Typologies of physical education experts’ perspectives on designing physical activity program guidelines for older adults in urban–rural community centers: a Q-methodology study

This study employed Q methodology to identify and categorize the subjective perspectives of physical education experts on developing physical activity program guidelines for older adults in senior community centers situated in South Korea's urban-rural hybrid regions. As health promotion for aging populations becomes increasingly important, existing physical activity programs often lack expert-led design and contextual relevance. To address this issue, 25 Q-statements were refined based on a literature review and focus group interviews. Twenty qualified experts participated in the Q-sorting process, and the data were analyzed using centroid factor extraction and Varimax rotation. The analysis revealed four distinct types: (1) infrastructure-focused planning, (2) psychosocial well-being emphasis, (3) instructor-participant relational focus, and (4) structured and accessible design. While participants' perspectives differed, they consistently emphasized the importance of stress reduction and cognitive engagement across all types. These findings underscore the need for multidimensional, expert-informed, and locally adapted physical activity program guidelines for senior centers, particularly in transitional urban-rural areas. The results offer practical insights for developing evidence-based interventions that support healthy aging and improve the quality of life for older adults.