title: Determinants of neighborhood activity of adults age 70 and over: a mixed-methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This mixed-methods study investigated personal, interpersonal, and environmental factors salient to decisions about being active in neighborhoods of different levels of deprivation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five participants age 70 years and older (10 women) with diverse physical activity levels provided data on their weekly activity patterns (using accelerometry) and their perceived barriers to exercise (questionnaire). They also participated in semistructured individual interviews exploring the barriers and facilitators influencing neighborhood activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Functional limitations, lack of intrinsic motivation, and not having an activity companion were the highest impact barriers. Walkable access to amenities, positive physical activity perceptions, and existing habit of being active were the highest impact facilitators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The perceived quality and accessibility of the built and natural environments influence neighborhood activity in older adults. However, this relationship might be altered through the influence of personal and interpersonal determinants such as maintenance of good health and functional ability and supportive social networks.
authors.affiliation: Dept. for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Afroditi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stathi
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coulson
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Janice L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom