title: Factors that influence physical activity in long-term care: perspectives of residents, staff, and significant others.
abstract: Physical activity has been linked to positive health outcomes for frail seniors. However, our understanding of factors that influence the physical activity of residents in the long-term care (LTC) setting is limited. This article describes our work with focus groups, one component of a multi-component study that examined factors influencing the physical activity of LTC residents. Residents, significant others, and staff from nine LTC facilities participated in these focus groups. Analysis of group discussions revealed three themes reflecting factors that mitigate the provision of physical activity: (a) inadequate support for physical activity, (b) pervasive institutional routines, and (c) physical environment constraints. All participants considered physical activity important to health preservation. Individual, structural, and environmental factors affected the quantity and quality of physical activity accessed by residents. These findings confirm the need to develop practical strategies and ways to address modifiable barriers and embed physical activity into LTC systems of care.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Ottawa.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Ottawa.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa.
authors.forename: Paulette
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guitard
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Ottawa.
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Nipissing University.
authors.forename: Wenda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Caswell
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, Queen's University.
authors.forename: Marie Josée
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Perrier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005190:Family; D017144:Focus Groups; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009043:Motor Activity; D018454:Spouses