title: Why do seniors leave resistance training programs?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The proportion of the population, that is older, is growing at a faster rate than other age groups. Physical activity is important for older people because it assists in living independently. Participating in resistance training on a regular basis (twice weekly) is recommended for older people; yet, fewer than 15% of people over 60 years achieve this level. The aim of this article was to investigate the factors contributing to older people's decisions to stop participation in a resistance training program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were older people who had chosen to participate in a structured resistance training program specifically designed for seniors and then after a period of time discontinued. This population received a questionnaire in the mail focused on factors contributing to their cessation of resistance training exercise. Qualitative results were analyzed using inductive content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-six survey responses were received (average age 71.5 years, SD =9.0; 79% females). Injury, illness, and holidaying were the main reasons for ceasing participation. A small but important number of responses (11%) reported that they considered they were not provided with sufficient support during the resistance training programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To attract and retain their senior clients, the results indicate that program organizers need to provide tailored support to return to resistance training after injury and offer flexible and individualized services that accommodate older people's life choices in retirement.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science.
authors.forename: Elissa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Speech Pathology.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pettigrew
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University.
authors.forename: Gill
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science.
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bainbridge
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science.
authors.forename: Kaela
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Farrier
authors.affiliation: Council on the Ageing, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Airey
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science.
authors.forename: Keith D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: aging; gymnasium; older people; retention; strength training