants welcomed people with physical disabilities but predicted many challenges with an inclusive fitness centre and expressed unconscious ableist attitudes. Conclusion: The current study adds essential knowledge regarding how non-disabled people perceive the ideal inclusive fitness centre. A welcoming and inviting atmosphere is essential whereas social skills, ableism, ignorance, and preconceptions are important barriers that may hinder inclusion of participants with disabilities in inclusive fitness centres.
AB - Background: Representation of people with disabilities in fitness centres is lacking, despite initiatives to promote inclusion mainly in the UK and USA. Success creating these inclusive spaces is mixed and few were crafted taking into account attitudes and biases of non-disabled co-members. Inclusive fitness centres have not gained much attention in Denmark, and the campaign ‘Fitness for All - fitness for people with physical disabilities’ was initiated. The aim of this study was shaped by two key questions; 1) what is the ideal fitness space from the perception of non-disabled fitness users? and 2) how might their dis/ableist attitudes negate inclusion in three future pilot inclusive fitness centres across Denmark? Method: Three focus groups involving 5–7 (total n = 18) adult non-disabled participants were conducted. Aged ranged between 19 and 75 years, both men and women were involved, with fitness centre experiences ranging from 0 to 20+ years. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using Malterud’s four-step method of systematic text condensation. Results: Of most importance was a pleasant atmosphere which should make them feel welcome and comfortable. Good social relations within the space were also highly valued. Participants welcomed people with physical disabilities but predicted many challenges with an inclusive fitness centre and expressed unconscious ableist attitudes. Conclusion: The current study adds essential knowledge regarding how non-disabled people perceive the ideal inclusive fitness centre. A welcoming and inviting atmosphere is essential whereas social skills, ableism, ignorance, and preconceptions are important barriers that may hinder inclusion of participants with disabilities in inclusive fitness centres.
KW - Disabilities
KW - Fitness
KW - Fitness centre
KW - Focus group interviews
KW - Gym
KW - Inclusion
KW - Inclusive fitness centre
KW - Qualitative research
U2 - 10.1186/s13102-021-00303-2
DO - 10.1186/s13102-021-00303-2
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 34330328
AN - SCOPUS:85111670254
SN - 2052-1847
VL - 13
JO - BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
JF - BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
M1 - 81
ER -