Conference Agenda
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Daily Overview |
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GR1_2_1: Abstract presentations: Systems, Policy and Equity in Physical Activity Promotion Location: Glass room 1 Session Chair: Anja Frei | |
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10:55am - 11:05am
Injury as a barrier to organised sport and physical activity participation among physically inactive women: characteristics, impacts and associations 1: Centre for Sport and Social Impact, La Trobe University, Australia; 2: La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University, Australia; 3: School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Australia; 4: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Australia; 5: Australian International Olympic Committee Research Centre, La Trobe University, Australia; 6: School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Australia; 7: Monash University Indonesia Background and aim of the study: In Australia, injury is one of the main barriers to women’s participation in organised sport and physical activity, yet its role among physically inactive women remains poorly understood. This study aimed to describe the demographic characteristics of women reporting injury as a barrier, identify affected body regions and participation impacts, and examine associations with injury-affected status. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by women aged≥18 years who participated in social sport programs in Victoria, Australia. Data included demographic, physical activity and injury-related measures. Analyses included physically inactive women who undertook ≤150 minutes of physical activity per-week and had complete injury-status data. Descriptive statistics characterised participants; logistic regression examined associations with injury-affected status. Results: Of 1,339 physically inactive women (82.7% of respondents), 279 (20.8%) were injury-affected. The knee (39.0%), lower back (29.9%), and ankle (24.7%) were the most common injury sites. Univariate associations were observed for geographical location, education, income, parental status, and regular physical activity confidence; in the multivariate model, only lower income and lower confidence remained associated with higher odds of injury-affected status (OR=1.84–3.28, p<0.05). Conclusions: Injury/pain was reported as a barrier by one in five physically inactive women participating in social sport, with socioeconomic disadvantage and low physical activity confidence associated with injury-affected status. Health-enhancing physical activity initiatives should incorporate tailored, gender-responsive injury prevention and management strategies that address structural inequities and build confidence for sustained participation. Support/Funding Source: VicHealth and participating VicHealth-funded sport organisations. | |
