Physical Activity Participation in Older Adults: An Expert Statement

Introduction
Physical activity is defined as “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that result in energy expenditure” (Langhammer and Bergland, & Rydwik, 2018). Adopting a physically active lifestyle is linked to several positive health outcomes. Besides, it becomes an even more important component for the elderly. The elderly are less likely to be engaged in physical activities when compared to the overall population as they opt for a more sedentary lifestyle. They must be mobilized to participate in these activities because of the health benefits they would gain. Enablers are the factors that are central to enhancing, supporting, facilitating, or fostering participation in physical activity. Enablers come in varied perspectives including personal characteristics and social motivators such as support groups. Similarly, barriers appear within these metrics with environmental, social, and personal levels acting as hindrances in their way. On the other hand, a couple of theories including self-determination theory and the theory of planned behavior endear to explain the behavioral response from older people in relevance to their participation in physical activities.
Enablers and Challenges for Physical Activity for Older Adults
Personal characteristics are identified as the most fundamental source of motivation and inspiration as well as the hindrance because the individual’s innate state determines their commitment to the cause (Bethancourt, Rosenberg, Beatty, & Arterburn, 2014). The person’s ill-health, for instance, can be an enabler or motivator depending on their perspective of the situation. Under ordinary circumstances, ill-health conditions such as overall poor health, cancer, musculoskeletal conditions, and urinary incontinence would hinder the individual from participating in physical activities (Franco et al., 2015). The same goes for osteoarthritis, which induces significant pain for the person. However, others may perceive their ill-health as an opportunity to enhance their mental, physical, psychological, and cognitive well-being. A study in New Zealand indicated that some elderly persons participated in these exercises to attain an increased sense of self-control, breathe well, feel happy, and enjoy the physical activity (Rosenkranz & Kolt, 2013). Older adults with arthritis and hypertension could choose this path and even continue this path despite the pain, fatigue, tiredness, dizziness, muscle weakness, and shortness of breath (Matthews et al., 2009). Individuals with positive expectations tend to immerse themselves in such activities. They happen to have an advanced level of self-perception. Willpower becomes an integral concept and they are very much unlikely to be lazy in their pursuit of physical fitness.
Similarly, social factors have a vital contribution to this development. Social influence encapsulates support from people in the immediate surrounding. In this case, encouragement from health professionals, family, friends, and peers comes in handy as it advances the person’s zeal and participation in these activities (Cavill & Foster, 2018). Peers and family have a unique impact on the individual as they consist of the most trusted group by the pers...