International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Prof. Dr. Winfried E. Banzer

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Guest Editor

Division of Preventive and Sports Medicine, Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60487 Frankfurt, Germany
Interests: preventive medicine; sports medicine; healthy aging; cognition; exercise; cancer care

Dr. Eszter Füzéki

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Guest Editor

Division of Preventive and Sports Medicine, Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
Interests: health promition; physical activity promotion; healthy aging; cognition; physical activity policies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Insufficient physical activity is associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases with a high disease burden and contributes to frailty and loss of independence in old age. Thus, the incorporation of exercise as a preventative and therapeutic measure should be adopted in the health care setting. For this Special Issue, we are seeking research papers on the role of exercise and physical activity in medical care for individuals of all ages, both those in the general population and those in special disease populations. Possible endpoints can include disease-related objectives and patient-related outcomes. Papers on the implementation and evaluation of care concepts, including exercise, are also of interest.

Prof. Dr. Winfried E. Banzer
Dr. Eszter Füzéki
Guest Editors

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Keywords

physical activity
exercise
chronic diseases
health
quality of life
care
physical activity prescription

Published Papers (1 paper)

Research

18 pages, 668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“It’s More Than Just Exercise”: Tailored Exercise at a Community-Based Activity Center as a Liminal Space along the Road to Mental Health Recovery and Citizenship

by Kjersti Karoline Danielsen, May Helena Øydna, Sofia Strömmer and Kenneth Haugjord

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10516; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910516 - 07 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4056

Abstract

Mental health care policies call for health-promoting and recovery-oriented interventions, as well as community-based programs supporting healthier habits. The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals facing mental health challenges experienced participating in tailored exercise at a community-based activity center, and what role tailored exercise could play in supporting an individual’s process of recovery. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with nine adults experiencing poor mental health who engaged in exercise at the activity center. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using systematic text condensation. Participants spoke about the community-based program being a safe space where they could “come as they are” (Theme 1). Taking part in the program was “more than just exercise” and allowed them to connect with others (Theme 2). The experiences they gained from exercise also helped with other areas in life and provided them with a safe space to build their confidence towards the “transition back to the outside” (Theme 3). We summarized the findings into one overall theme: “inside vs. outside”. In conclusion, a community-based activity center acted as a liminal space that aided mental health recovery by allowing participants to feel safe, accepted and supported, as well as experience citizenship. The findings highlight the need to treat mental health challenges as a contextual phenomenon and creating arenas for community and citizenship in society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Life: Sport, Medicine and Care)

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