Exploring Aging Stereotypes and Age-Specific Physical Activity Factors Among Active Older Adults

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) in later life acts as a modifiable and prevention factor of many chronic diseases, however the majority of older adults are inactive. Age stereotypes are an important psychosocial barrier to PA. To date, research has mainly focused on negative age stereotype, in inactive or competitive older adults, using quantitative-and-individually focused methodologies. The objective of this study was to explore aging beliefs in active older adults (i.e., age stereotypes), and the age-specific factors influencing the adoption and maintenance of PA using the social-ecological model. Results demonstrate participants believed aging-related decline to be both inevitable and controllable, and revealed multi-level age-specific PA factors. This study provides new perspectives on the multi-level age-specific factors influencing later-life PA. These results suggest that these age-specific multi-level factors should be considered and incorporated when implementing interventions (i.e., programs and/or policies) to increase PA uptake and support the maintenance of PA in later life.