Ethnic Differences in Barriers and Enablers to Physical Activity Among Older Adults

E You; NT Lautenschlager; CS Wan; AMY Goh; E Curran; TWH Chong; KJ Anstey; F Hanna; KA Ellis

Journal article

Ethnic Differences in Barriers and Enablers to Physical Activity Among Older Adults

E You, NT Lautenschlager, CS Wan, AMY Goh, E Curran, TWH Chong, KJ Anstey, F Hanna, KA Ellis

Frontiers in Public Health | FRONTIERS MEDIA SA | Published : 2021

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.691851

Download PDF

Abstract

Despite its well-known health benefits, most older adults do not commit to undertaking sufficient physical activity (PA). In this study we aimed to examine the perceived benefits of and barriers and enablers to PA from the perspectives of older Caucasian and Chinese adults living in Australia. Individual and group interviews with 17 Caucasian (mean age: 72.8 years) and 47 Chinese adults (mean age: 74.0 years) were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Overall, participants knew about the benefits of PA on physical health but had inconsistent views on its benefits on mental and cognitive health. Older Caucasian and Chinese adults reported similar barriers (e.g., health issues, costs..

View full abstract

University of Melbourne Researchers

Nicola Lautenschlager Author

Anita Goh Author

Eleanor Curran Author

Terence Chong Author

Related Projects (1)

CENTRES FOR RESEARCH EXCELLENCE IN PROMOTING COGNITIVE HEALTH AND PREVENTING COGNITIVE DECLINE

Cognitive health is essential for productivity at all ages. Common chronic diseases such as diabetes, and risk factors such as smoking, can ..

Grants

Awarded by University of Melbourne

Funding Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the funding support of the University of Melbourne Early Career Researcher Grant Scheme (502642), and the support of the Centre of Research Excellence in Cognitive Health (1100579) from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.