Physical activity motivators and barriers in different physical activity profiles among older adults

Abstract Background While the health effects of physical activity (PA) and factors that promote or restrict PA have been well studied, it is still unclear if PA motivators or barriers differ among older adults with different PA behavior. The aim of this study was to compare PA motivators and barriers in older adults with different movement profiles. Methods The study used a population-based sample of older adults aged 67-70 years (n = 714) from the Oulu1945 cohort. Four PA profiles (Couch potatoes, Light movers, Sedentary actives, Actives) were created based on medians of moderate-to-vigorous PA and sedentary time measured with a wrist-worn Polar Active accelerometer (n = 660). PA motivators and barriers were identified using a questionnaire and quantitative differences in their prevalence between PA profiles were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with post-hoc pairwise comparisons. Results All profiles had similar most important motivators: promoting health, enjoying nature, enjoying PA, mood enhancement and increasing energy. Those in the least active profile (Couch potatoes) were less likely to report that these factors motivated them for engaging PA. In all PA profiles, laziness and illness/injury emerged as the two most common factors restricting PA. Unlike in other profiles, lack of physical skills emerged as one of the five most significant barriers in the least active profile (17% identified it as a barrier). Overall, the two least active profiles reported higher number of barriers compared to the most active profile (p ≤ 0.001). The differences in the number of barriers were related to the individual-level factors and the differences persisted even after excluding those with illness/injury-related PA restrictions (p ≤ 0.003). Conclusions There are differences in the experience of PA motivators and barriers among older adults with different PA profiles. The findings can be utilized when planning strategies aimed at promoting health-enhancing PA among sedentary older adults. Key messages • Physical activity motivators and barriers differ among older adults with different movement profiles. • Physical activity programs and strategies should consider the individuality of older adults to motivate especially sedentary older adults.