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Erschienen in:
01.09.2020 | Original Article
Opinion of community-dwelling elderly obese about the barriers and facilitators to engage physical exercise
Erschienen in: Sport Sciences for Health | Ausgabe 3/2020
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhaltenAbstract
Objective
Adherence of elderly population to physical exercise programs is scarce. Our objective was to identify perceived barriers and facilitators reported by obese older adults to engage in regular physical activity and to explore their association with poor active life.
Study design
A cross-sectional survey was performed.
Methods
One hundred and eighty community-dwelling, obese (BMI > 30 and < 40), 65–75-year-old adults were recruited. Participants were asked to answer the “barriers and facilitators for exercise” survey and to report their usual physical activity.
Results
Approximately 60% of obese older adults engaged in poor physical activity. Lack of motivation/willpower and pain were the most reported reasons not to exercise, but significant differences exist between sexes. Women were more likely not to exercise due to pain or fatigue, while lack of time was more frequently reported in men. Age, female sex, pain, and lack of motivation and willpower were independent risk factors for not exercising, while the desire to go outdoors and to the nature was an independent protective factor for exercising.
Conclusion
There are some important barriers which prevent obese older people to exercise. These aspects should be taken into account when designing physical exercise programs for the elderly, since considering patient’s preferences and personal limitations would improve adherence to such programs and their effectiveness.