Illustrative quotations and references reporting each subtheme
| Themes and subthemes | Participants quotations from primary studies (reference number*) | N (%) | Reference number of studies reporting each subtheme: stratified analysis by type of physical activity* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social influences | |||
| Valuing interaction with peers | ‘I make friends and I enjoy my food after the class. It's also a social thing; we catch up with news from others. It's just like a big family.’ (33) ‘I wanted to be able to do something…with other people…I mean swimming they say is very good exercise…I love swimming but then that is an individual sort of thing and I wanted to do something with another group of people so that you had the social side of it.’ (7) | 84 (64) | Structured exercise: 5, 6, 10, 16, 24, 27, 33–35, 38, 39, 43, 48, 50, 53, 55, 56. 58, 59, 66, 67, 74, 80, 83, 88–90, 92, 100, 102, 105, 111, 112, 114, 117, 119, 120, 122, 124, 125, 131, 132 Other types of physical activity: 36, 37, 47, 49, 52, 60, 70, 82, 109, 113, 118, 128 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 28–30, 40, 45, 57, 62, 65, 68, 73, 75–77, 79, 84–86, 91, 94, 96, 97, 110, 116, 123, 127 |
| Social awkwardness | ‘I started classes but they were too fast. I was the oldest one and everyone else was younger…and…the rec center which is a lot of younger people who do not share the same kinds of needs that we do. Kinda hard to race an 18-year-old, you know.’ (127) ‘I just think that maybe there's a male ego thing involved a little bit, but the guys like to be with the guys. Not that they don't love women but they'd rather be in an all-male class…You can get away with anything that you want. If you make a mistake or if you do something that's a little embarrassing, it's not embarrassing when you're with other men because the same things happen to them, whereas in a mixed class they would probably feel uncomfortable.’ (38) | 29 (22) | Structured exercise: 27, 33, 34, 38, 66, 80, 83, 90, 100, 114, 119, 130, 132 Other types of physical activity: 49 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 7, 8, 17, 18, 26, 29, 65, 68, 73, 75–77, 85, 86, 127 |
| Encouragement from others | ‘My son told me that the only thing I should do now is taking good care of myself and exercising everyday. He bought a stationary bicycle for me to use at home.’(79) ‘The doctor said that I had to do exercises otherwise I would end up in a wheelchair, and I did the exercises, but I didn't really like it, it was hard. But he says if you don't do exercise you'll end up in a wheelchair, and if you hear the results of not doing it, you'd better do it!’ (120) | 82 (62) | Structured exercise: 3, 13, 16, 22, 24, 27, 33, 34, 39, 48, 50, 53, 55, 56, 58, 67, 74, 78, 88–90, 102, 106, 111, 112, 119, 120, 122, 124, 125, 130, 132 Other types of physical activity: 2, 21, 36, 37, 47, 49, 52, 54, 60, 69, 70, 98, 109, 113, 128 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 1, 8, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 28, 29, 31, 32, 40, 45, 46, 57, 62, 64, 65, 68, 71–73, 75, 77, 79, 84, 91, 94, 96, 108, 116, 121, 126, 127 |
| Dependence on professional instruction | ‘We would like a class here at the centre where everyone knows everyone else and feels comfortable…but we don’t have a leader and we need to know what’s safe for older people with different health problems.’ (15) ‘We have had good people teaching this. They had a super team and there isn't one of them who has not been nice to us you know and they're great, all of them have been super. It all helps doesn't it? If you get someone—an instructor—someone who you didn't like, he was bit nasty, you wouldn't want to come would you. When they are all so nice and welcoming they bring out the best in you, hopefully.’ (45) | 40 (30) | Structured exercise: 6, 16, 22, 27, 34, 35, 38, 41, 48, 56, 80, 83, 90, 100, 102, 103, 105, 111, 112, 114, 120, 124, 125, 130, 132 Other types of physical activity: 70 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 1, 11, 15, 29, 40, 45, 64, 68, 73, 85, 91, 94, 110, 127 |
| Physical limitations | |||
| Pain or discomfort | ‘I used to perform callisthenics every morning, but it resulted in muscle ache. It made me so uncomfortable. So, I stopped doing it. Maybe I am too old to be active. It seems that nothing is suitable for my growing old body.’ (26) ‘I had to stop a few times because it was too strenuous for me. Holding things up really tired my arms and I couldn't do it’. (12) | 45 (34) | Structured exercise: 3, 6, 13, 14, 16, 55, 56, 59, 61, 78, 80, 83, 92, 93, 95, 100, 102–105, 111, 131, 132 Other types of physical activity: 113 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 1, 11, 15, 17, 18, 26, 30, 31, 40, 68, 76, 79, 85, 86, 91, 94, 96, 97, 108, 121, 123 |
| Concerns about falling | ‘My ageing body degenerates. I even have the problem in keeping balance. It would be better not to do any physical activities. I could get injured.’ (26) ‘Yes it would motivate me [to perform exercise for fall prevention]…by falling it has frightened me and that prevented me going to do exercise because I thought I might fall again.’ (63) | 37 (28) | Structured exercise: 10, 22, 33, 58, 61, 63, 67, 78, 80, 93, 132 Other types of physical activity: 52, 54, 81, 82, 109, 113 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 8, 11, 12, 18, 26, 28–30, 40, 71, 73, 76, 79, 85, 94, 97, 108, 123, 126, 127 |
| Comorbidities | ‘Well to me it also helps to know that other people don't do stuff because of incontinence.’(85) ‘I have a real bad dizziness problem. It bothers me all the time. I feel uncomfortable, so I don't have the mood to participate in activities.’ (26) | 74 (56) | Structured exercise: 3, 13, 24, 25, 27, 33, 34, 39, 50, 53, 55, 59, 61, 63, 74, 78, 80, 83, 88, 92, 105, 106, 111, 117, 120, 122, 124, 131, 132 Other types of physical activity: 2, 21, 36, 37, 49, 54, 60, 69, 70, 109, 113, 129 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 1, 4, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 23, 28–32, 40, 46, 57, 64, 68, 71, 73, 75–77, 79, 85, 91, 94, 96, 97, 110, 121, 126, 127 |
| Competing priorities | ‘…and doing what I need to do for [husband]…he has plenty of appointments…so I've come to the conclusion that there isn't much time to do anything…you always put yourself second don't you?’ (34) ‘My day is busy I don't have time to be bored, and it's hard sometimes to coordinate and that's why I had to stop um classes because it was pick-up time to drive out there and (pick-up the grandchildren), so I have trouble trying to fit classes around duties.’ (68) | 53 (40) | Structured exercise: 3, 5, 13, 16, 22, 24, 34, 39, 42, 50, 53, 56, 67, 74, 78, 93, 102, 105, 119, 132 Other types of physical activity: 21, 49, 54, 70, 115, 129 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 1, 8, 11, 15, 17, 23, 28, 29, 30, 32, 40, 45, 65, 68, 71–73, 75, 77, 79, 85, 86, 94, 101, 121, 126, 127 |
| Access difficulties | |||
| Environmental barriers | ‘I hate to ask people that I know to drive me, and so even from here to there, it's a bitch. That's my first thought, how am I going to get there? Then I put it out of my mind because I cannot go.’ (19) ‘You see, the living space is very limited here. There are no places for me to perform physical activity. Most residents just like me, the only thing we can do is to sit the whole day and feel bored.’ (26) | 72 (55) | Structured exercise: 3, 10, 19, 22, 24, 27, 33, 34, 42, 48, 58, 61, 78, 83, 92, 93, 102, 106, 112, 114, 119, 120, 125, 130, 132 Other types of physical activity: 2, 36, 37, 47, 51, 52, 54, 69, 70, 81, 82, 87, 99, 113, 115 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 1, 4, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 18, 20, 26, 28, 29, 31, 57, 62, 64, 68, 71, 73, 75–77, 79, 84–86, 91, 94, 108, 110, 126, 127 |
| Affordability | ‘She [the physiotherapist] gave me an exercise programme. I use it every day…I would like to join a training centre in town, but with my income I have to look wistfully at that…’ (42) ‘I would like to be involved with all of us. You know, in, in one place…If we could afford it. Right now, I can't afford to go to the gym.’ (85) | 32 (24) | Structured exercise: 10, 22, 27, 34, 42, 58, 66, 67, 92, 102, 103, 105, 112, 114, 125 Other types of physical activity: 60, 70 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 7, 8, 17, 18, 28, 29, 31, 57, 68, 72, 85, 91, 96, 126, 127 |
| Personal benefits of exercise | |||
| Strength, balance and flexibility | ‘I chose to do it [exercise]…and I chose it because when I was going to start walking, after mostly sitting for a year, I didn't have any balance. I didn't want to remain sitting.’ (33) ‘I'm more contented with my own self. It's every time I've been and I walk back across that yard I feel that I've achieved something that I've got a little bit stronger I'm more flexible. I'm not a failure. That's the way I feel about it.’ (45) | 69 (52) | Structured exercise: 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19, 27, 33–35, 42–44, 55, 58, 59, 63, 66, 80, 83, 88, 92, 95, 100, 102–107, 111, 112, 117, 119, 120, 122, 124, 130–132 Other types of physical activity: 54, 60, 70Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 7, 8, 18, 23, 28–32, 40, 45, 57, 65, 68, 71, 76, 85, 94, 97, 101, 108, 110, 116, 121, 123 |
| Self-confidence | ‘But mainly, as I say, mainly to give you confidence. I mean as you get older you get scared especially if you fall over. I mean you think you're alright, then you don't, you know? And I mean most of the people there seemed to be pretty fit, reasonably fit, you know, but as I say, it's made a difference by um, or the main thing is giving you more confidence which is a really big thing, you know, a really big thing.’ (5) ‘Your self-confidence is reinforced when you come here. The sense of well-being and ability and you can do things. Sometimes I forget I'm 86 years old.’ (27) | 23 (17) | Structured exercise: 5, 27, 34, 35, 42, 56, 59, 80, 83, 88, 89, 100, 102, 114, 119, 131, 132 Other types of physical activity: 70 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 12, 28, 32, 65, 110 |
| Independence | ‘I was willing to do anything that would enable me to carry on living as I was at the time—independently—being able to do my shopping, looking after myself, that was a huge motivation.’ (132) ‘While I don't aspire to be long lived, I do aspire to stay on my feet for as long as I live…’ (36) | 26 (20) | Structured exercise: 27, 33, 35, 43, 50, 55, 58, 59, 95, 100, 120, 132 Other types of physical activity: 21, 36, 37, 54, 113 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 28, 65, 72, 75, 76, 86, 94, 110, 123 |
| Improved health and mental well-being | ‘Physical fitness keeps you mentally alert and helps you face the day better.’ (86) ‘I like my shape…I was a little bit chubby, and then I kept walking and then one time I saw myself in the mirror and I said, “My God, oh my God.” I said, I like the way I look, I am going to keep walking.’ (20) | 103 (78) | Structured exercise: 3, 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16, 22, 24, 27, 33–35, 39, 42, 43, 48, 50, 53, 56, 59, 67, 74, 80, 83, 88–90, 92, 100, 102, 103, 105–107, 111, 112, 114, 117, 119, 120, 122, 124, 125, 130–132 Other types of physical activity: 21, 36, 37, 49, 52, 54, 60, 69, 70, 87, 98, 109, 113, 118 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 1, 7–9, 11, 12, 15, 18, 20, 23, 28–32, 40, 45, 46, 57, 62, 65, 68, 71–73, 75–77, 79, 85, 86, 94, 96, 97, 101, 108, 110, 116, 121, 123, 126, 127 |
| Motivation and beliefs | |||
| Apathy | ‘I hate getting started. I just don't feel like it some days. Laziness!’ (78) ‘I know all the theory about keeping fit and healthy, and healthy heart and healthy eating and all the rest of it. Keeping as far you can this sort of the muscles in the body supple, so I know all the reasons to do that…It's not through lack of awareness it's just lack of inclination.’ (7) | 52 (40) | Structured exercise: 3, 5, 10, 13, 19, 22, 27, 33, 34, 41, 50, 53, 61, 67, 78, 80, 93, 112, 119, 132 Other types of physical activity: 37, 54, 69, 113 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 1, 7–9, 11, 15, 17, 18, 26, 28–32, 40, 46, 68, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 94, 97, 121, 123, 126, 127 |
| Irrelevance and inefficacy | ‘When you grow older, your health also becomes worse. It is a natural process and nothing can change it. I am quite old and I don't think physical activity is worthwhile.’ (26) ‘So really, in the back of your mind, it's always somebody had a fall and she has never really recovered…but to me that is 80s, I'm thinking that's well away.’(63) | 32 (24) | Structured exercise: 19, 42–44, 50, 55, 61, 63, 66, 67, 104, 106, 111, 112, 132 Other types of physical activity: 49, 54, 109, 129 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 7, 12, 26, 30–32, 40, 71, 75, 77, 85, 97, 127 |
| Maintaining habits | ‘I grew up on my grandmother's farm back in the 30s when there was a shortage of men. I was around things that had to be done and just got in the habit of doing them. I was always encouraged to be active-on the farm and in sports…These early experiences seem to have struck a pattern that has continued all these years!’ (72) ‘I never exercised before. Now, why should I start? My body will be totally confused if I start now!’(71) | 31 (24) | Other types of physical activity: 2, 21, 49, 60, 69, 98, 109, 129 Structured exercise: 27, 43, 50, 53, 105, 117, 124, 132 Structured exercise and other types of physical activity: 7, 11, 17, 26, 28, 31, 40, 68, 71, 72, 77, 97, 101, 121, 127 |
*Details of the bibliographic references reported in this table are available in the online supplemental material. References for each subtheme were categorised by type of activity.