Readiness for Exercise Goes Beyond Falls History in Malaysian Older Adults

Background

Exercise participation is central to fall prevention in older adults, yet readiness to engage in exercise programs may be influenced by health and psychosocial factors beyond falls history alone. Understanding these influences is essential for designing effective, person-centered community interventions.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among community-dwelling older adults attending activity centers in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Readiness to participate in exercise programs was assessed using the six dimensions of the Community Readiness Model framework and analysed as a continuous outcome. Linear regression analyses examined the association between self-reported falls history in the past year and readiness for exercise. Multivariable models adjusted for self-reported disease history, memory problems, and satisfaction with health and quality of life.

Results

A total of 235 older adults participated (mean age 68.2 ± 5.4 years). Falls history was not significantly associated with readiness to participate in exercise programs in unadjusted (B = −0.005, p = 0.689) or adjusted analyses (B = −0.011, p = 0.365). In contrast, self-reported memory problems (B = 0.031, p = 0.006) and higher satisfaction with health and quality of life (B = 0.034, p = 0.002) were independently associated with greater readiness for exercise participation.

Conclusion

Readiness to engage in exercise among older adults appears to be influenced more by cognitive factors and perceived health than by falls history itself. Fall prevention initiatives should move beyond risk-based targeting to incorporate cognitive and psychosocial considerations to enhance engagement and uptake in community-based programs.