Self-identified motivators for physical activity: Perspectives of older residential care facility residents
Author(s)
Wootten, Steven
Harris, Neil
Wiseman, Nicola
Year published
2021
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objectives: To inform strategies to increase physical activity amongst Older Residential Care Facility Residents (ORCFR), this research explored self-identified motivators for, benefits of and barriers to physical activity engagement. Methods: The research was framed within a salutogenic model of health, viewing health as a continuum shaped by one’s health resources and life stressors. This exploratory qualitative research examined the physical activity experiences of seven ORCFR in Brisbane, Australia. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions assessed basic demographics, Physical Activity (PA) levels, perceived ...
View more >Objectives: To inform strategies to increase physical activity amongst Older Residential Care Facility Residents (ORCFR), this research explored self-identified motivators for, benefits of and barriers to physical activity engagement. Methods: The research was framed within a salutogenic model of health, viewing health as a continuum shaped by one’s health resources and life stressors. This exploratory qualitative research examined the physical activity experiences of seven ORCFR in Brisbane, Australia. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions assessed basic demographics, Physical Activity (PA) levels, perceived benefits of and barriers to PA. The resulting data underwent thematic analysis. Results: After seven interviews, data saturation was reached, revealing three major themes and seven subthemes. These were positive socialisation (inclusion) with subthemes of enjoying social contact and avoiding “zombieland” (loneliness). Negative socialisation (isolation) with subthemes of avoiding conflict and feeling awkward. Maintaining independence was the benefit, with subthemes of getting around to socialise, activities of daily living and preserving health to socialise. Conclusion: Conventional physical activity programs emphasising medical and clinical benefits are disconnected from ORCFR motivators, as residents perceive benefits in terms of mobility and socialisation. This disconnect partially explains poor acceptability and uptake of ORCFR physical activity interventions over the last 25 years.
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View more >Objectives: To inform strategies to increase physical activity amongst Older Residential Care Facility Residents (ORCFR), this research explored self-identified motivators for, benefits of and barriers to physical activity engagement. Methods: The research was framed within a salutogenic model of health, viewing health as a continuum shaped by one’s health resources and life stressors. This exploratory qualitative research examined the physical activity experiences of seven ORCFR in Brisbane, Australia. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions assessed basic demographics, Physical Activity (PA) levels, perceived benefits of and barriers to PA. The resulting data underwent thematic analysis. Results: After seven interviews, data saturation was reached, revealing three major themes and seven subthemes. These were positive socialisation (inclusion) with subthemes of enjoying social contact and avoiding “zombieland” (loneliness). Negative socialisation (isolation) with subthemes of avoiding conflict and feeling awkward. Maintaining independence was the benefit, with subthemes of getting around to socialise, activities of daily living and preserving health to socialise. Conclusion: Conventional physical activity programs emphasising medical and clinical benefits are disconnected from ORCFR motivators, as residents perceive benefits in terms of mobility and socialisation. This disconnect partially explains poor acceptability and uptake of ORCFR physical activity interventions over the last 25 years.
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Journal Title
Health Promotion Journal of Australia
Note
This publication has been entered as an advanced online version in Griffith Research Online.
Subject
Aged health care
Health services and systems
Nutrition and dietetics
Public health
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
motivation
older people