Barriers and motivators to undertaking physical activity in adults over 70-a systematic review of the quantitative literature
Barriers and motivators to undertaking physical activity in adults over 70-a systematic review of the quantitative literature
Background: physical activity (PA) has multiple benefits for older adults (≥70 years old). Despite this many older adults do not undertake the World Health Organisation guideline recommended amount of PA. This systematic review examines barriers and motivators to PA in adults aged ≥70 years.
Methods: we analysed the quantitative literature, including observational studies and baseline data from randomised controlled trials. Studies examining specific diseases (e.g. cognitive impairment), or care home residents were excluded. Database searches of ASSIA, CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science were undertaken on 7 March 2023. Quality assessment was performed using the ROBANS tool. We synthesised the results using the socioecological model. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021160503).
Results: we identified 37 papers, n = 26,961, age 70-101 years (median 78), 62% female. We undertook a narrative review; meta-analysis was not possible. Overall risk of bias was low. A total of 23 studies addressed barriers, seven motivators, seven both. The most cited barriers were: concern about physical health/fitness (14 studies), lack of motivation/interest (13 studies), fear of falls/history of falling (11 studies) and environmental barriers (10 studies). Key motivators were: support from family/friends (five studies), social interaction (five studies), personal benefits (five studies) and outside facilities (five studies). Results varied across gender, age, functional ability and geographical location.
Discussion: to maximise PA in older adults, important modifiable factors identified in this review should be targeted: support from healthcare professionals; reducing fear of falls; and prioritising ease of access and safety of outdoor facilities. When considering future policy, a person-centred, age group appropriate approach will have the most impact.
Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Exercise/psychology, Female, Humans, Male, Motivation, systematic review, physical activity, barriers, facilitators, older adults, older people
Kilgour, Alixe H.M.
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Rutherford, Matthew
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Higson, Joanna
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Meredith, Samantha J.
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McNiff, Jessica
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Mitchell, Stephanie
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Wijayendran, Anusan
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Lim, Stephen E.R.
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Shenkin, Susan D.
de7fe6ec-aae0-411a-a15f-541fab7a76c7
22 April 2024
Kilgour, Alixe H.M.
ebc749a2-8d7f-4611-bac3-a4be4f7b5dcb
Rutherford, Matthew
231f8db1-ee8e-4606-aded-85252bbad891
Higson, Joanna
b0acbc0f-8796-4c56-916c-2f69908d2a6d
Meredith, Samantha J.
f123848c-d83f-40e7-bb7e-1c3b6c8e6ef0
McNiff, Jessica
701895a9-2130-4ddb-9012-b2a60117349f
Mitchell, Stephanie
5818f93a-d39f-41e9-9fce-8178ea5f6637
Wijayendran, Anusan
0c482e1d-5e22-469c-a5e4-51f707573653
Lim, Stephen E.R.
0cb3592c-aa12-48a6-9b27-6a65311ecad4
Shenkin, Susan D.
de7fe6ec-aae0-411a-a15f-541fab7a76c7
Kilgour, Alixe H.M., Rutherford, Matthew, Higson, Joanna, Meredith, Samantha J., McNiff, Jessica, Mitchell, Stephanie, Wijayendran, Anusan, Lim, Stephen E.R. and Shenkin, Susan D.
(2024)
Barriers and motivators to undertaking physical activity in adults over 70-a systematic review of the quantitative literature.
Age and Ageing, 53 (4), [afae080].
(doi:10.1093/ageing/afae080).
Abstract
Background: physical activity (PA) has multiple benefits for older adults (≥70 years old). Despite this many older adults do not undertake the World Health Organisation guideline recommended amount of PA. This systematic review examines barriers and motivators to PA in adults aged ≥70 years.
Methods: we analysed the quantitative literature, including observational studies and baseline data from randomised controlled trials. Studies examining specific diseases (e.g. cognitive impairment), or care home residents were excluded. Database searches of ASSIA, CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science were undertaken on 7 March 2023. Quality assessment was performed using the ROBANS tool. We synthesised the results using the socioecological model. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021160503).
Results: we identified 37 papers, n = 26,961, age 70-101 years (median 78), 62% female. We undertook a narrative review; meta-analysis was not possible. Overall risk of bias was low. A total of 23 studies addressed barriers, seven motivators, seven both. The most cited barriers were: concern about physical health/fitness (14 studies), lack of motivation/interest (13 studies), fear of falls/history of falling (11 studies) and environmental barriers (10 studies). Key motivators were: support from family/friends (five studies), social interaction (five studies), personal benefits (five studies) and outside facilities (five studies). Results varied across gender, age, functional ability and geographical location.
Discussion: to maximise PA in older adults, important modifiable factors identified in this review should be targeted: support from healthcare professionals; reducing fear of falls; and prioritising ease of access and safety of outdoor facilities. When considering future policy, a person-centred, age group appropriate approach will have the most impact.
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afae080
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Published date: 22 April 2024
Additional Information:
Correction Notice: a correction to this paper is published at: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afae112
Keywords:
Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Exercise/psychology, Female, Humans, Male, Motivation, systematic review, physical activity, barriers, facilitators, older adults, older people
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Local EPrints ID: 491279
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/491279
ISSN: 0002-0729
PURE UUID: 76b95e7c-73d6-4997-8726-7c86a3587c9b
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Date deposited: 18 Jun 2024 16:58
Last modified: 23 Aug 2024 02:01
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Contributors
Author:
Alixe H.M. Kilgour
Author:
Matthew Rutherford
Author:
Joanna Higson
Author:
Samantha J. Meredith
Author:
Jessica McNiff
Author:
Stephanie Mitchell
Author:
Anusan Wijayendran
Author:
Stephen E.R. Lim
Author:
Susan D. Shenkin
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