Physical Activity Interventions for Rural Older Adults Through a Social Ecological Model Lens: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Rural older adults encounter significant obstacles to physical activity (PA), including isolation and limited resources.
• These barriers contribute to lower PA guideline adherence compared to urban counterparts.
• A systematic review examined PA interventions for rural older adults using the social ecological model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity interventions for rural older adults.
• To assess the implementation and sustainability of these interventions.
• To analyze interventions through the framework of the social ecological model.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search identified 11 relevant studies on PA interventions for adults aged 60+ in rural settings.
• Interventions were categorized by social ecological model levels: individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community.
• Data on intervention type, participant characteristics, and rurality measures were extracted.

Main Results:

• Individual interventions improved physical function (90% adherence).
• Interpersonal interventions boosted self-efficacy and step counts.
• Organizational interventions aided fall prevention, while community interventions utilized local resources.

Conclusions:

• Multilevel interventions aligned with the social ecological model are most effective for rural older adults.
• Standardizing rurality definitions and measurement is crucial for future research.
• Contextually tailored, scalable strategies are needed to overcome rural barriers and ensure long-term PA participation.