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What are the barriers to Participation in Physical Activity?

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What are the barriers to Participation in Physical Activity?

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In 2000, approximately 10% of the world’s population were 60 years old or older with this number predicted to be doubling by 20% by 2050, this means that keeping this worldwide ageing population healthy is vital and this includes keeping them active (WHO, 2003). Despite the health and wellbeing benefits more than 40% of those over age 65 do not participate in any leisure-time physical activity, with 42.1 % of women over 65 being inactive (Sharff et al, 1999)  A study in 2013 of 60 elderly people showed that only 31.7% of elderly patients were doing regular exercise (Manaf, 2013). A study on Swedish men showed that the primary barrier to participation was lack on interest or lack of motivation (Sjors et al, 2014). Barriers to participation can vary in old age and overcoming these isn't always simple. For example: a study in Germany showed that there were significant differences in barriers to participation in physical activity depending on gender with men citing a lack of motivation as the biggest factor and women citing pain or fear of pain as their primary barrier (Moschny et al, 2011). Other barriers to participation include lack of money, feeling too tired, physical and mental illness and not enjoying exercise (Reichert et al, 2007).

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Health and Wellbeing Benefits due regular participation in physical activity within the Elderly

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Health and Wellbeing Benefits due regular participation in physical activity within the Elderly

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Improving health in older age is becoming an important target to reduce mortality and morbidity related to old age. Promoting physical activity in particular is known to improve general health, reduce  the risk of cardiovascular disease and associated mortality (Tsai et al, 2002). Physical activity can be used to prevent, treat, or reduce the effect or stress of  chronic conditions commonly experienced by older adults, including heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, falls, and depression( Benton, 2015). One factors that is to be examined is the relationship between regular exercise and falls.  Falls account for over 80% of injury-related admissions to hospital of people older than 65 years ( Kannus et al, 2005). Studies have shown that strength and balance training for the elderly living in the community can reduce the risk of both non-injurious and injurious falls from 15 to 50% leading to reduced medical costs (Tinetti, 2003). One other area of health that can benefit from regular physical activity within the elderly is improved mental health and cognitive function.  Exercise  can act as an efficient and affordable adjunctive factor in the treatment and prevention of age-related neurodegenerative processes such as Alzeimers and Dementia (Deslandes et al, 2009)

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Personal Story about Barriers to Participation and how to overcome them

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Personal Story about Barriers to Participation and how to overcome them

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An inspiring story about Pat who overcomes barriers and finds a new hobby later in life.

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Incentives for Elderly to paricipate in Physical exercise

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Incentives for Elderly to paricipate in Physical exercise

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As participation in Physical Activity is an issue for the elderly it is extremely important that there is an incentive to take part.  Motivating the elderly population to become and stay involved in an exercise program is particularly difficult (Brenner and Marsella, 2008).  Although results vary on a study to study basis many studies have discovered that favourable characteristics of social networks can have positive effects on the taking up and maintaining physical activity in older adults (McAuley et al. 2003). Adults that stay fit and active can also play a vital social role for example Ed Whitlock at age 69 was the oldest person to run a marathon in under 3 hours considering in 1908 the world record was 2:55 for anybody any age (Baker et al, 2009), this changes people beliefs that they aren't able to take part in exercise. Although these are just two incetives, added incentives include many physical and mental health benefits and could increases quality of life and life expectancy.

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- Barriers to participation are different for every individual when looking into the elderly.

-Incentives such as making friends and positive mental and physical health changes encourage PA within the elderly.

-Physical activity can be used to prevent, treat and reduce the effect of chronic illness.

- PA and Exercise need to be adapted to cater for the needs of the elderly e.g. exercise that is manageable for people with poor mobility.

- Increasing PA in older people is a government priority as an ever increasing ageing population calls for more resources and keeping them fit and active minimalises this.

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Baker, J., Fraser-Thomas, J., Dionigi, R.A. and Horton, S., 2009. Sport participation and positive development in older persons. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 7(1), p.3.

Benton M.J. (2015) Benefits of Exercise for Older Adults. In: Sullivan G., Pomidor A. (eds) Exercise for Aging Adults. Springer, Cham

Deslandes, A., Moraes, H., Ferreira, C., Veiga, H., Silveira, H., Mouta, R., Pompeu, F.A., Coutinho, E.S.F. and Laks, J., 2009. Exercise and mental health: many reasons to move. Neuropsychobiology, 59(4), pp.191-198.

Ingrid Brenner RN, P.H.D. and Marsella, A., 2008. Factors influencing exercise participation by clients in long-term care. Perspectives (Pre-2012), 32(4), p.5.

Kannus, P., Sievänen, H., Palvanen, M., Järvinen, T. and Parkkari, J., 2005. Prevention of falls and consequent injuries in elderly people. The Lancet, 366(9500), pp.1885-1893.

Manaf, H., 2013. Barriers to participation in physical activity and exercise among middle-aged and elderly individuals. Singapore Med J, 54(10), pp.581-586.

Moschny, A., Platen, P., Klaaßen-Mielke, R., Trampisch, U. and Hinrichs, T., 2011. Barriers to physical activity in older adults in Germany: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8(1), p.121.
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Scharff, O.P., Homan, S., Kreuter, M., & Brennan, L. (1999). Factors associated with physical activity in women across the life span: Implications for program development. Women and Health, 29(2), 115–134.

Sjors, C. et al., 2014. Perceived Reasons, Incentives, and Barriers to Physical Activity in Swedish Elderly Men. Journal Of Medical Internet Research, 16(11), p.e15.

Tinetti ME. Preventing falls in elderly persons. N Engl J Med 2003; 348: 42–49.

Tsai, J.C., Liu, J.C., Kao, C.C., Tomlinson, B., Kao, P.F., Chen, J.W. and Chan, P., 2002. Beneficial effects on blood pressure and lipid profile of programmed exercise training in subjects with white coat hypertension. American journal of hypertension, 15(6), pp.571-576.

World Health Organization, 2003. Gender, health and ageing.