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A healthier way to meet people: the experiences of LGBT people exercising with a peer group

08 October 2020
Research
02 October 2020
Volume 29 · Issue 18

Abstract

Background:

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) individuals have been shown to have poorer health when compared to those who identified as heterosexual. Additionally, they encounter barriers that deter participation in sports.

Aim:

To understand the experiences of LGBT individuals who participate in physical activity with peers.

Method:

An exploratory-descriptive qualitative (EDQ) study with data collected via face-to-face interviews from 12 participants. Data were thematically analysed to identify findings.

Findings:

exercising with peers represents a healthier way to meet people. Participants experienced improved physical, mental and social health.

Conclusion:

Engaging with a peer group for physical activity can have a transformational effect on members of the LGBT community, impacting on all aspects of their wellbeing. Nurses, and other health professionals, should be aware of the multifaceted benefits that exercising with a peer group can have, using their regular interactions with this patient group to recommend peer-supported exercise.

This article reports on a qualitative research study that explored the experience of predominately LGBT—lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans—people who have exercised with a peer group; in this case, running. For the purpose of the study the authors used the Stonewall Scotland definition, which states that ‘trans’ is an umbrella term for individuals whose gender is not the same as the sex they were assigned at birth (https://tinyurl.com/trans-stonewall).

It is recognised that there are lower levels of participation in physical activity within the LGBT community (Gorczynski and Brittain, 2016). As such, nurses and health professionals need to understand the experiences of this patient group in order to encourage LGBT patients to become active and enjoy the health benefits associated with physical activity (Gorczynski and Brittain, 2016). This study aimed to understand the impact of being part of an LGBT running group had on those who attended. To achieve this, the authors conducted face-to-face interviews with participants with questions that explored:

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LGBT health
Exercise
Peer support
Qualitative research
Marginalised groups