Promoting physical activity among community-dwelling seniors living in a Francophone rural area in New Brunswick

A pre-implementation qualitative study

Bibliographic Data

ID22075134
AuthorsJalila Jbilou (0000-0002-1776-4141, Université de Sherbrooke), Sharmeen Jalal Chowdhry (Université de Sherbrooke), Joey Frenette (0009-0000-1745-2693, Université de Sherbrooke), Iza Pinette Drapeau (Université de Sherbrooke), Ellène Comeau (0009-0003-9858-5122, Université de Sherbrooke), Adrien Bouhtiauy (Université de Sherbrooke), Said Mekari (Université de Sherbrooke)
Year2025
Volume13
Pages1498397-1498397
Publication date2025-04-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1498397
PMID40270751
OpenAlexW4409308900
LanguageEN
References cited40

Objectives: This study aimed to gather an in-depth understanding of Francophone community-dwelling seniors' needs and expectations regarding physical activity to inform the design and implementation of a community-based program in a rural area in New Brunswick. Methods: Using the socioecological model, a qualitative design was co-created and an interview guide co-developed to collect data from 24 participants, including two focus groups and 13 individual interviews. Content analyses were carried out to categorize and conceptualize the data into main and subthemes. Results: Four major themes emerged, including the presence of challenges and barriers (community and environmental obstacles, personal challenges, and social or cultural challenges), motivators and incentives (demographics, understanding the benefits of the program, sense of belonging, and preferred physical activities), designing program infrastructure (How, What, Where, time of offer, evaluation of capabilities, feelings of familiarity), and strategies to improve recruitment and retention (what would best allow participants to join and remain in the program). The findings of this study highlighted the key challenges community-dwelling seniors living in a rural area face in participating in physical activity programs (i.e., personal issues, geographic aspects, the importance of physical capacities, and cultural trends). Conclusion: While codesigning physical activity programs for community-dwelling seniors living in rural areas is time-consuming, it allows for a better understanding of the social and organizational assets and challenges of the target community. It also strategically contributes to managers' ownership and community engagement of/for the program to support its implementation and promotion

Independent living · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Qualitative research · Rural area · Sociology · Anthropology · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Medicine · Occupational Therapy Practice and Research · Physical Activity and Health · Gerontology

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Open DOIOpen Access