Towards co‐designing active ageing strategies

A qualitative study to develop a meaningful physical activity typology for later life

Bibliographic Data

ID19507936
AuthorsCornelia Guell (0000-0003-0105-410X, MRC Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) University of Cambridge Cambridge UK, corresponding author), Jenna Panter (0000-0001-8870-718X, MRC Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) University of Cambridge Cambridge UK), Simon J Griffin (0000-0002-2157-4797, University of Cambridge), Simon Griffin (MRC Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) University of Cambridge Cambridge UK), David Ogilvie (0000-0002-0270-4672, MRC Epidemiology Unit and UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) University of Cambridge Cambridge UK)
Year2018
Volume21
Issue5
Pages919-926
Publication date2018-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.12686
PMID29624803
OpenAlexW2795487304
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited21

BACKGROUND: Physical activity levels decline in later life despite the known benefits for physical, cognitive and mental health. Older people find it difficult to meet activity targets; therefore, more realistic and meaningful strategies are needed. We aimed to develop a typology of older people's motivations and lifelong habits of being active as a starting point to co-designing active ageing strategies in a workshop. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 participants aged 65-80 in Norfolk, UK, and participant observation with 17 of them. At a workshop with 13 study participants and 6 government and civil society representatives, we invited reflections on preliminary findings. RESULTS: Three types were developed. "Exercisers" had engaged in sport and exercise throughout their life but experienced physical ill health and limitations as barriers. "Out-and-about-ers" pursued social engagement and a variety of interests but experienced biographical disruption through retirement and loss of companions that limited social activities in later life. A final type characterized people who preferred "sedentary/solitary" activities. A workshop elicited suggestions for new strategies relating to these types that addressed people's specific motivations. An example was to combine social engagement and physical activity in "dog-parent"-walking schemes to link people through shared responsibility for a dog. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that these potential strategies map more closely onto the everyday life-worlds in which public health might seek to intervene than common physical activity interventions. Most notably, this means a more differentiated understanding of barriers, and acknowledging that intellectual, social or solitary pursuits can include incidental physical activity

Active ageing · Everyday life · Mental health · Older people · Physical activity · Political science · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychotherapist · Public relations · Social engagement · Social science · Sociology · Typology · Applied Psychology · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Social Psychology · Technology Use by Older Adults · Gerontology

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