A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Relationship Between Traditional Gender Roles and Physical Activity Levels Among Adults in Canada

Traditional gender roles, arbitrary sets of norm-related behaviors and expressions based on an individual’s perceived sex, are increasingly recognized as harmful. Relationships of traditional gender roles with physical activity are unclear. This study aims to evaluate sex- and gender-specific differences in weekly physical activity between individuals who are and are not conforming to traditional gender roles. Individuals 18 years and older in Canada completed an anonymous survey including the Traditional Masculinity-Femininity Gender Scale and International Physical Activity questionnaire. The survey was completed by 3234 participants (864 males, 2347 females, 685 men, 2013 women, 511 gender diverse). Overall and among males and men specifically, greater leisure, work, and total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were identified among participants conforming to traditional masculine gender roles (leisure overall: 165.5 min·week ^-1 (SEM 10.3); leisure males: 177.2 min·week ^-1 (SEM 11.7)) compared to those conforming to traditional feminine gender roles (leisure overall: 131.3 min·week ^-1 (SEM 5.8), p= 0.007; leisure males: 46.4 min·week ^-1 (SEM 17.4), p= 0.004, or not conforming to traditional gender roles (leisure overall: 136.5 min·week ^-1 (SEM 6.3), p= 0.026; leisure males: 127.7 min·week ^-1 (SEM 11.7), p= 0.010). Leisure, travel, work, and total MVPA were similar among females, women, and gender diverse individuals who conform and do not conform to traditional masculine and feminine gender roles. Traditional gender roles are associated with greater physical activity among men and males, though not as influential for females, women, and gender diverse individuals. How gender roles influence physical activity and how this relationship can be influenced and leveraged requires further understanding.