Facilitators and barriers to participation in physical activity among older adults: a community-based study

Physical activity is vital for older adults' physical and mental health, yet participation remains low due to individual, social, and environmental factors.

This study aimed to examine the facilitators and barriers influencing physical activity participation among older adults in 2025.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 450 older adults receiving services from comprehensive health centers. Participants were selected using a multistage random sampling approach. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographic information, a standardized physical activity assessment tool for older adults, and items evaluating potential facilitators and barriers to participation. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and linear regression model with significance set at p < 0.05.

Most participants were in the lower and middle tertiles of the PASE score distribution, while only 22.2% of participants were in the upper tertile. Physical activity was significantly associated with sex, chronic disease status, and monthly income (p < 0.05). Health improvement and physical fitness emerged as the strongest facilitators, whereas individual and social constraints represented the principal barriers. In the adjusted multivariable linear regression analysis, employment was positively associated with barriers (β = 0.14) and facilitators (β = 0.08) and education, housing, and health insurance showed significant negative associations with both barriers and facilitators (p < 0.05).

Physical activity levels among older adults were suboptimal, and a wide range of individual, social, and environmental determinants substantially influenced participation.