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Influences on Physical Activity Participation Among Older Adults: Perspectives of Exercise Professionals and Older
Heather M Hanson1,2, Alia Bharwani3, R Stewart Longman4,5
1Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3D10, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada.
Abstract:
We compared perceptions of enablers, barriers, and motivators to greater physical activity by older adults in two respondent groups: individuals 55+ years of age participating in a research exercise program and exercise professionals who plan and deliver programming to older adults. We developed and administered a questionnaire on potential factors influencing physical activity participation among older adults. Questionnaire items were transformed into scales and analyzed using independent sample Mann-Whitney U tests and principal component analyses (PCA). Statistically significant differences emerged between the respondent groups. Compared to older adults, exercise professionals rated the influence of physical capabilities (p < 0.001), social (p < 0.001) and physical opportunities (p < 0.001), and reflective motivations on barriers to physical activity (p < 0.001) higher. Older adults rated reflecting on the consequences of physical inactivity (p < 0.05) higher. Respondent groups differed in their perspectives regarding the relative influence of enablers, barriers, and motivators to physical activity participation, and these differences may inform physical activity messaging for older adults.
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