"It's not just a workout class. It's a safe space." Victim-survivor perspectives on the design and delivery of a trauma and violence-informed cardio boxing exercise intervention.
Victim-survivors of intimate partner violence are at an increased risk of developing a range of physical and mental health conditions (i.e., post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, cardio-vascular disease, chronic pain, sleep difficulties), all of which have the potential to be supported via physical activity. Whilst a limited number of studies have demonstrated that moderate-vigorous forms of physical activity, such as non-contact cardio-boxing, may be beneficial for victim-survivors' healing and recovery, few have been co-designed with lived-living experience experts. Therefore, this study aimed to centre women victim-survivor voices to understand their needs in the design and delivery of a trauma and violence-informed, non-contact cardio boxing exercise intervention. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted online with n=14 self-identified women or biological females with lived-living experience of intimate partner violence across Australia. Interviews explored factors influencing acceptability, feasibility, trauma and violence-informed design, barriers to adoption and sustainable implementation. Data were interpreted using Reflective Thematic Analysis. Four themes were developed: 1) the evolving relationship victim-survivors have with exercise and their bodies; 2) cardio boxing as an empowered exercise choice to move through anger 3) understanding that safety considerations come first for victim-survivors; and 4) real-world trauma and violence-informed solutions. Whilst these findings underscore the importance of collaborative trauma and violence-informed approaches to physical activity intervention development and design for intimate partner violence victim-survivors, these insights are applicable beyond this population, including real-world use within a range of physical activity settings (i.e., community gyms, sporting clubs, exercise physiology clinics).
Authors
Baker Baker, Mundell Mundell, Rosenbaum Rosenbaum, Koorts Koorts, Teychenne Teychenne
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