There were two final program-related subthemes noted in the coding, which appeared to be important for PA adherence in these types of voluntary community programs. Firstly, there was strong agreement from members that availability of the group programs was at very
low cost compared to other types of PA options available. This was possible because the programs were typically provided by volunteers with a small yearly fee to cover costs. For example, one man commented that,
“the other advantage or the good part about it–with, LAC groups. Is the cost, you know? (All participants agreed)..To, such a minimum cost per year. Because it’s all voluntary work. And so that’s a great advantage really... Because, you know, you just don’t mind spending that small amount of money to stay in a group like that”. The second program-related sub-theme mentioned by some people that motivated their continued membership were the health benefits they gained from their exercise participation (see next section). See Fig.
2 for a diagram of the linkages between these themes.
Physical health benefits of participation in community activity groups
Only PA focus group participants felt that they gained physical benefits from participation in their LAC programs. The benefits fell into two major subthemes:
i) improved physical capacity and
ii) improved general physical health (see also Table
3).
i) Improved physical capacity was a subtheme describing benefits of program participation on physical ability such as strength and fitness and this translated into an ease of activity of daily living, feeling better and having more energy. For example, one man commented that “I’m very, very active now and just do everything, that’s so much easier, whether you’re walking or … Whatever you’re doing at home, it’s just so much easier. You just feel so much better”.
ii) Improved general physical health was mentioned by more than half the participants has a key benefit of participating in PA programs. In nearly all cases the benefits were not further elaborated (e.g. “It’s good mental health as well as physical”). However, one man did specifically mention that he felt the PA program reduced the disease burden of an existing chronic condition “I needed the health benefits, joys of being diabetic … dancing three or four times a week to here does help keep, keep you active”.
There was also reflection among most of the PA program participants that the perceived benefits of participation in their chosen PA program was an additional motivator for continued attendance. For example, one woman said “And the motivator’s health, continuing good health as long as you can”.
Psychological health benefits of participation in community activity groups
Focus group participants in both groups discussed a variety of psychological benefits relating to involvement in LAC programs. The FG data revealed six main subthemes;
i) adapt to major life events (such as moving-house, retirement or unwell loved ones) ii) cognitive stimulation iii) improved mental health (general) iv) improved life gratitude/life satisfaction/ or QoL v) stress reduction/relaxation vi) enjoyment (enjoying the activities or company of others in the groups or looking forward to the activities). The number of mentions of each subtheme can be found in Table
3.
i) Adapt to major life events (such as moving-house, retirement or unwell loved ones): Many participants described their reason for joining their LAC and the main benefit of membership as being to help them adapt to a major life event. The discussion in both groups was very similar and suggests that both program types offer this benefit to a similar degree. It appears that the reason for this important benefit is that the PA or social programs offer a common activity of interest for connecting socially with others who have similar interests and making new friends at these times of social network flux. One woman in the PA group explained “I’ve got a new life. Absolutely. [INV: In what way?]. Oh, just meeting people. I’m happier in myself, I was losing all my dance friends because of my partner because with the [Disease] taking over”. A woman in the social group said “I do find that most of the enquiries I get for the (for joining a LAC) club are from people who have moved to the area. They’ve moved from interstate to live with their children or be near their children. And they’re looking to start a new social life. And a lot of them do come along to our activities and then gradually get to meet other people”.
ii) Cognitive stimulation was derived predominantly from the activities themselves in ways such as remembering dance steps, learning new skills and mentally challenging games such as Mah-Jong. Though mentioned in both groups, this theme was more prominent in the PA group such as a comment from one of the women: “dancing’s such a mental thing too. [M1 Yeah]. To remember all the routines and over toes and all the shaping, and there’s just so much to think of all at one time. So it’s good for the brain”.
In a few cases, the PA group participants summarised the benefits of group membership as being good for their iii) general mental health: “it’s a psychological benefit, isn’t it”. With further exploration, both groups did identify a number of specific mental health benefits including iv) improved life gratitude/life satisfaction/ or QoL. There appeared to be two main ways that quality of life was improved through group participation, this first is through the development of friendships: “it’s added health and … companionship to my life … it’s a real quality of life improver, definitely”. The second way is through meeting a variety of people and coming to appreciate the good things in one’s own life such as stated here by one woman in the social group: “I generally just meet people from different walks of life, and you realize, I suppose, how lucky you are to have what you’ve got. And I think you just meet a, a wider group of the community.”
v) Stress reduction/relaxation was also psychological benefits mentioned in both groups. The activity and the socialisation appeared to offer an escape from daily lives, which aided relaxation. For example, one woman in the social group said “it’s lovely to just, to be sit down, enjoy everyone’s company and be accepted. And, have a relaxing time, and then go home to reality afterwards”. In the PA group another woman said “less stressed and, just much more relaxed. I actually can relax. I definitely feel the benefit. -Hugely”. Other members of the PA group strongly agreed that participation in the PA activities assisted with stress reduction.
Finally, a key psychological benefit of program participation independent of activity type was vi) enjoyment. It was discussed at length in both groups. Enjoyment was derived from enjoying the activities or company of others in the groups or looking forward to the activities. There were a number of reasons given for the enjoyment benefits including socialising and sharing of experiences. For example, one of the women in the social group said: “If someone’s got a problem with a task, someone’ll say, ‘Does anyone know how to do this?’ and we learn from each other. We have lots of fun, and, um, and, uh, yeah, and we can learn some more crafts. So, yeah, it’s, it’s really good”.