title: Older adults' perceived physical activity enablers and barriers: a multicultural perspective.
abstract: This study identified perceived physical activity (PA) enablers and barriers among a racially/ethnically and geographically diverse group of older adults. Data were from 42 focus groups conducted with African Americans, American Indians, Latinos, Chinese, Vietnamese, and non-Hispanic Whites (hereafter Whites). Constant-comparison methods were used to analyze the data. Common barriers were health problems, fear of falling, and inconvenience. Common enablers were positive outcome expectations, social support, and PA program access. American Indians mentioned the built environment and lack of knowledge about PA as barriers and health benefits as an enabler more than participants in other groups. Whites and American Indians emphasized the importance of PA programs specifically designed for older adults. Findings suggest several ways to promote PA among older people, including developing exercise programs designed for older adults and health messages promoting existing places and programs older adults can use to engage in PA.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Health and Exercise Science, Furman University, Greenville, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Anna E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Laditka
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Laditka
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Daniela B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Winston
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Rebecca G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Logsdon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D009042:Motivation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*