How to Keep Doing What You Like Doing: A Qualitative Study of Active Older Adults’ Insights on the Facilitators and Barriers to Maintenance of Physical Activity (From the MOVEAGE-Act Project)

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

While the facilitators/barriers for the initiation of physical activity (PA) are well documented, there is less known about these facilitators/barriers for maintenance of PA in the older population in general and not following an intervention. This study aimed to explore older adults’ perspectives on the facilitators/barriers to maintaining PA. The study used a descriptive qualitative design, with three focus groups, one in Ireland and two in France. Participants were community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years) 66% were female, recruited through older adult websites. Findings were analyzed thematically using a Socio-Ecological Model as a framework. Thirty-three older adults participated, and 88% met the international physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. From intrapersonal and interpersonal perspectives, enjoyment, social engagement, adapting physical activity for their age, establishing routines/habits, and combining PA with other activities and interests were all key facilitators in PA maintenance. From the policy, environmental and organizational perspectives, limited policies or their implementation, activity-related factors (insufficient information on activities, age appropriateness and availability of suitable activities, accessibility, inadequate support), and social connectedness were identified. Multiple interrelationships across the different social-ecological perspectives emerged. It was evident for PA maintenance that a balance is needed between having activities that are enjoyable and yet challenging and being able to adapt them to age-related changes such as loss of function and confidence. In addition, it was apparent that older adults were more likely to engage in PA if it had a social element and if they had access to relevant information and safe, age-appropriate activities and support. These factors should be further incorporated into PA promotion, activities, and policies to maximize PA maintenance. Barriers may lead to non-maintenance of healthy aging targets, with implications for health service economies and older adults’ health.