Exploring Physical Activity and Barriers to Exercise in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adults Initiating or Continuing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Key Points

• The study aims to understand how gender-affirming hormone therapy affects exercise comfort and the barriers faced by transgender and gender-diverse adults.
• Surveyed transgender and gender-diverse individuals about their experiences with exercise before and after starting hormone therapy.
• Assessed comfort levels in different exercise settings and identified specific barriers to physical activity.
• Increased comfort exercising at home and decreased comfort in sports leagues after starting gender-affirming hormone therapy.
• Barriers identified included fear of acceptance, harassment, and body discomfort, especially notable among transgender women.
• Findings suggest the importance of creating safer and more inclusive exercise environments to enhance physical activity access.