Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37595070›Full record

SynthesisAge and ageing2023

Factors that influence older adults' participation in physical activity: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

Samantha J Meredith, Natalie J Cox, Kinda Ibrahim, Joanna Higson, Jessica McNiff, Stephanie Mitchell, Matthew Rutherford, Anusan Wijayendran, Susan D Shenkin, Alixe H M Kilgour and 1 more

Open access · hybridAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Age and ageing, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 143 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
143citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
30.7field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

143 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 175 citations in OpenAlex.

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83 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors at 5 institutions in 1 country.

Samantha J MeredithAcademic Geriatric Medicine, Southampton, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-4925-002X
Natalie J CoxAcademic Geriatric Medicine, Southampton, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-4297-1206
Kinda IbrahimAcademic Geriatric Medicine, Southampton, UK.
Joanna HigsonNHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.
Jessica McNiffNHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.
Stephanie MitchellNHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.
Matthew RutherfordThe University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Anusan WijayendranThe University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Susan D ShenkinNHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-7375-4776
Alixe H M KilgourNHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.
Stephen E R LimAcademic Geriatric Medicine, Southampton, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-2496-2362
NHS Lothian · GBUniversity of Edinburgh · GBUniversity of Southampton · GBNIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre · GBUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust · GB

Funding

Department of Health
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite the advantages of physical activity (PA), older adults are often insufficiently active to maximise health. Understanding factors that influence PA engagement will support well-designed interventions for older people. Our aim was to review the qualitative evidence exploring the factors affecting older adults' engagement in PA.

methodsWe searched six electronic databases for studies of community-dwelling older adults (≥70 years) including qualitative methods. We excluded studies of a single-disease group, individuals with cognitive impairment and care home residents. Methodological rigour was assessed with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme, and framework synthesis was applied using the Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model, which hypothesises that behaviour is influenced by three factors: capability, opportunity and motivation.

resultsTwenty-five studies were included in the review (N = 4,978; mean 79 years) and 32 themes were identified. Older adults' capability was influenced by functional capacity (e.g. strength) and perceived risk of injury from PA (e.g. falls). Opportunity was impacted by the environment 'fit' (e.g. neighbourhood safety), the availability of social interaction and socio-cultural ageing stereotypes. PA was motivated by identifying as an 'exerciser', health gains and experiencing positive emotions (e.g. enjoyment), whereas negative sensations (e.g. pain) reduced motivation.

conclusionsThe qualitative synthesis showcased a complex web of interacting factors influencing PA between the sub-domains of COM-B, pinpointing directions for intervention, including a focus on whole systems approaches. There was a lack of research exploring PA influences in the oldest old and in low-income countries. Future research should seek to involve under-served groups, including a wider diversity of older people.

Indexed as

AgingCognitive DysfunctionAgedAged, 80 and overDatabases, FactualExerciseHumansQualitative ResearchCapability Opportunity Motivation—Behaviour (COM-B) Modelolder adultsolder peoplephysical activityqualitative synthesissystematic review

Identifiers

PMID37595070
PMCPMC10438214
OpenAlexW4385972792

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.