Seven A’s of Active Aging: Older Men’s Suggestions for Physical Activity Programs

Abstract

In an attempt to offset the widespread anticipated impact of aging populations, active aging programs have become nearly ubiquitous in Western society. Nonetheless, older adults tend to remain relatively inactive. The perspectives of older adults constitute a key resource to help guide active aging efforts. Moreover, gender-sensitized and ecological approaches to physical activity programming may contribute markedly to the efficacy and inclusiveness of such initiatives. Considering the paucity of research regarding older men’s suggestions for physical activity programs, this study involved semistructured interviews to ascertain the perceptions among 19 older men (aged 75–90 years). Through a thematic analysis, seven key attributes emerged that participants believed physical activity programs should possess: affordable, available, accessible, adapted, alternative, accompanied, and awareness. The complexities and implications pertaining to these attributes are discussed in the context of ecological theory and ideals of masculinity.

Role Models of Aging among Older Men: Strategies for Facilitating Change and Implications for Health Promotion

“…From a health promotion standpoint, it makes sense to endorse role model profiles that are not too rigidly based on traditionally perceived masculine ideals of success in terms of elite athleticism. Previous findings from our work [ 9 , 18 , 78 ] and that of others (e.g., [ 79 ]) suggests a disparity between societal masculine norms, such as self-reliance, strength, and stoicism, and what older men actually prefer in their leisure, such as the men in the current study who discussed role models that provide emotional and social support. This outcome reveals that alternative avenues of expressing oneself through sport, exercise, or leisure, which may emphasize companionship and enjoyment over independence and competition, for example, could resonate with more men and inspire change among older men.…”

“…Many older adults do not experience the physical, psychological, social, and aging-related benefits that can be obtained through engagement (the terms engagement, participation, and involvement are used interchangeably) with sport, exercise, and physical activity [ 5 , 6 ]. Strategies to promote active aging (e.g., engagement with physically active pursuits) are abundant in media and policy [ 7 ], alongside the multitude of reasons older adults do not or cannot participate (e.g., physical limitations, accessibility constraints, and lack of interest [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Although still within its infancy, an emerging body of evidence suggests that later-life role models may be useful in promoting physical activity and exercise rehabilitation adherence among older adults [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

“…The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to and the ways in which role models can facilitate participation in sport, physical activity, and exercise and cultivate positive perceptions of aging among older men. That is, a group who is typically less likely to seek help for their health and tend to be hard-to-reach in terms of involvement in formal public health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, for possible reasons related to masculine ideals of independence, solitude and/or stoicism, especially as they age (see [ 9 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]). A greater understanding of gender-sensitive health promotion strategies is necessary for all genders, yet there is very little research in this area focused exclusively on men aged 75 years and over [ 9 , 18 ].…”

“…Given the apparent complexity and novelty regarding role models for aging, exploratory qualitative research is a useful approach to deepen the understanding on this topic that ultimately aims to improve the later life experiences of our rapidly aging population (see [ 34 , 54 ]). There is also a need for research focused exclusively on men 75 years of age and over given the disproportionate growth of the population aged over 75 years and how this cohort might have different needs to those between 60 and 75 years and women who are aged 75 years and over [ 9 ]. By focusing on men 75 years of age and older, this study builds on and allows direct comparisons to be made to the qualitative work by Horton et al [ 11 ] on role models and perspectives on Masters athletes among women aged 75 and over who varied in their levels of physical activity involvement.…”

Essential factors and key features in designing active aging programs and their outcomes: A narrative review study

“…In the field of active aging programs, the majority of studies were conducted in Spain ( n = 6),[ 16 21 23 24 25 26 ] Mexico ( n = 4),[ 11 27 28 29 ] United States of America ( n = 3),[ 30 31 32 ] China ( n = 3)[ 33 34 35 ] and England ( n = 3),[ 36 37 38 ] respectively. Other countries carried out one or two studies in this area: Canada,[ 39 40 ] Denmark,[ 17 41 ] Australia,[ 42 43 ] Italy,[ 18 44 ] Portugal,[ 20 45 ] Iran,[ 22 46 ] Union Europe,[ 47 ] the Republic of Tatarstan,[ 48 ] Scotland,[ 49 ] Chile,[ 50 ] Germany,[ 51 ] and Brazil. [ 52 ] Most studies were conducted from 2015 onwards ( n = 32, 80%).…”