Physical Activity Attitudes, Preferences, and Experiences of Regionally-Based Australia Adults Aged 65 Years and Older

in Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

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Pamela K. Samra
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Amanda L. Rebar
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Lynne Parkinson
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Jannique G.Z. van Uffelen
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Stephanie Schoeppe
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Deborah Power
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Anthony Schneiders
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Corneel Vandelanotte
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Stephanie Alley
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2017-0426
Keywords:
active aging; barriers; benefits; exercise; motivation
In Print:
Volume 27: Issue 4
Page Range:
446–451
Restricted access

An understanding of physical activity attitudes, preferences, and experiences in older adults is important for informing interventions. Focus groups were conducted with 46 regionally-based Australian adults aged 65 years and older, who were not currently meeting activity recommendations. Content analysis revealed that participants mainly engaged in incidental activities such as gardening and household chores rather than planned exercise; however, leisure-time walking was also mentioned frequently. Although participants valued the physical and mental health benefits of physical activity, they reported being restricted by poor physical health, extreme weather, and fear of injury. Participants were interested in exercise groups and physical activity programs tailored to their existing physical health. The majority of participants reported preferring to be active with others. The findings from this study are useful in for informing future interventions specifically tailored to the needs of older adults in Australia.

Samra is with the Physical Activity Research Group, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. Rebar, Schoeppe, Power, Schneiders, Vandelanotte, and Alley are with the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. Parkinson is with the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. van Uffelen is with the Dept. of Kinesiology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Address author correspondence to Pamela K. Samra at pspamsamra@gmail.com.
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