title: Physical activity program preferences and perspectives of older adults with and without cognitive impairment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is increasing evidence to support the benefits of physical activity on cognition in older adults. This paper describes (i) the attitudes, beliefs and barriers towards physical activity of older adults with and without cognitive impairment and (ii) their opinion of the attributes of the ideal physical activity program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thematic analysis of focus groups and individual interviews with 50 older adults with no cognitive impairment, subjective memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistent with previous research in cognitively intact older adults, most participants, irrespective of cognitive status, had a positive attitude towards physical activity and believed it was beneficial both generally and for cognition. There was a preference for physical activity programs to be suggested by advertising and general practitioners (GPs), undertaken in a group setting, and beliefs that they should be tailored to individual's needs and preferences, and should be affordable according to their income. Participants with cognitive impairment cited specific barriers including "memory" and "lack of companion" as well as preferring "accessible" settings and "simple/light/safe" activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide useful data, particularly from participants with cognitive impairment, with whom there has been little research to date. This could contribute to efforts to translate the growing research evidence of the benefits of physical activity for brain health into effective community programs.
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Health/North Western Aged Persons Mental Health Program, Bundoora Extended Care Centre, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Terence W H
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Colleen J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Elizabeth V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Cyarto
authors.forename: Kay L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.forename: Nicola T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Lautenschlager
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D057240:Patient Preference
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; exercise; focus group; mild cognitive impairment; qualitative research