Older Adults' Physical Activity Beliefs by Race and Activity Status

Background/Purpose: Despite the importance of physical activity (PA) participation, rural older adults, and especially ethnic minorities, are significantly less active than White urban older adults. Identifying PA motivational strategies among historically underserved populations is imperative (USDHHS, 2020). Eliciting older adults’ salient PA beliefs derived from the theory of planned behavior (TPB) may facilitate the development of PA promotion programs (Conn, 1998). Given the paucity of research in this area, the purpose of this elicitation study was to identify and compare perceived PA behavioral, normative, and control beliefs by race (Whites vs. Blacks) and PA levels (inactive/underactive vs. highly active individuals) among diverse older adults.

Method: Data collection took place in 2010 in rural community-based settings. Participants (n = 140; M_age = 75; Blacks = 73; Whites = 65) were interviewed using six open-ended questions to elicit their salient TPB-based PA beliefs.

Analysis/Results: Two experts independently evaluated the developed themes of the content analysis, and the most salient PA beliefs were tallied and rank ordered from the most to the least important. Highly active people reported more PA advantages than inactive/underactive individuals, including improved physical functioning, muscle strength, and cardiovascular health. Emotional health was more important among highly active participants than inactive/underactive people. The same advantages were reported for Whites and Blacks, including overall health, physical and emotional functioning, and muscle strength. Emotional functioning was more salient among Blacks than Whites, and physical functioning was ranked about the same in both groups. For all four groups falls/injuries and pain were the most common disadvantages, which were reported more frequently among inactive/underactive people than highly active people. Highly active participants and Blacks reported a wider supportive environment, including family, friends/peers, and doctor than inactive/underactive people and Whites. Access to facilities and programs was the top facilitator among inactive/underactive people, highly active participants, and Blacks. Time was an important facilitator among Whites and highly active people. Overall health was salient to all participants. All four groups stated similar barriers, including injury/illness, pain, and health issues. However, Blacks perceived more barriers than Whites.

Conclusions: The health benefits of PA, including emotional and physical functioning, need to be emphasized among especially inactive/underactive people. Additional support resources and time management skills are beneficial among mainly inactive/underactive participants. Enhancing PA access is fundamental among rural older adults. Together with physician assistance, the promotion of safe activities is critical, especially among Blacks.