Perceived barriers to physical activity among older adults residing in long-term care institutions

This study explored barriers that older residents of long-term care (LTC) institutions experience in regular physical activity participation.

Despite the benefits of physical activity, a large proportion of older adults still lead a sedentary lifestyle. Especially, for older residents of LTC institutions, ability and resources for practising physical activity are more restricted than community-dwelling older adults. They are very likely to encounter barriers to physical activity. However, little is known about what factors impede them from being physically active. To implement successful interventions, more information is needed to address barriers to regular physical activity.

A qualitative exploratory design.

Purposive sampling was performed to recruit 90 older residents from six nursing homes in Taiwan. The interview transcripts were analysed by qualitative content analysis.

The results revealed that barriers to physical activity can be personal or environmental, including physical health problems and physical frailty, fear of resultant injury or falling, past sedentary lifestyle, insufficient understanding about physical activity and environmental restriction.

The findings advance knowledge of barriers that impede the institutionalised older adults to perform physical activity. Participation in physical activity was negatively influenced by these barriers. However, these barriers are modifiable. Assessment and problem solving to overcome barriers could result in positive outcomes.

Health care providers are in a unique position to influence older residents to adopt regular physical activity. Health care providers should consider these barriers to the development and maintenance of physical activity and to plan effective individual interventions to reduce these barriers. In planning physical activities, it is also important to provide a supportive environment.