Identifying important factors for older adults’ physical activity participation across individual/group, structured/unstructured contexts

Abstract

Most Canadian older adults do not meet physical activity recommendations. Researchers have investigated participation barriers and facilitators, with little consideration given to how specific factors influence activity participation for older adults. The purpose of this study was to identify unique factors that influence older adults' activity selection and to determine in which type of setting they are preferred. Using a two-phase methodology, identification of 25 factors affecting participation was followed by 45 older adults ranking the factors within four categories of activities: individual unstructured, group unstructured, individual structured, and group structured. Phase 1 analysis ranked each factor within each category. Further analysis found that there was a statistical difference between categories, indicating that older adults found different factors important, depending on the category of physical activity in question. This led to phase 2 analyses which identified three levels of factor groupings including the following factors: level A: fun, satisfaction, commitment, and energize; level B: safety, learning, awareness, internal motivation, and productive; and level C: meaningful contribution, intensity, and motivation. Additionally, some factors which were not identified in all categories were identified as unique to certain categories. These included creativity, hobbies, meaningful contribution, spiritual, competence, interaction casual, regularly scheduled, competition, self-efficacy physical, and team. This information can be used by individuals as well as program providers to nurture these factors within physical activity programs, which may lead to increased participation in this age cohort.

A cross-sectional study to investigate motivation for physical activity in a sample of Iranian community-dwelling older adults

“…10 As a result, the source of motivation to participate in PA can be classified into internal and external factors, known as internal and external motivation. 14 Internal motivation refers to the desire to participate which is influenced by personal reasons, such as the desire to have more energy. Alternately, external motivation refers to the desire to participate which is influenced by outside reasons, such as a wish to win an award in a competition.…”

“…Alternately, external motivation refers to the desire to participate which is influenced by outside reasons, such as a wish to win an award in a competition. 14 In other words, extrinsic motivation is based on an external benefit from PA such as 'improving attractiveness' or 'feel appreciated' , while intrinsic motivation is based on the internal psychological benefits such as 'enjoyment' or 'improvement of physical or motor competence' . 15 According to the Self-Determination Theory of Motivation, a theoretical framework for studying PA motivation in older adults, intrinsic motivation would induce older adults to engage in PA for an inherent reason such as interest in or enjoyment of the activity itself, whereas extrinsic motivation is related to outside control or external reasons that include personally-valued outcomes such as fitness, social affiliation, and appearance.…”

An empirical example of analysis using a two-stage modeling approach: within-subject association of outdoor context and physical activity predicts future daily physical activity levels

“…Physical activity changes across the lifespan and individuals' roles and ecological contexts may change as they get older. Different contextual determinants may be more impactful in predicting physical activity during earlier or later periods of life transition [37][38][39][40]. Future studies are needed to test if current findings are replicable in people at different age groups.…”

Tracking of sport and exercise types from midlife to old age: a 20-year cohort study of British men

“…For example, the age-related health barriers to PA may be less strong for these lower intensity sport/exercises, there may be a lower risk of injury, the social benefits may be greater and increased free time as a result of retirement may increase preference for these kinds of sports/exercises. Age-related health barriers, social interaction and free time are widely reported as important factors related to PA participation in older adults [ 20 – 22 ]. Conversely, onset of age-related health problems may be more of a barrier for higher intensity activities such as racquet sports.…”