Influences on Physical Activity Participation Among Older Adults: Perspectives of Exercise Professionals and Older Adult Exercise Participants

Heather M. Hanson (), Alia Bharwani, R. Stewart Longman and Marc J. Poulin
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Heather M. Hanson: Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3D10, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
Alia Bharwani: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
R. Stewart Longman: Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
Marc J. Poulin: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: We compared perceptions of enablers, barriers, and motivators to greater physical activity by older adults in two respondent groups: individuals 55+ years of age participating in a research exercise program and exercise professionals who plan and deliver programming to older adults. We developed and administered a questionnaire on potential factors influencing physical activity participation among older adults. Questionnaire items were transformed into scales and analyzed using independent sample Mann–Whitney U tests and principal component analyses (PCA). Statistically significant differences emerged between the respondent groups. Compared to older adults, exercise professionals rated the influence of physical capabilities ( p < 0.001), social ( p < 0.001) and physical opportunities ( p < 0.001), and reflective motivations on barriers to physical activity ( p < 0.001) higher. Older adults rated reflecting on the consequences of physical inactivity ( p < 0.05) higher. Respondent groups differed in their perspectives regarding the relative influence of enablers, barriers, and motivators to physical activity participation, and these differences may inform physical activity messaging for older adults.

Keywords: physical activity; behaviour change; health communication; older adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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