1. ' I've learned a lot about myself this year' : Young student women's perceptions of their cumulative use of digital fitness technologies across the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Author
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Bell, Beth T, Norminton, Sarah, and Dollimore, Kora
- Subjects
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DIGITAL technology , *SOCIAL media , *INTERVIEWING , *RETROSPECTIVE studies , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *BODY image , *THEMATIC analysis , *PHYSICAL fitness , *MEDICAL records , *ACQUISITION of data , *STUDENT attitudes , *WOMEN'S health , *COVID-19 pandemic , *WELL-being - Abstract
Many young women turned to digital fitness technologies (DFT) to support their health and wellbeing during the covid-19 pandemic. The present study explores young student women's retrospective perceptions of their cumulative engagement with DFT, across periods of restriction and easing (March 2020–2021). Seventeen UK-based women (Age M = 20.29, SD = 1.72); Ethnicity White = 94.12% participated in one-on-one interviews using an adapted scroll-back technique. Data was analysed using narrative-informed reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were developed: My lockdown #fitnesstransformation: DFT as information and inspiration, My unrealistic expectations: DFT as a source of comparison and concern and My new body positive and resilient self: DFT as a catalyst to self-development. Themes highlight how perceptions of DFT changed over time as a consequence of repeat engagement, sociocultural context and psychological meaning-making. Crucially, findings underscore the importance of examining the collective and cumulative effects of DFT engagement on health and wellbeing, both positive and negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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