Shifting barriers to exercise in later life: increasing impact among the oldest-old

[Purpose] Regular exercise is crucial for preventing frailty and functional decline in older adults participation remains low, especially at advanced ages. Although barriers to exercise in later life have been identified, differences across age groups within older populations remain understudied. This study examined barriers to exercise participation across age categories among adults aged 65 years or older.[Methods] We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 312 adults aged ≥ 65 years in South Korea (mean age, 80.47 ± 6.80 years). Participants were categorized into four age groups (65-75, 76-80, 81-85, and ≥ 86 years). Barriers to exercise participation were assessed across five domains: economic constraints, psychological or emotional constraints, information seeking skills, environmental or physical constraints, and program-related aspects or personal concerns. Chi-square tests and post-hoc analysis were used to identify differences in reported barriers across age groups.[Results] Significant age-group differences were observed in psychological or emotional constraints, information seeking skills, and program-related aspects or personal concerns. These barriers did not significantly differ between the 65-75 and 76-80 years age groups; however, they were reported more frequently among participants aged ≥ 81 years, with the highest reporting observed among those aged ≥ 85 years.[Conclusions] Barriers to exercise participation vary qualitatively across age strata and become particularly pronounced after age 81. These findings underscore the limitations of considering older adults as a homogeneous group and highlight the need for age-sensitive, integrated intervention strategies to promote exercise participation among the oldest-old.