Community Health and Wellbeing: The Impact of Trauma and Violence Informed Physical Activity (TVIPA)

By Clare Murray-Lawson & Kate Harris
 
In Canada, only 49% of adults and 39% of children currently meet the physical activity (PA) levels recommended by ParticipACTION, despite the well-documented benefits for both mental and physical health (Roberts et al., 2017; Statistics Canada, 2021). When considering this statistic, you might wonder what influences an individual’s decision to not engage in PA. Perhaps a busy schedule, lack of motivation, or simply not enjoying exercise. However, we often overlook the systemic and personal barriers that prevent many people from engaging in PA. Dr. Francine Darroch, a professor at Carleton University, has spent the past decade researching these barriers. Through her work she has identified, characterized, and developed strategies to address them, leading to the creation of the Trauma and Violence Informed Physical Activity (TVIPA) program. 
 
Nearly two-thirds of adults in Canada have experienced—or will experience—a traumatic event in their lifetime, and an even greater number will face mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety (Statistics Canada, 2024). This presents a paradox: while PA is strongly linked to improved mental health, trauma can become a significant barrier to participation. To address this, Dr. Darroch and her team developed the TVIPA program, beginning with a focus on the unique obstacles preventing gender-identifying women from engaging in PA. These barriers range from socioeconomic status and domestic violence to access to equipment, racism, gender discrimination, and education. Their approach started with extensive community engagement, environmental scans, and geographic information system (GIS) mapping to identify “recreation deserts” where PA opportunities were most limited.

The next focus was on knowledge exchange streamlined into a clear and concise training program. Through focus groups, community feedback, and insight from experts in the field, the TVIPA online training modules were designed. The purpose of these modules is to educate and support PA providers by covering the key concepts of TVIPA, the effects of trauma on the body and brain, the impacts of physical activity on the lives of those with lived experiences of trauma, and examples of TVIPA practices.

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Following the development of these modules, community-based interventions were launched at four sites across Canada in order to examine the impact of TVIPA on the wellbeing of women experiencing inequity. One such community is located right here in Ottawa: The Banff-Ledbury Community. The young, racially and economically diverse group of residents that call Banff-Ledbury home experience several barriers that limit their access to recreation and PA. GIS mapping of the area has highlighted significant geographical, structural, and financial challenges that contribute to the community being classified as a “recreation desert”. Safety concerns such as insufficient street lighting and poorly maintained walking and biking paths, as well as the high cost of accessing nearby recreation spaces, result in residents having limited opportunities to engage in PA. For these reasons, the Banff-Ledbury community is an ideal setting to implement and evaluate TVIPA programming.

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Across the four locations, a total of 168 participants engaged in at least one 6-week intervention wherein trained TVIPA practitioners led a range of physical activities including yoga, strength training, non-contact boxing, walking, and dancing. To combat some of the common barriers to PA, each site offered women access to a safe space, equipment and gear, and free on-site childcare. Health outcomes were assessed at baseline, using daily check-ins, and at the end of the 6-week intervention using TVIPA-specific scales. Preliminary findings of this ongoing study provide support for the use of TVIPA in improving health and wellbeing. Approximately 93% of women stated they felt better following the programming, and over 90% reported that the TVIPA intervention improved their mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life. Comments from participants highlight the importance of group PA in building community connections and social support networks, both of which can lead to improved mental health outcomes. 

Looking ahead, Dr. Darroch and her team plan to facilitate a knowledge and experience exchange between the four sites and are hoping to expand the study to explore the use of TVIPA programming in males and single fathers. Previous and ongoing work is also assessing the implementation of TVIPA in the LGBTQIA+ community (Simpson & Darroch, 2024). Ultimately, TVIPA is not just about exercise and movement – it involves healing, empowerment, and social connectedness. By fostering safe, accessible, and inclusive PA experiences, TVIPA helps build relationships and promote wellbeing.

This blog is a part of a series exploring how physical activity builds resilience against stress-related brain changes and mental health disorders.