Barriers and Facilitators for the Romanian Older Adults in Enjoying Physical Activity Health-Related Benefits

Constanta Urzeala, Veronica Popescu, Daniel Courteix, Georgeta Mitrache, Mihaela Roco and Silvia Teodorescu
Additional contact information
Constanta Urzeala: Sports and Motor Performance Department, National University of Physical Education and Sports in Bucharest, 060057 Bucharest, Romania
Veronica Popescu: Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, “A.I. Cuza” University of Iaşi, 700554 Iași, Romania
Daniel Courteix: Laboratory of the Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise in Physiological and Pathological Conditions (AME2P), Clermont Auvergne University, 63171 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Georgeta Mitrache: Department of Teaching Staff Training, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, National University of Physical Education and Sports in Bucharest, 060057 Bucharest, Romania
Mihaela Roco: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
Silvia Teodorescu: Department of Doctoral Studies, National University of Physical Education and Sports in Bucharest, 060057 Bucharest, Romania

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-22

Abstract: Older adults are considered a vulnerable category within the population, which is exposed to an accelerated risk of functional degeneration. The purpose of this study was to explore different facilitating factors and possible existing barriers to being physically active in older age in urban areas of Romania. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 172 participants who were asked to assess their health, on a scale from 1 to 3, and to fill out two questionnaires: 1. Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly; 2. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Participants were also asked to specify to what extent they performed different leisure activities during the last week. SPSS was used for data analysis. The chi-squared test, t -test, ANOVA, and MANOVA emphasised the differences between participants, at p < 0.05. Regarding health condition, 27.3% of participants responded that their health was good, 53.5%—satisfactory, and 19.2%—not so good. The results showed significant differences between older adults participating in Elderly Clubs and non-participants, only in terms of PASE leisure. There were significant multivariate effects of the variables Gender and Stable life partner regarding PASE leisure. Weak negative correlations were identified between leisure physical activities and emotional state. Among the proposed leisure activities, watching TV and listening to music represented the most frequent preferences of the participants. The older adults participating in this study preferred to become involved with different physical activities, in conjunction with their habits, health, age, sex, stable life partner, and Elderly Club participation.

Keywords: active lifestyle; emotional states; ageing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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