Preferences and responses for physical activity partnerships among women in midlife with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease: a digital, mixed methods approach

Women in midlife (ages 40–65) experience significant risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including declining physical activity (PA). Lack of social support is a key barrier, but PA partnerships show promise for increasing PA. Little is known about women’s preferences for PA partnerships or how preferences are linked to women’s broader conceptions of PA. In this study, we used a mixed methods design to evaluate beliefs about PA and preferences for PA partnerships among women in midlife with ≥1 CVD risk factor. Participants (N = 27, M_Age=53.3, M_BMI=32.6 kg/m²) used a proprietary web application for 7 days to view hypothetical PA partners and completed a 1-hour qualitative interview. Thematic analysis indicated that some women in midlife hold specific perceptions about PA that inform a desire to feel validated and understood. Their definitions of PA and the role of caregiving are critical to PA and partner preferences; they prefer to partner with women at similar starting levels of PA, though they are open to a range of partners who can foster motivation and growth. Findings show that PA partnerships may be desirable to women in midlife with elevated CVD risk and point to critical next steps for optimising partner-based PA promotion for women.