What do community-dwelling Caucasian and South Asian 60-70 year olds think about exercise for fall prevention?

Abstract

Background: strategies to prevent falls often recommend regular exercise. However, 40% of over 50s in the UK report less physical activity than is recommended. Even higher rates of sedentary behaviour have been reported among South Asian older adults.Objective: to identify salient beliefs that influence uptake and adherence to exercise for fall prevention among community-dwelling Caucasian and South Asian 60–70 year olds in the UK.Methods: we undertook an ethnographic study using participant observation, 15 focus groups (n = 87; mean age = 65.7 years) and 40 individual semi-structured interviews (mean age = 64.8 years). Data analysis used framework analysis.Results: young older adults do not acknowledge their fall risk and are generally not motivated to exercise to prevent falls. Those who had fallen are more likely to acknowledge risk of future falls. Whilst many of the beliefs about falls and exercise expressed were very similar between Caucasians and South Asians, there was a tendency for South Asians to express fatalistic beliefs more often.Conclusion: fall prevention should not be the focus of strategies to increase uptake and adherence to exercise. The wider benefits of exercise, leading to an active healthy lifestyle should be encouraged.

What are the barriers and facilitators to exercise and physical activity uptake and adherence among South Asian older adults: A systematic review of qualitative studies

“…Investigations were conducted in Canada and the UK. Participants included SA men and women with the following conditions who were advised to undertake PA to improve their health: CHD (Bedi et al, 2008;Darr et al, 2008;Galdas et al, 2011;King et al, 2006;Webster et al, 2002), diabetes (Webster et al, 2002), osteoporosis (McKenna and Ludwig, 2008) and for the prevention of falls (Horne et al, 2009(Horne et al, , 2010. Indian Sikh, Indian Gujarati and Pakistani Muslim individuals were represented, but not those originating from Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.…”

Balance, falls, and exercise: Beliefs and experiences in people with hemophilia: A qualitative study

“…Many expressed fear and worry related to falling, which has been noted as both a barrier21 and a facilitator31 of exercise in other populations. Those who exercised regularly did not view exercise as hazardous, while those who did not dependably exercise articulated worry that dangers of exercise may offset the benefits.…”

Older Adults’ Uptake and Adherence to Exercise Classes: Instructors’ Perspectives

“…The instructors' solution was to use words such as 'movement' and 'functional' rather than 'exercise' as it reinforces older adults' beliefs the class is achievable and appropriate for them. Issues of identity have been explored in relation to falls interventions and strength and balance classes (Horne, Speed, Skelton, & Todd, 2009;Yardley et al, 2007). There are already recommendations around how strength and balance classes should be promoted, not as an intervention to prevent falls but as an opportunity for healthy active ageing (Help the Aged, 2005).…”