Friday, September 13, 2024

Media Contact:
Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | editor@okstate.edu

Firefighters, law enforcement officials, military personnel and emergency medical
workers are the first responders in emergencies, risking their lives daily to save
others and provide critical aid.  

These tactical athletes are thrust into life-threatening situations at a moment’s
notice to ensure people’s security and safety, which can put them at risk of unique
health problems and even premature death. 

Often, first responders’ health and fitness are overlooked, and the resources to make
changes are limited. 

In 2019, Oklahoma State University took a step to optimize health, fitness and performance
for these populations by establishing the Tactical Fitness and Nutrition Lab.  

Co-directors Dr. Jay Dawes, professor of applied exercise science, and Dr. Jill Joyce,
associate professor of nutritional sciences, created the lab to help tactical athletes
perform their jobs safely and efficiently during their careers and retire healthy.

Together, Joyce and Dawes are exploring opportunities to work with OSU’s Human Performance
and Nutrition Research Institution to accelerate the land-grant mission and fuel the
work they are already doing with tactical athletes. 

“There’s this awesome culture on campus when it comes to research. People often get
very competitive, and it’s cutthroat. That is not the culture here,” Joyce said. “We
are very supportive, and I think HPNRI fits in beautifully with that. I expect them
to continue helping make connections.”   

The lab collaborates with an organization to evaluate their fitness and nutrition.
OSU then provides strategies to guide personnel toward a healthier path.  

Forty-five percent of firefighter on-the-job deaths are from heart attacks, not fire,
Joyce said. 

As firefighters rush to the scene, their hearts race and blood pressure spikes. The
combined stress of the urgent task, along with personal factors such as fitness level,
hydration and nutritional status can increase strain on their heart. 

Despite these demands, a healthy firefighter’s body can handle the pressure, minimizing
the risk of major health issues or death. 

“Research on big groups of national firefighter deaths found that none occurred in
healthy individuals,” Joyce said. “They all occurred in people who had underlying
heart disease, high blood pressure, which could be because of the job, but also factors
like high cholesterol, obesity. Nutrition, followed by physical activity are the leading
risk factors for those. I would say the job pulls the trigger, but lifestyle loads
the gun.” 

Joyce collaborates with first responders and their families on nutrition. Common practices
for the general public often don’t work for tactical athletes, making it challenging
to meet their nutritional needs.  

“If somebody eats out too much, and they’re not eating healthy food when they eat
out, my students always suggest they should pack their lunches, but when you work
in a car for 10 hours a day with no fridge, freezer or microwave — it’s a curveball,”
Joyce said. 

Brittany Wheeler, Colorado State Patrol wellness and fitness coordinator, learned
that officers want more nutrition material, which prompted her to connect with Joyce. 

“This whole concept of making wellness more important in our agency is probably like
six, seven years old now, but it takes forever to change culture,” Wheeler said. “She
helped me dial down the material to the specifics, like learning how to read a nutrition
label.”  

As an instructor at the academy, Wheeler has 23 weeks to work with cadets teaching
them the basics of nutrition and wellness.  

Outside the academy, Wheeler provides officers with resources such as Joyce’s nutrition
classes and a handout showing how to eat healthily at a restaurant.  

“That was huge just to start that conversation,” Wheeler said. “We can’t always bring
our food. We’ll have 14-hour shifts, where you have to go to a gas station, or you’ll
have to stop for fast food, but to create that awareness piece is great.” 

It’s challenging to find tactical athlete specific resources in a world where new
health trends emerge every day. Wheeler said having access to Joyce and Dawes is important
to ensure the information she shares is accurate.  

“It’s just one of those things that you’ve got to start somewhere,” Wheeler said.  “… You have to meet people where they are. They have to start changing, changing
the culture, and creating those conversations and just start super simple.” 

Typically, unhealthy snacks or baked goods are found on fire station countertops that
firefighters picked up at the store or were delivered by the community, Joyce said.
Often those foods are leading to health issues. 

“Usually, the food environment is set up to destroy them,” Joyce said. “That’s not
going to fuel performance or health. We are looking at department-level changes. Should
we have a policy that says no junk food on the counters? Should I put out a PSA that
says bring fruit baskets and veggie trays? We’re trying to set up systems so that
they have knowledge and skills, but also the environments, the cultures, the people
that allow them to do that.” 

As part of dietary assessments, Joyce provides nutrition report cards with color codes
and letter grades to highlight areas of concern and how to improve. Then, they teach
them how to set up their home food environment to support instead of sabotage them
and how to eat healthy while dining out. 

“I can teach firefighters all day long how to eat healthy, and that gives them knowledge
and maybe even skill, but if the environment isn’t set up to let them use that knowledge
and skill, then they can’t use it,” Joyce said. “I need to figure out what’s going
on beyond them, to get them to be able to do that.  

“We create interventions that departments can put their people through, that will
address knowledge and skill and readiness of the group, so they’re all more supportive
and ready to do this, and then we’ll work with departments to alter the food environment.” 

Kim Wiesmann, public health specialist for the Indianapolis Fire Department, evaluates
firefighters’ health and safety issues and identifies interventions to mitigate or
prevent them. 

“We’re always trying to reduce our overweight and obese firefighters,” Wiesmann said.
“We’re trying to reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and metabolic syndrome, and so
one of the big areas that we feel that we can do that is through nutrition.”  

The resources Dawes and Joyce supply aren’t one size fits all. In fact, they give
detailed assistance in specific areas.

“I can take a look at our data, see where we’re having issues, and then utilize Jay
or Jill as a resource to help us, then focus on what we really need to do that could
maybe help with that issue,” Wiesmann said. 

Currently, in the IFD recruit school, recruits are taught how to cook healthy meals
in the station and meal prep dishes to better prepare them to be healthy on the job.
 

As a government agency, resources can be limited when trying to implement evidence-based
practices and it can be hard to find individuals who are willing to help.  

“I’m just so grateful for Jill and Jay because they are so willing to offer up advice
and resources when I can’t always give them something back,” Wiesmann said.  

Tactical athlete requirements are like professional athletes as far as strength and
power, speed and agility, except they perform on a moment’s notice with occupational
loads and wear personal protective equipment — which, combined with shift work and
unhealthy lifestyles, puts stress on the body.

On the physical fitness side, Dawes conducts research on topics ranging from public
health to high-level performance to help first responders efficiently perform throughout
their careers. 

“We look at what fitness standards will help best predict job suitability, health
status and fitness status,” Dawes said. “We also look at different types of practices
within the profession to see if they are the most efficient ways of going about performing
certain job tasks.”  

Exemplifying OSU’s land-grant mission, the lab is a mobile unit where the testing
and assessment equipment is easily transported into a community to meet the needs
of tactical athletes to help combat the challenges they face in their jobs and everyday
lives.  

“We’ve done physical assessments, provided some sample training programs and individualized
wellness programs. We work with their lead wellness team member to implement different
strategies to help them continue to be more fit, and we really introduce that health
and wellness lifestyle within the organization to help transition the culture to one
that’s more health and wellness oriented,” Dawes said.  

Along with the Warriors Rest Foundation, the lab is working with the Edmond Police
Department to set up an in-house wellness program. 

“In a lot of cases, what we have to do is undo what the job does to them,” Dawes said.
“At the end of the day, they’re not playing for trophies and medals. It’s about life
and death, public safety and national security. At the end of the day, they’re trying
to preserve safety and lives.” 

Following a nationwide push for holistic wellness programs in law enforcement, the
EPD started a wellness program. 

Stephanie Williams recently became the full-time wellness coordinator, but her work
with EPD began in a smaller capacity in 2022 as she provided counseling services following
the department’s first line of duty death. 

Through that experience, Williams sparked conversations surrounding mental health
and self-care and learned the officers were interested in their health.  

“One of the things people were really interested in is physical fitness and nutrition,
because it is different for law enforcement officers than it is for me or the general public, because of their shift work and the high cortisol levels,” Williams
said. 

Through the partnership with the lab, Dawes performs assessments and then creates
strategic workouts for the officers that Williams can post around the gym for optimal
performance.

“The difference between his type of workouts and what other people do is he’s able
to put in both strength and flexibility exercises, because if you get called out in
the middle of your workout, you’ve got to go. He wants to make sure there’s not going
to be any injuries,” Williams said.  

Williams said many times officers don’t know where to start because their body is
in a different condition than when they left the academy. So, EPD hosts social functions
to encourage officers and their families to start their physical fitness journey which
also helps strengthen their mental health.  

“What we know about wellness is that wellness works within police departments, wellness
works when we include the family,” Williams said. 

Williams has worked with first responders for 20 years and has seen how those that
lack fitness or nutrition struggle with sleep, clear thinking and mental health issues.
People in these careers also tend to retire earlier than those in other career fields,
but they typically live just five to seven years after retirement. 

And while EPD is still new to the lab, Williams is already seeing changes in how officers
reach out to Dawes about tiny injuries instead of pushing through the pain. Her goal
is for everything to come together to help people feel better physically and mentally
on the job and in retirement.  

“What this partnership is offering is so amazing,” Williams said. “It has a ripple
effect, not just within our law enforcement officers or our first responders and their
families, but also, that ripple effect goes to the community. These officers are dealing
with people on their hardest days, and so when they’re taken care of, their family
life is better, but I think our communities are better too.”

Photos by: Gary Lawson, Ellie Piper and Provided

Story by: Sydney Trainor | STATE Magazine

Fiction usually depicts nerds and gamers in two extremes: a big dude inhaling burgers while lying on the couch, or a scrawny beanpole of a person with long hair and big glasses. Very unfortunately, I am the type who prefers lying around all day while munching on snacks. You can imagine the wonders that does to my figure. But never fear, fellow nerds and gamers who can’t be bothered to slot the Joy-Cons into the Ring Fit ring every day! Hatsune Miku and her Vocaloid friends are here to whip you into shape with some fitness boxing in Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku, and she’s ready to throw hands.

For starters, something that you’ll notice when you boot up the game is that the Vocaloids all speak in their native Japanese. However, the instructor who coaches you through your exercises speaks in English. It personally is a little jarring to hear a Vocaloid’s synthetic voice chitter away at me in Japanese, followed by Lin, carefully enunciating every syllable, telling me (in English) to keep my back straight. It didn’t take long for me to sort of tune it out while exercising, but it was a little distracting on the first day.

Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku is pretty much what it says on the tin. An instructor tells you what to do or reminds you what proper form is. Meanwhile, a Vocaloid of your choice boxes with you while offering words of encouragement. They’re nice even if you mess up your combo, and the positive atmosphere made it easy to keep going every day. Miku Exercise is the mode where you get to box to a Vocaloid song. I’m a fan of the selection, which features classics like “Melt” all the way to “The Vampire.” Other favorites include “Melancholic,” “World End Dancehall,” and “Romeo and Cinderella.” I’m hoping that DLC in the future will introduce some more songs and Vocaloid partners.

In Fitness Boxing, you have to punch and move while staying in rhythm. The action the game wants you to do appears on screen, like Beat Saber or a more violent version of Colorful Stage. You start out with simple jabs and straights, then move on to hooks and uppercuts, before finally adding in dodges like sways. So the more you play, the more variation you’ll get in your daily workout. Of course, you can also go straight to the Miku Exercise and jump past all the combo lessons if you’re confident in your skills.

When I first started fitness boxing, I thought that it wasn’t as useful as Ring Fit. The physical ring that you have to use, as well as all the different kinds of exercise you can do in that game, made it feel like I was getting a lot more out of my workout. But as I continued on my fitness boxing journey, certain stretches and moves became easier than they were when I first started. That was a great feeling. I don’t understand why I never get that satisfied sense of exhaustion I always felt after yoga or Ring Fit, but maybe my daily workouts need to be a lot longer than thirty to forty minutes per session.

Since I tossed my scale ages ago for mental health reasons, I don’t know the effect Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku has on my weight or my waist line. I certainly feel better though! Compared to Ring Fit, it’s way easier to boot up, so I’m less tempted to skip a day or two out of sheer laziness. Though my review ends here, my fitness journey has only just begun.

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku is readily available on the Nintendo Switch.

Authors: Edward P. Hebert¹, and Jada McGuin²

ABSTRACT

This study describes attitudes of adult exercisers toward female and male personal fitness trainers, and compares responses of male and female, younger vs older exercisers, and those with varying levels of exercise experience. Recruited from 4 fitness gyms, 201 adults aged 18 to 77 completed an anonymous survey where they provided relative attitude ratings toward female vs. male fitness trainers specific to the trainer’s knowledge, helping meet personal fitness goals, following their directions, comfort discussing struggles with exercise, working with the trainer for an extended time, and referring others to them. Participants rated male trainers higher for fitness knowledge, and were more willing to follow their directions, work with them for an extended time, and refer clients to them, but perceived a female trainer more favorably for discussing their struggles with exercise. Significant gender, age, and experience differences were found. Gender-biased perceptions were highest among male, older, and inexperienced exercisers, who had more positive attitudes toward male fitness trainers. Attitudes of women, younger, and experienced exercisers tended to be more neutral, and favor female trainers for meeting personal goals and discussing struggles. The results of this exploratory study suggest gender-biased exercise attitudes are influenced by participant gender, as well as age and experience, and provide impetus for additional research on exercise attitudes.

Keywords: personal training, beliefs, perceptions, biases

INTRODUCTION

Recent decades have seen a great expansion of the fitness industry signaled by an increase in the number of adults exercising in fitness centers around the world. This rise has been attributed to a number of factors including global recognition of the benefits of physical activity, endorsement of exercise by the medical community, and growth of the fitness industry (1, 23). Yet, exercise adherence remains problematic (30, 32) and fitness clubs tend to have low retention rates (23). The practice of exercising with a personal fitness trainer (PFT) has increased in popularity and personal training has become a standard feature in many settings (5, 21, 23, 33). PFTs design and supervise exercise programs, and help clients set and reach personal goals. In addition, they engage in practices to promote an active lifestyle, motivate clients, and facilitate their exercise competence and self-efficacy, which can play an important role in exercise adherence (23, 29, 33). Studies of consumers consistently identify a fitness club’s staff, and fitness leaders’ instruction, feedback, and support as among the most important factors in customer satisfaction (15, 27). In addition, satisfaction with individualized training is positively associated with exercise motivation and self-efficacy (33). Consistent evidence points to the benefits of exercising with a PFT. Studies show that individuals who train with a PFT are more likely to attend exercise sessions and adhere to programs (2, 12, 18, 26). Those who train with a PFT have been found to exercise at higher intensities (25, 31) and make greater strength and fitness gains (24, 25) than those who exercise independently. These results are similar to findings comparing individuals who train alone vs. under the supervision of a fitness professional (9, 14).

            Studies of fitness settings have often concluded that gender plays a role in gym-related attitudes and behaviors. In their review, Håman et al. (16) suggested fitness gym spaces are strongly associated with male bodies and norms, and gender norms influence social practices and behaviors there. Exercise motivation has been tied to weight loss for women and enhancing muscularity among men (20). Certain types of exercise are considered masculine or feminine, and exercisers have been shown to use gendered language to refer to areas of the gym (7). Interview-based studies of PFTs indicate that a clients’ gender influences their advice (16) and they recognize that gender plays a role in clients’ selection of a trainer (29).

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            The results of previous interview-based studies (21, 28) indicated that women prefer a female PFT. This preference is based on perceptions of being less self-conscious about their bodies with a female trainer, and the beliefs that a female trainer would better understand and empathize with their struggles with exercise and comfort levels in the gym. Survey-based research comparing perceptions of male and female fitness trainers have studied the attitudes of college students, and produced mixed results. In their study of 402 undergraduates, Fisher et al. (13) found no clear preference for a male or female PFT, yet hypothetical female PFTs received higher ratings for general perceptions of competence, and participants’ willingness to discuss progress and take instructions/corrections from them, compared to male trainers. Boerner et al. (5) similarly found that college undergraduates perceived female PFTs as more competent and knowledgeable than males. However, male students preferred to work with a male fitness trainer, while female students had no gender preference. Similarly, Magnusen and Rhea (22) found female college Division I athletes had no preference for a male or female strength coach, whereas males preferred a male coach.

Thus, research to date on attitudes toward male vs. female PFTs has provided mixed results, and survey-based studies to date have exclusively examined perceptions of college students, which may be different from non-college aged adults. In addition, research has yet to examine how attitudes toward male/female fitness trainers may vary with other potentially-influential factors such as age and exercise experience. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study was to examine attitudes toward male and female PFTs in a sample of adult members of fitness gyms, and compare responses with respect to participant gender, age, and exercise experience.

METHODS

Participants

Participants were 201 (144 female; 57 male) adult members of four fitness centers from one city in the southeast United States who responded to an online survey. They ranged in age from 18 to 77 years (mean = 35.87, SD = 14.87 years). Self-reported experience levels were Beginner (n=59), Intermediate (n=91) and Advanced (n=51). Over half of the sample indicated exercising four or more times per week (54.9%), with 25.3% indicating three times per week, and 20.1% once a week. Table 1 provides the number and percent of male and female participants in age and exercise experience groups.

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Procedures

Prior to data collection, the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the authors’ university. Participants were recruited from fitness centers via email with the cooperation of the managers. Two facilities were small gyms that offered only individual and small group training, and two were larger traditional fitness centers that housed a variety of equipment and amenities, and provided personal training services and group exercise classes as well as independent exercise. A recruiting email with a link to an anonymous online survey was sent to all members of the two small gyms, and members of the larger gyms who had expressed interest in personal training. Participants were assured of anonymity and informed their participation was voluntary and they were providing consent to participate by completing the survey.

Data were collected using a survey created for the study. Survey items were based on and relatively similar to those used in previous research on attitudes toward female/male fitness trainers (13). Item content was guided by previous research examining criteria for selecting a PFT (16, 23, 29) and on reasons people may prefer a male/female PFT (21, 28). After initial development, the survey was reviewed by researchers with expertise in fitness who provided feedback and recommendations.

The first section sought demographic information including gender, age, level of fitness experience (beginner, intermediate, or advanced), and frequency of exercise during the last month. The next section focused on participant’s attitudes about working with a PFT, specifically how their attitudes would be influenced by the trainer’s gender. It included 6 face-valid items: (1) “My belief about the trainer’s knowledge about fitness,” (2) “My belief in the trainer’s desire for me to meet my personal fitness goals,” (3) “My willingness to follow the trainer’s directions about exercise,” (4) “My level of comfort discussing my struggles with exercise with the trainer,” (5) “My willingness to continue working with the trainer for an extended length of time,” and (6) “My willingness to refer clients to the trainer.” Participants responded to teach item on a 5-option scale: Higher for a female trainer, slightly higher for a female trainer, the same for a female or male trainer, slightly higher for a male trainer, or higher for a male trainer.

Data Analysis

            For data analysis, ratings were translated to a numerical scale from -2 to 2 with the neutral response in the center: (-2) Higher for a female trainer), (-1) Slightly higher for a female trainer), (0) The same for a female or male trainer, (1) Slightly higher for a male trainer, and (2) Higher for a male trainer. Responses were also coded categorically as neutral, or favoring a male or female trainer. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and percent of responses indicating a neutral response or favoring a female/male PFT) for responses to each item are reported for the entire sample.

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Responses were also analyzed with respect to three independent variables (gender, age group, and fitness experience). Three levels of fitness experience were self -reported Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. For the purpose of the study, participants were divided into two age groups operationally defined as younger (18-39 years) and older (40 years and older) exercisers. Numerical responses were analyzed using three separate MANOVAs with the 6 survey items as dependent measures. Significant main effects were further analyzed using independent t-tests or one-way ANOVA. Partial Omega Squared (η_p²) and Cohen’s d were reported as indicators of effect size. In addition to these analyses, the percent of participants whose responses were neutral or favored a male or female PFT were reported for groups.

RESULTS

            As shown in Figure 1, as a whole, participants tended to have higher ratings of male PFTs relative to fitness knowledge, willingness to follow their directions, working with the trainer for an extended time, and referring clients to them. However, they tended to perceive a female PFT more favorably for discussing their struggles with exercise. The percent of responses that were neutral or favored a male/female trainer yielded similar patterns. Overall, more people indicated positive attitudes toward a male than a female PFT for expectations of fitness knowledge (31.3% vs. 5.5%), as well as willingness to follow the trainer’s directions (29.9% vs. 10.9%), working with the trainer for an extended time (20.9% vs. 11.9%), and referring other clients to the trainer (17.4% vs. 5.5%). For comfort discussing struggles with exercise, 41.8% indicated a preference for a female trainer with only 24.4% preferring a male trainer. For most items, 50-60% of participants indicated a neutral response (the same for a male or female trainer), with the exception of comfort discussing concerns for which only 33.3% indicated no preference.

Attitudes of Male and Female Respondents

As shown in Figure 2, responses of male and female exercisers showed clear gender differences. Mean values indicated men rated a male PFT higher than a female PFT for all items. By comparison, female exercisers’ responses tended to vary more across items, and average responses were near neutral for several items. The MANOVA indicated significant differences between male and female respondents were present [Wilks’ Lambda=.845, p<.001>η_p²=.16]. Follow up comparisons indicated significant differences for four items: expectations for the trainer to help meet personal fitness goals [t(199)=4.20, p<.001 cohen="">d=1.14], willingness to follow the trainer’s directions [t(199)=2.71, p<.01 cohen="">d=1.00], comfort discussing exercise struggles [t(199)=5.24, p<.001 cohen="">d=1.24], and willingness to work with the trainer for an extended time [t(199)=2.01, p<.05 cohen="">d=.93].

Gender-biased patterns were also evident in the percent of ratings which were neutral vs. favored a male or female PFT (see Table 2). A higher percent of male exercisers indicated they would be more comfortable discussing their struggles with a male (43.9%) than a female trainer (17.5%), whereas female exercisers indicated a preference for a female (51.4%) over a male PFT (16.9%). A similar same-gender preference was indicated for perceptions of the trainer’s desire to help meet personal fitness goals, and working with them for an extended time.

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Attitudes of Younger vs. Older Exercisers

            Older exercisers (aged 40 and over) tended to favor a male PFT for all items, whereas younger exercises (18-39 years) had more varied responses and were near neutral for several items (see Figure 3). Responses were found to vary significantly by age group [Wilks’ Lambda= .884, p<.05>η_p²=.06]. Follow-up comparisons indicated significant differences for two items: meeting personal goals [t(197)=2.88, p<.01 cohen="">d=0.45], and discussing struggles [t(197)=3.18, p<.01 cohen="">d=0.49]. As indicated in Table 3, for these items, older exercisers tended to have either neutral attitudes or favor a male trainer, whereas younger exercisers more often favored a female trainer.

Variation as a Function of Exercise Experience

            Mean scores for individuals varying in exercise experience are shown in Figure 4. The MANOVA comparing responses was significant [Wilks’ Lambda=.839, p<.001>η_p²=.08]. One way ANOVA follow-up comparisons indicated a significant difference for only one item: expectations for the PFT’s knowledge [F(2,198=7.14, p<.001 wp_automatic_readability="65.478938906752">η_p²=.086]. Post-hoc Student-Newman-Keuls comparisons indicated beginning exercisers had significantly greater expectations of fitness knowledge for male trainers (p<.05 whereas="" knowledge="" expectations="" of="" male="" vs.="" female="" trainers="" were="" similar="" for="" exercisers="" with="" intermediate="" or="" advanced="" experience.="" examination="" response="" percentages="" shows="" a="" clear="" pattern="" reduced="" gender-bias="" as="" exercise="" experience="" increased.="" example="" only="" beginner-level="" indicated="" trainer="" to="" help="" them="" meet="" personal="" goals="" would="" be="" the="" same="" but="" this="" neutral="" rating="" increasing="" and="" exercisers.="" higher="" was="" observed="" all="" items.="" wp_automatic_readability="130.95742329693">

DISCUSSION

            Research supports the benefits of exercising with a PFT (2, 12, 18, 24, 25, 31), and evidence suggests that gender plays a role in exercise attitudes and behaviors, including selection of a trainer (16, 29). Previous survey-based research on attitudes toward male and female PFTs have studied undergraduate students; attitudes of adult fitness center members have not been investigated. An additional limitation of existing research is the failure to examine variables that may play a role in these attitudes. This study examined attitudes toward male and female PFTs among 201 adult fitness center members. Perceptions were reported for the entire sample, and analyzed relative to participant gender, age group, and exercise experience.

As a whole, more participants favored a male over a female trainer for expectations of fitness-related knowledge, willingness for follow the trainer’s directions, working with the trainer for an extended time, and referring other clients to them. However, adults tended to be more comfortable discussing struggles and concerns with exercise with a female trainer. Fisher et al. (13) similarly reported college students had a more positive attitude about discussing progress with female than male trainers.

Age Differences

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Our results showed age-related attitudinal differences. Specifically, older exercisers favored a male PFT, whereas younger respondents favored a female PFT primarily with respect to two items: assistance achieving personal goals and discussing exercise-related struggles. These findings are different from those reported in studies of college students, who overall, viewed female PFTs as more competent and knowledgeable than males (5, 13). Thus, these age-related attitudinal differences may be one of the more notable findings of this study, and may reflect changes in broader gender role-related attitudes among generations (8, 11).

Differences among Male and Female Exercisers

Comparisons between the responses of male and female exercisers revealed two important findings. First, men rated a male PFT higher than a female PFT for all items, while female exercisers’ ratings were more neutral. This is consistent with previous research on college students (5) and Division I university athletes (22) that indicated males preferred to work with a male PFT or strength coach, while females had no clear preference. Second, large and significant differences were observed between responses of men and women for several attitudes including those associated with knowledge, help meet personal goals, following directions, discussing concerns, and working with the trainer for an extended time. While men rated a male PFT higher for all items, women had more favorable perceptions of female PFTs for two specific items: discussing their struggles with exercise, and expectations regarding the trainer’s desire to help them meet personal fitness goals.

These findings align favorably with the results of previous interview-based studies indicating that women who choose a female PFT attribute this decision to beliefs that a female would have a greater empathy for them, and a better understanding of their bodies, struggles, and comfort levels (21, 28). These findings are also consistent with gender-preference research in healthcare. Drummond et al. (10), for example, found that college athletes felt more comfortable when provided care by an athletic trainer of the same gender, and a same-gender healthcare provider preference has been found for physicians and nurses when interactions are of an intimate nature (6, 19). When providing reasons for a healthcare provider of the same gender, women indicate it is due to comfort levels discussing problems and the perception that a female provider will take more personal interest in them (19).

Experience as a Mediator of Gender-Bias

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            We also examined attitudes toward male/female PFTs as a function of exercise experience, and used self-ratings as the basis for group formation. Comparisons indicated that, as exercise experience increased, gender-biased ratings decreased. Among beginning exercisers, 37% indicated their expectations for a PFT’s knowledge was neutral (the same for a male or female), whereas 65% of intermediate and 90% of advanced exercisers indicated so. This pattern of increasing gender-neutrality with exercise experience was observed for all items. These results suggest that gender-biased attitudes toward male/female PFTs may reduce with experience. This interpretation is consistent with the ideas that, while fitness-based attitudes and practices are influenced by gender norms and expectations, they are not fixed, but are fluid and can be changed with experience (3, 4, 16).

CONCLUSIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND DIRECTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

The results of this study indicate that many adult exercisers have gender-biased perceptions of PFTs with higher expectations for a male trainer’s fitness-based knowledge, and willingness to follow a male trainer’s directions and refer clients to him, yet are more comfortable discussing their struggles with a female trainer. Consistent with prior research on college students, these attitudes vary with participant gender. Men had stronger preferences for a same-gender PFT than women did, yet many women tended to favor a female PFT for interest in their personal goals and discussing their struggles and concerns. In addition, potentially important findings from this study are that gender-biased attitudes varied by age and exercise experience. Further research examining how these and other factors and experiences influence gender-referenced perceptions of fitness and fitness professionals is warranted, as is extending research on fitness-related attitudes beyond that of college students.

Previous research on this topic (5, 13) has primarily surveyed convenience samples of undergraduate students whose participation and experience in exercise was unknown, whereas participants in this study were adult fitness center members primarily between 20 and 39 years of age, most who identified as having intermediate or advanced exercise experience, and who exercised 3 or more times a week. Thus, the findings of this study may be more generalizable to typical adults who exercise on a regular basis. However, it should be acknowledged that, while data were derived from a sample of adults from multiple fitness centers, all gyms were from the same region of the U.S., and respondents were primarily female. Age-related differences were examined among two groups with an arbitrary dividing point. Thus, future research on this topic using more varied samples, more adult males, among varying age groups, and additional potentially influential variables is recommended.

APPLICATIONS IN SPORT

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            Fitness professionals should recognize that gender plays a role in exercise attitudes and behaviors, including the selection of PFTs and exercise leaders to work with. Data from this study highlight specific beliefs that may play a role in PFT preferences, and how these preferences vary with exerciser’s gender, age, and level of exercise experience. As a result, fitness professionals can strive to behave and communicate in ways that both support clients’ preference, but also seek to overcome biases that may exist.

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