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Empowerment through digital health trackers: an exploration of Indigenous Australian women and physical activity in leisure settings

Version 2 2024-09-18, 23:31
Version 1 2023-05-20, 07:31
journal contribution
posted on 2024-09-18, 23:31 authored by Hazel MaxwellHazel Maxwell, M O'Shea, Megan StronachMegan Stronach, S Pearce

Drawing on a strengths-based empowerment approach and Indigenous traditions of ‘yarning’, this research explores how digital health technologies might contribute to Indigenous Australian women’s increased participation in physical activity in leisure settings. While people have long controlled their bodies, conventionally through diaries and weight scales, digital self-tracking of one’s bodily states and activities continues to expand. No previous studies have addressed how these technologies influence physical activity among this population and there is limited research about Indigenous Australian people’s leisure experiences and the meanings they attribute to them. Accordingly, this research contributes to an under researched area of health and leisure studies concerned with understanding the social, narrative and affective facets of individuals’ practices and experiences. Key findings from the pilot study include intersections between the use of health trackers and Indigenous women’s prioritizing time for leisure, increased physical activity, enhanced health literacy, and greater personal accountability for lifestyle choices.

Funding

Australia and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies

History

Publication title

Annals of Leisure Research

Volume

24

Issue

1

Pagination

1-18

ISSN

1174-5398

Department/School

Health Sciences, Nursing, Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre

Publisher

Routledge

Publication status

  • Published

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

© 2019 Australia and New Zealand Association of Leisure Studies

Socio-economic Objectives

210302 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status and outcomes, 200204 Health inequalities

UN Sustainable Development Goals

3 Good Health and Well Being