Related resources
Full-text held externally
Search for item elsewhere
University researcher(s)
Older Adults’ Uptake and Adherence to Exercise Classes: Instructors’ Perspectives
Hawley-Hague, H. Horne, M., Skelton, D., Todd, C.
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 2016;24(1):119-128.
Access to files
-
Â
POST-PEER-REVIEW-NON-PUBLISHERS.PDFÂ (pdf)
Abstract
Exercise classes provide a range of benefits for older adults, but adherence levels are poor. We know little of instructorsâ€Â™ experiences of delivering exercise classes to older adults. Semi-structured interviews,informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), were conducted with instructors (n=19) delivering multi-component exercise classes to establish their perspectives on older adultsâ€Â™ uptake and adherence to exercise classes. Analysis revealed â€Â˜barriersâ€Â™ related to identity, choice/control, cost, venue and â€Â˜solutionsâ€Â™ including providing choice, relating exercise to identity, a personal touch and social support. â€Â˜Barriersâ€Â™ to adherence included unrealistic expectations and social influences and â€Â˜solutionsâ€Â™ identified were encouraging commitment, creating social cohesion and an emphasis on achieving outcomes. Older adultsâ€Â™attitudes were an underlying theme, which related to all barriers and solutions. The instructor plays an important, but not isolated, role in older adultsâ€Â™ uptake and adherence to classes. Instructorsâ€Â™ perspectives help us to further understand how we can design successful exercise classes.