Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 Nov 8.
Published in final edited form as: Res Nurs Health. 2004 Oct;27(5):357–369. doi: 10.1002/nur.20029

Table 1.

Summary of Focus Group Preferences and Modifiable Factors

Factors Preferences/Responses
Format Step aerobics
Kick boxing
Music “Club” or dance music
Benefits Improved appearance
Meeting/making new friends
Barriers Time constraints with school (particularly during exams)
Need for accessibility during bad weather
Getting over aches/pains/soreness during the initial sessions
Fear of being unable to keep up with the exercise regimen
Time of day Late afternoon or evening exercise sessions (5 or 6 pm) for campus residents
May need to change to an earlier time period during summer session
Earlier afternoon session (around 3 pm) for commuters
Location Commuter students favored the campus gym
Campus residents split between gym and residence hall
Concerns about availability of showers and presence of men in the exercise area
Exercise leader Fit,motivating,andparticularlyattentivetotheneedsofnewexercisers/neophytes
Preference for female exercise leader
No preferences regarding age or ethnicity of leader
Incentives/motivators Majority recommended a party and/or small cash payment at the end of the study
Small incentives (e.g., water bottles, nutrition bars, shower gel, socks, coupons for exercise clothing, or shoes) throughout the study
Increased stamina/energy, feeling fit, attaining target heart rates
Positive feedback from the exercise leader(s)