title: Falls prevention and the value of exercise: salient beliefs among South asian and white british older adults.
abstract: The importance of increasing exercise to prevent falls among older adults remains a key worldwide public health priority. However, older adults do not necessarily take up exercise as a preventative measure for falls. This qualitative study aimed to explore the beliefs of community-dwelling South Asian and White British older adults aged 60 to 70 about falls and exercise for fall prevention through 15 focus groups (n = 87) and 40 in-depth interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a framework approach. Data analysis identified six salient beliefs that influenced older adults' intention to exercise for fall prevention. In general, older adults aged 60 to 70 did not acknowledge their risk of falling and were not motivated to exercise simply to help prevent falls. Positive beliefs were found to be an unlikely barrier to taking up exercise for fall prevention for those who had experienced a fall. The implications for health promotion and health professionals with this group of older adults are discussed.
authors.affiliation: The University of Manchester, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.forename: Dawn A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Skelton
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Speed
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Todd
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D004739:England; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044465:White People
keywords: exercise; falls; health promotion; minority groups; older adults; physical activity