Psycho-physical demands of Traditional Indigenous Games played by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women

Introduction: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially women, exhibit poorer overall health and lower levels of physical activity (PA) compared to non-Indigenous populations. Interventions to increase PA levels in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have had limited success with cultural elements critical to increase PA engagement. Traditional Indigenous Games (TIG) combine culture with PA and may be an important holistic approach to enhance PA levels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Understanding the psycho-physical demands of TIG is needed before such activities can be prescribed for enhanced health outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the psycho-physical demands of three common TIG played by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Methods: Fourteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (34.3+/-10.2 years; 163.8+/-4.9 cm; mass 87.8+/-22.4 kg) volunteered and completed a standardised, dynamic warm-up followed by the completion of three popular TIG (Kai Wed, Ilye, Edor), each separated by 5-10 minutes of rest. During the TIG session, participants wore a telemetric monitor to record heart rate (HR) and physical movements via a global positioning system. At the completion of each TIG, participants engaged in a group discussion to provide feedback of their perceived rating of exertion (RPE) and likes/dislikes of each TIG. Comparisons of quantitative data between TIG were conducted using Friedman’s tests and post-hoc Durbin-Conover pairwise comparisons while qualitative data was thematically analysed. Results: Women experienced significantly different maximum HR during the TIG with the greatest being achieved during Ilye and the lowest during Kai Wed. The average HR was significantly greater during Ilye compared to Kai Wed and Edor, which were similar. Participants covered significantly different distances and speeds during the TIG with the greatest being achieved during Ilye and the least during Kai Wed. Participants reported a significantly lower RPE after playing Kai Wed when compared to both Ilye and Edor. Women liked each TIG with some enjoying the higher intensity nature of Ilye and Edor whereas, some preferred the lower intensity of Kai Wed. Discussion: The current study identified that women liked engaging with each TIG that induced unique psycho-physical demands. All TIG resulted in participants experiencing at least moderate-intensity activity, a level recommended for health benefits. Impact/Application to the field: TIG were identified as a PA that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were interested in due to the cultural aspects with each TIG resulting in unique psycho-physical demands that would be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Regular use of TIG may produce significant benefits in terms of culture and health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women that remain to be examined in future studies. Declaration: My co-authors and I acknowledge that we have no conflict of interest of relevance to the submission of this abstract.