title: Perceived benefits, motives, and barriers to aqua-based exercise among older adults with and without osteoarthritis.
abstract: This study aimed to (a) identify factors that motivate older adults to participate in aqua-based exercise; (b) identify potential barriers; and (c) compare perceptions between older adults with and without osteoarthritis (OA). Fifteen adults above 60 years of age participated in one of three focus groups during which they discussed perceived benefits, motives, and barriers to aqua exercise. Pain reduction was considered a major benefit among those with OA, improved health and fitness was a principal benefit for those without OA. All participants felt that the instructor could act as both a motivator and barrier; the most significant barrier was cold changing facilities in winter. With the exception of pain reduction, perceived benefits, motivators, and barriers to aqua-based exercise are similar among older adults with and without OA. A greater understanding of these factors may help us to facilitate older adults with OA to initiate and adhere to aqua-based exercise.
authors.affiliation: AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand alison.fisken@yahoo.co.nz.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fisken
authors.affiliation: AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand Bond University, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Justin W L
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.affiliation: University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.affiliation: AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand Bond University, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Wayne A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Hing
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013551:Swimming Pools; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: aqua-based exercise; benefits and barriers; osteoarthritis