Barriers and motivators to gym attendance by older persons

Abstract

Introduction: The importance of, and awareness towards healthy ageing and active ageing are major points of discussion in view of the increase in average longevity across the globe, and Malta is no exception. Improving physical fitness dimensions may play a role in active ageing. The barriers and motivators to physical activity within the older population have been largely studied, much more than to the specific context of gym attendance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the attitudes of community-dwelling older persons (≥ 65 years) towards gym attendance with the purpose of providing the evidence to support policy makers and entrepreneurs to promote workout spaces that are specifically designed for and intended to the needs of older persons. Method: A multi-method case study approach was adopted, consisting of data collected via an online survey in a first phase, followed by data collected from interviews in a second phase. Both the survey questionnaire and the interview guide were developed by the research team. Data in Phase 1 was collected through the social media platform Facebook. Participants for Phase 2 – the interview phase, were approached following their self declared interest to participate in this phase. Analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential methods for the findings from Phase 1; framework analysis was used to interpret the findings from Phase 2 using the socio-ecological framework and social determinants of health as a basis for discussion and interpretation. Findings/ results: 177 community-dwelling older persons participated in Phase 1. 12 participants participated in Phase 2. The key findings from the first phase are that the likelihood of attending a gym is greater amongst the young old (65-69 years), those living with a spouse/partner, those living in the Northern Harbour District, as well as those with higher education levels. Conversely, the likelihood of not attending a gym is greater for the older old (≥80 years), those living with children, those living in the Southern Harbour district or Gozo and Comino District, and those with lower educational levels. Barriers and motivators were also analysed through a 1-5 Likert scale, with 1 representing the least and 5 representing the greatest. In the order of greatest to lowest barriers to attending a gym, the top five barriers were cost (3.12), lack of age-appropriate programs (3.07), lack of willpower (3.01), poor health (2.98), and lack of positive attitude (2.80). The greatest five motivators were good health (4.18), physical functioning benefits (3.95), physical benefits (3.92), improved well-being (3.89), and health benefits (3.87). A trend was also observed between genders, where females experienced greater barriers when compared to males. Individual factors such as perceived health limitations and perceived negative mental health were found to be more likely to act as a barrier to gym attendance than social factors, whilst social factors such as economic support and good neighbourhood and built environment were more likely to motivate older persons to attending a gym. Conclusion: Whilst most older persons understand the benefits of gym attendance, this attendance is dependent on a number of factors that may impact a decision to pursue such goals. For policy makers and entrepreneurs knowing what hinders and/ or motivates older persons to attending a gym may serve to focus on reducing the barriers and promoting motivators amongst older persons in pursuit of national and global goals linked to active and healthy ageing.