Effects of a trauma- and violence-informed physical activity program on mood and wellbeing among women who have experienced violence

Physical activity offers numerous health and wellbeing benefits, yet people experiencing gender-based violence, housing precarity, systemic oppression, and other forms of trauma are at heightened risk of physical inactivity. Trauma- and violence-informed physical activity (TVIPA) programming is a promising approach to support physical activity amongst these populations. This study examined the effects of a multi-site, community-based TVIPA intervention for women who have experienced interpersonal or structural violence. Using a feminist participatory action research approach, interventions were co-developed with community partners and implemented across four sites in Canada, prioritizing communities with limited access to structured physical activity programs. Each site offered a series of 7 six-week physical activity programs (e.g., dance, swimming, yoga) designed to foster safety, empowerment, and connection. Immediate effects were assessed using pre- and post-session mood ratings, and longer-term effects were captured through pre- and post-program measures of subjective mental and physical wellbeing across the six-week series. Of the 168 enrolled participants, 143 contributed repeated self-reported mood ratings before and after physical activity sessions. Participants reported moderately positive mood before sessions and further elevated positive mood afterward (M change = 0.94/5, SD = 0.94, d = 1.00), with the greatest improvements occurring on days when they began in a less positive mood. Across the six-week program, greater attendance was associated with improvements in mental health (b = 0.06, p < .001), but with lower physical health scores (b = -0.06, p < .001). Findings underscore the potential of community-driven, trauma- and violence-informed physical activity to enhance wellbeing among women affected by violence and structural inequities.