Factors influencing physical activity participation among older people with low activity levels
Abstract
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019. Despite the well-documented health benefits of physical activity in older adults, participation levels remain low. With rapid global population ageing, intensive efforts are needed to encourage higher levels of participation to ameliorate the negative effects of physical inactivity for older individuals and society as a whole. The aim of this qualitative study was to inform future physical activity promotion interventions by examining factors contributing to low activity levels among older people undertaking less than half the recommended level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 102 (65% female) community-dwelling Western Australians aged 60+ years (mean = 71.52, standard deviation = 6.26) who engaged in ⩽ 75 minutes of MVPA per week as measured by accelerometers. Several modifiable and unmodifiable barriers were identified, of which poor health featured most prominently. Lifetime physical inactivity, caring duties, low motivation, misperceptions of physical activity and ageing, and a lack of affordable and attractive options were the other barriers identified. The results suggest that strategies are needed to raise awareness of current physical activity guidelines, normalise engagement in MVPA throughout the lifespan, develop initiatives to motivate participation, improve the availability of affordable physical activity programmes that are attractive to this population segment, and facilitate participation among those with intensive caring responsibilities.
RAS ID
31384
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
2020
ISSN
0144686X
Volume
40
Issue
12
Funding Information
Australian Research Council
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Grant Number
ARC Number: DP140100365
Grant Link
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP140100365
Copyright
subscription content
Publisher
Cambridge University press
Recommended Citation
Rai, R., Jongenelis, M., Jackson, B., Newton, R. U., & Pettigrew, S. (2020). Factors influencing physical activity participation among older people with low activity levels. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X1900076X
Comments
Rai, R., Jongenelis, M. I., Jackson, B., Newton, R. U., & Pettigrew, S. (2020). Factors influencing physical activity participation among older people with low activity levels. Ageing & Society, 40(12), 2593-2613. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X1900076X