Physical activity perceptions and experiences of BAME Teesside University students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

The study sought to explore the barriers and facilitators for making physical activity lifestyle choices among Black Asian Ethnic Minority (BAME) students at Teesside University during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative approach was used to capture the in-depth physical activity experiences of BAME individuals. There is a paucity of primary qualitative studies focusing on BAME individuals’ activity lifestyles prior to and during the COVID-19 lockdowns between April and August 2020. BAME individuals faced exacerbated physical, psychological, social, and institutional barriers which are mapped onto the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B). Twelve BAME participants were interviewed via Microsoft Teams using semi-structured interviews lasting 45 to 60 minutes. Using thematic analysis, we identified seven themes; the two primary ones were barriers and facilitators to being active and were successfully mapped onto the modified COM-B. Although existing literature has used the COM-B, these were primary quantitative findings that did not enable an in-depth exploration of BAME individuals lived experiences of physical activity participation during COVID-19. Thus, the COM-B model was modified to reflect this research’ qualitative approach, through which improved policies and implementation strategies may be applied specifically to BAME individuals.