title: "Positive deviants": a qualitative study of physically active adults in rural environments.
abstract: Rural residents, particularly those in the South, are less physically active than their urban counterparts and often live in areas with limited walkability (e.g., no sidewalks) and minimal access to recreational facilities. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of what makes certain rural residents physically active despite their environment. Qualitative interviews (N = 29) were conducted with physically active adults who live in rural areas (e.g., outside of town) in southwest Georgia. Participants were 65.5% male and 24.1% African American, with a mean age of 55.9 years. Results suggest that physically active adults in rural areas are motivated by their health and perceive their local surroundings as a resource for physical activity. Understanding how these physically active adults take advantage of their living situations to be physically active has the potential to inform interventions that encourage physical activity in this high-risk population.
authors: Emory Prevention Research Center, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. mkegler@sph.emory.edu
authors: Michelle C
authors: MC
authors: Kegler
authors: Iris
authors: I
authors: Alcantara
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Dubruiel
authors: J K
authors: JK
authors: Veluswamy
authors: Hannah
authors: H
authors: Appelbaum
authors: Sandy
authors: S
authors: Handwerk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012424:Rural Population; D044465:White People; D014937:Work