Abstract
Background
Physical inactivity in community-dwelling older adults is modifiable, and physical interventions are effective in reducing age-related decline and disease. Despite this, engagement and retention of older adults in community physical activity (PA) programmes are limited. This review explores factors affecting implementation of effective PA programmes for older people in the community.
Methods
Review of qualitative literature identified from MEDLINE, Social Policy and Practice, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Frontiers in Rehabilitation Science from 1999-2024. Data were extracted inductively by two independent reviewers and synthesised thematically using the Capability, Opportunity and Motivations (COM-B) and Theoretical Domains Frameworks (TDF).
Results
8647 articles were identified from searches and 57 (42 qualitative, 15 mixed-methods) studies included in the review. The review found complex interacting factors that affected the delivery of PA interventions (skillset of the instructors, regular training and habit formation) alongside factors that influenced older adult’s motivations to first engage in PA interventions and to maintain physically active over time (social influence of others, family members influence, resources and environmental conditions). A key finding was the identification of facilitators that are required to create both a cohesive, social environment for the intervention to take place, alongside the need for tailored interventions that meet the needs of participants.
Conclusions
This review has extended previous works by including factors that are influential to PA from the perspectives of intervention deliverers and highlighted the importance of assessing the needs of those who deliver the intervention. These factors should be taken into consideration when implementing programmes to support older adults to engage long-term with PA interventions.
Comments
Really interesting research…
Dr Allessia Cooper, thank…
Dr Allessia Cooper, thank you so much for your comment.
The main finding that can be transferred to any setting is assessing the needs of those who deliver the interventions.
The instructors are key to creating a cohesive social environment, tailored delivery of PA interventions that meet the needs of the participants and supporting participants self-efficacy to meet expectations of programme outcomes.
Other environmental factors might not be transferred to secondary care, however, taking environmental and structural factors into accounting when designing, delivering and implementing a PA intervention.
Had a quick look at your profile and noticed you are interested in respiratory and frailty, seems we share areas of interest.
I would like to connect in the future my emails, a.mahmoud [at] exeter.ac.uk and aseel.mahmoud1 [at] nhs.net
Many thanks
Aseel
Sustaining change
Really interesting research on what will enable sustained change for longer term benefits. Applicable to community as well as hospital settings and a challenge that can lead to long term health benefits if we can get this right
Thank you Helen for showing…
Thank you Helen for showing interest on our research.
Very informative...
This is a really interesting and informative review, it's great to see a focus on those delivering the intervention. Could you explain a little further about how habit formation influenced PA intervention delivery? I wondered if the included studies provided any suggestions for encouraging habit formation as part of PA interventions.
Thank you for your comment…
Thank you for your comment.
For older adults, the need for routine and habit formation acted as a facilitator for participation and engagement in PA.
The instructors tries to build the PA into the older person daily activities rather than a class only activity and this can ensure long engagement with PA and overcome some barriers like caring responsibilities.
Great poster!
I would like to know more on the factors influencing the delivery of PA interventions in the community. As a researcher developing a physical activity programme, how do I improve the deliverability of my programme?