Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

The medically underserved: who is likely to exercise and why?

Susan Labuda Schrop¹, Brian F Pendleton, Gary McCord

¹Department of Family Medicine, Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine, USA. sschrop@neoucom.edu

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved

|May 17, 2006

Summary

Regular exercise improves health, but many underserved adults don't exercise. Healthcare provider discussions about exercise did not increase patient activity, highlighting the need for tailored interventions considering patient barriers and motivations.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

On the Birth of US Family Medicine and the Residency Assistance Program.

Family medicine·2026

Same author

The Efficacy of Technology-Enhanced Behavioral Parent Training for Families With Low Income: Do Parent-Centered Profiles Moderate Treatment Outcomes?

Behavior therapy·2025

Same author

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Reduces Patient-Reported Chronic Toxicity Compared With Conventional Pelvic Radiation Therapy: Updated Results of a Phase III Trial.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·2022

Same author

Improvement in Patient-Reported Outcomes With Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (RT) Compared With Standard RT: A Report From the NRG Oncology RTOG 1203 Study.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·2020

Same author

Expanded validation of the EPIC bowel and urinary domains for use in women with gynecologic cancer undergoing postoperative radiotherapy.

Gynecologic oncology·2019

Same author

Patient-Reported Toxicity During Pelvic Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy: NRG Oncology-RTOG 1203.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·2018

Area of Science:

Public Health
Health Disparities
Behavioral Medicine

Background:

Regular physical activity is crucial for adult health.
Low income and female populations exhibit lower exercise rates.
Understanding exercise counseling effectiveness in underserved groups is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the frequency of exercise counseling among medically underserved patients.
To identify characteristics, motivations, and barriers related to exercise in this population.
To assess the impact of provider discussions on patient exercise engagement.

Main Methods:

A convenience sample of low-income, uninsured/underinsured adults was surveyed.
Data collected on demographics, health status, exercise habits, and provider counseling.

Related Experiment Videos

Statistical analysis to identify correlations between counseling, characteristics, and exercise.

Main Results:

60% of patients reported exercise discussions with providers, but this did not correlate with increased activity.
Women, and those with lung problems, diabetes, or children were less likely to exercise.
Key barriers included time, cost, and access to facilities; motivations centered on body image and health.

Conclusions:

Current exercise counseling by healthcare providers may be ineffective for underserved populations.
Interventions must address individual patient characteristics, health status, readiness, and specific barriers.
Tailored strategies are needed to promote physical activity in vulnerable groups.