Correlates and Predictors of Black Women’s Physical Activity Afrocentric Insights

1. Ketra L. Armstrong, University of Michigan, 1402 Washington Heights, 3139 Observatory Lodge, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2013, USA. Email: ketra@umich.edu

Abstract

The health benefits of physical activity have long been well documented. However, standing at the crossroads of gender, race, and physical inactivity are Black women. Consequently, Black women tend to have higher health maladies than Black males, Caucasian women, and other Women of Color. As such, this investigation sought to examine the behavioral correlates and predictors of a case selection of Black women’s (N = 123) physical activity, noting the impact of race. The analyses revealed that: (a) the women were moderately physically active, (b) their physical activity was positively correlated with their sport media behaviors, and (c) psychological stimulation, educational attainment, and racial identification were positive predictors of their participation in physical activity. A noteworthy contribution of this exploratory investigation was the finding of an operative and influential ‘raced/Black psyche’ and the illumination of the corresponding Afrocentric insights yielded.