Volume 30, Issue 5 (8-2023)
RJMS 2023, 30(5): 337-349 |
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Research code: 01
Ethics code: IR.IAU.SARI.REC.1403.203
Clinical trials code: 01
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Zarinejhad B, Ghorbani S, Dana A. Designing a Qualitative Model of Environmental Factors Affecting the Participation of the Elderly in Physical Activity. RJMS 2023; 30 (5) :337-349
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8138-en.html
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8138-en.html
Department of Physical Education, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran. , Saeedghorbani_ur@yahoo.com
Abstract: (135 Views)
Background & Aims: In the third millennium, aging has become a major global reality more than in the past. The research that has been done so far regarding the physical activity of the elderly can be divided into 4 categories. The first group examined the state of physical activity, and the second group examined the effects of physical activity on the elderly. The third group investigates the factors preventing the participation in physical activity of the elderly. Finally, the fourth category refers to the study of the motivations for the participation of the elderly in physical activities. According to the conducted research, it can be seen that interventions to increase physical activity in the elderly focus on the factors of individual and psychological changes. However, focusing on individual and psychological factors, only small groups of people can achieve this goal. While various interventions, including environmental and physical factors of the place of residence, can have a decisive role in the participation or non-participation of the elderly in physical activity. Environmental factors include the objective and perceived characteristics of the physical context in which people spend their time (eg, home, neighborhood), including aspects of urban design (eg, the presence of sidewalks), traffic volume and speed, and the distance and design of physical activity venues. (eg, parks), and crime and safety. Previous research has reported a positive and significant relationship between nearby destinations and elderly walking for transportation. However, there are contradictions in research findings related to the effect of environmental factors (such as the quality of sidewalks, access to parks, availability of sports facilities, etc.) on the physical activity of the elderly. These contradictions may be related to the methodology (studies with quantitative methods) in previous research. Qualitative research and modeling can address some of these limitations and have the potential to inform and complement quantitative research on the impact of environmental factors on physical activity in the elderly. Qualitative research methods may include individual interviews, focus group discussions, and spatial methods (eg, on-site observation, audio-visual methodology, companion interviews). Qualitative individual interviews (whether semi-structured or in-depth) include open-ended questions that define an area to be explored in detail with the interviewees' responses. Focus group discussions benefit from group interactions that enable participants to explore their own perspectives, thereby highlighting cultural values or group norms that are less accessible in individual interviews. Qualitative spatial methods also help contextualize participants' perceptions and experiences in the environment. They contribute daily and, therefore, may be particularly useful when examining environmental perceptions and physical activity. However, it is unclear whether qualitative spatial methods have different and/or more accurate findings than individual internal or focus group interviews. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to provide a systematic review of qualitative studies that investigate the potential impact of environmental factors on the physical activity behaviors of the elderly. In particular, the purpose of the current research is to describe the characteristics and methodology of qualitative studies conducted in this field and to identify recurrent environmental factors and factors that are possibly related to the physical activity of the elderly, especially walking.
Methods: This research was of a qualitative type and the selected samples in the current research were professors and experts in the field of geriatric sports and faculty members, who were selected in a targeted manner. After conducting more than 15 hours of in-depth interviews with 30 people from the selected samples, theoretical saturation was achieved and the interviews were implemented. Based on the analysis results of field interviews in the 10-Nvivo environment; the mentioned qualitative model was obtained with 78 concepts and five indicators.
Results: The results of the research showed that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between the participation of the elderly in sports activities and environmental factors (pavement infrastructure, safety, access to facilities, aesthetics, and environmental conditions) which can increase the participation of the elderly in physical activities.
Conclusion: Considering the effective factors in increasing sports participation of the elderly, it improves health in various aspects of the life of the elderly, and this facilitates and improves the quality of geriatric nursing. It is suggested to officials and managers take into consideration the priorities identified in this research and make the necessary investment and planning so that the elderly can design more sports programs to continue their lives. In the review of previous research, it was indicated that most of the research was conducted based on predetermined guidelines that focused on the physical environment or physical activity, while only a few researches focused on environmental factors and physical activity. As a result, the findings of these studies mainly focused on informed views about environmental factors or physical activity (such as barriers and facilitators of physical activity). Future qualitative studies should include guidelines that include both environmental factors and the physical activity of the elderly. In conclusion, it is suggested that in order to promote physical activity among the elderly, environments should provide high-quality pedestrian infrastructure, be safe from crime and traffic, and provide easy access to exercise opportunities, daily destinations, and rest spaces. It should be aesthetically attractive and provide pleasant environmental conditions. The findings of the present study showed that qualitative research can provide in-depth information not only about which, but also how and why environmental factors affect the physical activity of the elderly. It is not just about an environmental feature (eg, a sidewalk), but it's quality (eg, continuity, uniformity, maintenance, separation) that should be considered when designing environments that aim to encourage physical activity among older adults. It is also suggested to future researchers that in their research, they should not only consider the existence of specific environmental features but also their quality.
Methods: This research was of a qualitative type and the selected samples in the current research were professors and experts in the field of geriatric sports and faculty members, who were selected in a targeted manner. After conducting more than 15 hours of in-depth interviews with 30 people from the selected samples, theoretical saturation was achieved and the interviews were implemented. Based on the analysis results of field interviews in the 10-Nvivo environment; the mentioned qualitative model was obtained with 78 concepts and five indicators.
Results: The results of the research showed that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between the participation of the elderly in sports activities and environmental factors (pavement infrastructure, safety, access to facilities, aesthetics, and environmental conditions) which can increase the participation of the elderly in physical activities.
Conclusion: Considering the effective factors in increasing sports participation of the elderly, it improves health in various aspects of the life of the elderly, and this facilitates and improves the quality of geriatric nursing. It is suggested to officials and managers take into consideration the priorities identified in this research and make the necessary investment and planning so that the elderly can design more sports programs to continue their lives. In the review of previous research, it was indicated that most of the research was conducted based on predetermined guidelines that focused on the physical environment or physical activity, while only a few researches focused on environmental factors and physical activity. As a result, the findings of these studies mainly focused on informed views about environmental factors or physical activity (such as barriers and facilitators of physical activity). Future qualitative studies should include guidelines that include both environmental factors and the physical activity of the elderly. In conclusion, it is suggested that in order to promote physical activity among the elderly, environments should provide high-quality pedestrian infrastructure, be safe from crime and traffic, and provide easy access to exercise opportunities, daily destinations, and rest spaces. It should be aesthetically attractive and provide pleasant environmental conditions. The findings of the present study showed that qualitative research can provide in-depth information not only about which, but also how and why environmental factors affect the physical activity of the elderly. It is not just about an environmental feature (eg, a sidewalk), but it's quality (eg, continuity, uniformity, maintenance, separation) that should be considered when designing environments that aim to encourage physical activity among older adults. It is also suggested to future researchers that in their research, they should not only consider the existence of specific environmental features but also their quality.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Exercise Physiology
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