Barriers and facilitators to physical activity among older Chinese adults in the UK: a qualitative descriptive study

The Chinese community is one of the important ethnic groups in the UK, with a significant proportion entering older age. Older Chinese adults face ageing-related challenges and cultural barriers, which contribute to physical inactivity despite its well-recognised health benefits.

To explore the barriers and facilitators to physical activity (PA) participation among older Chinese adults in the (United Kingdom) UK.

We conducted 16 semi-structured interviews with 27 participants, using audio recordings collected either face-to-face or virtually. Interviews were conducted in one-to-one or paired formats, guided by a general, open-ended topic guide. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants who self-identified as Chinese, were aged over 60, and resided in the UK. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with NVivo.

Participants' PA behaviours fell into three categories: those who met (World Health Organization) WHO guidelines, those who were partially active, and those who were inactive. Factors influencing PA were mapped onto the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation-behaviour) mode. Identified barriers included poor health (e.g., lack of energy, pain, chronic conditions), limited PA-related knowledge, skills and self-Efficacy (e.g., low awareness of PA guidelines, insufficient practical know-how), restricted social opportunities (e.g., absence of exercise partners, limited social support, language and cultural barriers, time constraints), and limited physical opportunities (e.g., inaccessible environments, lack of appropriate programmes, limited access to PA information). Concerns about the potential risks or dangers of PA also deterred participation. Facilitators included strong beliefs in the benefits of PA-such as improved health, family harmony, social connection, and reduced loneliness-as well as automatic motivation through established habits, positive emotional experiences, and reinforcement.

Older Chinese adults in the UK exhibit diverse PA patterns and face a range of barriers, underscoring the need to consider their varied needs and experiences when designing interventions. Factors influencing PA engagement align with the COM-B framework, highlighting the importance of addressing capability, opportunity, and motivation. These findings provide a practical evidence base to inform behaviour change interventions, supporting the development of culturally tailored strategies using the Behaviour Change Wheel to promote PA in this population.