Punjabi Sikh patients' perceived barriers to engaging in physical exercise following myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this research was to describe Punjabi Sikh patients' perceived barriers to engaging in physical exercise following myocardial infarction (MI).


METHODS
A qualitative, interpretive descriptive methodology was used. The sample included 15 Punjabi Sikh patients who were attending a cardiac rehabilitation education program in an urban center of British Columbia, Canada, following MI.


METHODS
Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and were audio recorded, translated from Punjabi to English, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using an interpretive thematic approach that involved a process of coding and constant comparison.


RESULTS
Four key factors emerged that related to participants' perceived barriers to sustained engagement in physical activity: (1) difficulty in determining safe exertion levels independently; (2) fatigue and weakness; (3) preference for 'informal' exercise; and (4) migration-related challenges.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings have implications for the design and delivery of health promotion strategies aimed at Punjabi Sikh patients' post-MI that is contingent on the use of 'formal' exercise settings to promote regular physical activity. The willingness among Punjabi Sikh patients to practise brisk walking offers a positive direction that public health nurses and other healthcare professionals may want to capitalize on in the delivery of exercise-related health promotion.
Department of Health Sciences, The University of York, Heslington, York, UK. paul.galdas@york.ac.uk
Paul M
PM
Galdas
John L
JL
Oliffe
H Bindy K
HB
Kang
Mary T
MT
Kelly
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001955:British Columbia; D003469:Culture; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012067:Religion