Promoting Physical Activity through Social Interaction - Case Study Example

Promoting Physical Activity and Habits through Social Interaction October 14 Introduction The ability to interact with others at a different level is a focus of many and becomes a motivational factor when working toward specific goals. When analyzing the level of physical activity of those who are keeping track through blog posts, it can be seen that there are trends among each individual, specifically with enablers and barriers to technology, as well as changes made through each week when looking at specific aspects of interaction with others and the level of physical activity that pertained to this. Defining the behaviors of physical activity and understanding how this links to the blog posts, social interactions and personal changes determines how effective social interaction is with physical activity and how it changes the levels of exercise among individuals. The analysis will determine what the main motivators were through personal exercise and will determine how this changed when working through the weeks of blog posts. According to the activity theory, there is a need or desire to have social activity and interaction as a driving force. The more in which one can be active with others, the more likely they will respond in a positive or negative manner. It is known that when several visitors are reading a blog and responding with comments, it causes the individual writing the blog to change the way that they write as well as the activities that are a part of this. However, if there is no response, then it works as a negative behavior that may stop or slow down the activities and driving force of the blog (Nardi, Schiano, Gumbrecht, 2004). The concept of social activity and building relationships through a given topic, such as physical activity, then strengthened or weakened the amount of physical activity that was performed. The activity theory supports this in stating that the social interactions are a driving force in how well one performs. Another concept which applies to the interaction with blogs and physical activity is based on the habit forming that many take a part in. The concept of forming habits is one that is linked directly to how one relates and responds to the environment as well as what continuous activities an individual engages themselves in because of their internal desires as well as external environment. Measuring habitual physical activity is a proponent of this as exercise dosage is one noted as being habitual. The health benefits that one receives in return become a motivational factor that allows one to continue exercising and which creates the habit. When one begins to see or feel biological changes, then it creates habits of whether one exercises or not. More important, if there is a social reaction that is supportive or negative, then it promotes or negates the ability to continue with habitual physical activity (Shephard, 2002). The subjective well – being of an individual is another theory that has been considered for physical activity and the way in which one responds to their physical activity. In a recent survey (McAuley et al, 2000), it was noted that an individual would psychologically measure their well – being through several different surrounding environmental concepts. Adults were measured over a 12 month time frame to define the modes of exercise as well as the role that physical activity played in one’s life. Through he study, it was found that the subjective well – being was dependent on the physical changes as well as the psychological belief of whether one thought they were healthy or not. The defining point of being healthy was measured by the surrounding environment and the social interactions which were a part of this. The satisfaction in which one experienced was dependent on the measurements one had first with interactions. Loneliness, lack of motivation and misunderstandings about improvement in life were some of the defining factors that were associated with how satisfied one was and how much they were willing to continue practicing physical activity (McAuley et al, 2000). Another concept related directly to physical activity is based on the ability to build habits based on knowledge and understanding. According to recent research (Sallis et al, 2000), there is a direct link between physical activity levels and knowledge of how one should exercise. Children and adolescents who were unaware of possible activities and what one needs to gain physical health will most likely not be a part of physical activity. More important, habits will never be formed to provide one with the ability to continue to exercise or to enjoy the effects of the physical activity. Not having guidelines or implementation of the guidelines then becomes problematic in promoting ideologies of health. The several theories that are a part of motivations for physical activity point out that exercise are not purely to have assistance with physical health. The well – being one has is dependent on psychological and social influences and how one interacts to continue to promote physical health. This also relates to the level of knowledge one has about physical activity and how they associate with the concept of well – being. It is through these different factors that one is able to determine whether their well – being is influenced by physical health as well as how this relates to the desire to continue exercising. Researchers in previous studies have also noticed that when this is taken out, it changes one’s desire to exercise as the social element to continue with the motivation of physical health dissipates. Method Determining how effective blog posts are and how this relates to physical activity is the main purpose of the study. To do this, weeks 2-8 of the blog posts were analyzed. The different activities and the way in which one was able to relate to the physical activity through daily submissions were looked into. The weekly enablers and barriers were also analyzed with specific responses that related to other blog posts. The determination made showed how these changed in between weeks as well as which aspects were kept when moving in between weeks. Looking at the enablers and disablers and noting the similarities, differences and habits for physical activity through each week then provides a determination of how effective the blog posts are in enabling one to exercise over a specific period of time. The analysis will then be compared to past theories to show how there are specific types of influences over physical activity that move beyond the need to exercise or gain physical health. Results The first concept that arose when looking at the blog posts was related to the enablers and disablers. In the first blog posts analyzed, there were noticed differences in why one decided to take part in physical activity on an individual basis. When one set specific goals, there were different determinations of the results as well as what was expected for the physical activity. It was also found that the commitment level was at an average of 50-60% with those who took part in physical activity not having the capability to exercise as much. Lack of time, motivation and other obligations with family and school, as well as with natural changes got in the way of the physical activity. However, there were different results in the following weeks. Some of this was based on suggestions from the comments and feedback, while others began to show a pattern between blog posts. The main disablers with not exercising were from a lack of time, being tired or natural distractions. However, the amount of physical activity significantly increased by all users in weeks 5-8 with many writing that the activities were motivational and that they wanted to continue exercising. The themes that arose from the analysis noted patterns of both enablers and disablers. Disablers included lack of time, school work, family and being too tired. The enablers were based on motivation, wanting to feel physically fit and healthy. These themes were noted across all blog posts between weeks 4-8 but were not a part of the enablers or disablers in week 2. While some of the consistencies of time and school remained, other concepts for enablers, such as liking a specific activity, were the driving forces. These themes show that there was a link between each of the users, both with responses to the comments that enabled different ways of exercising as well as driving forces through the interactions and reading other blog posts. This led from individual concepts to a merging of different aspects of social motivations for exercising. Discussion The results that were a part of the blog posts and physical activity were directly related to the concepts presented in the literature. In the literature, it was noted that driving forces in physical activity were related to social components. The activity theory was the first that shows the direct relation to the blog posts and activity. This shows that the concept of activities and habits increase specifically by the amount of social activity and support one has toward specific physical activities and habits one has. When looking at the physical activity, it could be seen that there were influences that began to motivate each individual with further physical activity through the interaction of physical activity. Most blog posts began to change with the related activities as well as the amount of physical activity which accompanied each week. More important, the enablers and disablers began to become mainstreamed with most finding that the need to exercise related to others instead of being individual preferences that motivated one to exercise. The second aspect related to the physical activity and blog posts was found in the habitual activities that were a part of the posts. The first weeks analyzed had a sense of inconsistency with physical activity being either a secondary part of what was occurring or something which one didn’t have time to do. However, after week 4, there was a noted change and sense of pattern with the enablers and disablers. Each of the blogs had similar enablers and disablers o why they liked or didn’t like to exercise. More important, the enablers began to change to wording such as being motivated to exercise, feeling good after exercising and making it a part of routine. The amount of activity also increase among the majority of blog users, showing that the ability to grow into the habit of exercise became a main proponent that allowed one to socially relate to others to build a habit of physical activity. The third aspect with the barriers and enablers related to the blog posts is based on the levels of knowledge and understanding that are a part of the physical activity. When looking at the increase in physical activity, it could also be seen that changes were made in how one decided to exercise as well as what they found out. Some of the blog entries were from trial and error, others were focused on building habits and some came from suggestions left from comments. For instance, changing routines from running and walking to focusing on a gym were some of the patterns that began to change. Others began to find alternative ways to exercise through classes and programs which were known to assist with health. By looking at these components, it could be seen that levels of knowledge had to be built in relation to how one exercised. The barriers and enablers related to this as the barriers were first based on not having specific activities to do, such as weather being too bad. However, in the later weeks, habits and routines were formed. This was combined with a change in the barriers that were no longer restricted to only taking part in certain activities, but instead allowed one to have more knowledge based on what types of physical activities to do and how to boost personal motivation through not only social interaction, but also by a thorough understanding of what was required for physical activity. The concepts associated with physical activity are promoted not only through personal desire or hindrances to exercise. More important, are various dimensions that contribute to whether one exercises as well as how they respond to specific types of activity. The primary motivational factor in physical activity is based on social interactions and the level of support one has. This creates a different level of motivation through psychological development which leads into positive habits that promote health and well – being. Combining this with building deeper understandings of what is needed to exercise as well as how one can work toward healthy initiatives without a support group are also a part of the physical activity. This works to promote and enable one toward exercising as a habit while gaining support and motivation through both social interaction and knowledge about physical activity. References McAuley, E, B Blissmer, DX Marquez, GJ Jerome, AF Kramer, J Katula. (2000). “Social Relations, Physical Activity, and Well – Being in Older Adults.” Preventative Medicine (31), (5). Nardi, Bonnie, Diane Schiano, Michelle Gumbrecht. (2004). “Blogging as Social Activity, or, Would You Let 900 Million People Read Your Diary?” Computer Supported Cooperative Work (12). Sallis, JF, JJ Prochaska, WC Taylor. (2000). “A Review of Correlates of Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents.” Medicine and Science (17), (1) s Shephard, RJ. (2002). “Limits to the Measurement of Habitual Physical Activity by Questionnaires.” British Journal of Sports Medicine (37), (3). Read More