Evaluation of Effective Motivators and Barriers of Physical Activity in the Elderly

The purpose of this study was to determine barriers andmotivators of physical activity in older adults. In this cross sectional study 153 older adults wereparticipated through classified randomized clustering method. Thequestionnaires were completed in face to face interview. Descriptivestatistics and U Mann Whitney test were used to analyzing data. Main motivators of physical activity were: independence, selfefficiency, prevention of fatigue, purchasing, sense of authority andnecessity of exercise for elderly that all of them are health related factors.Main barriers were chronic disease, handicap and pain. Men show highergrade in recreational, physical environment and social factor as motivator (Pvalue in orderly 0.000, 0.003 and 0.022). Women have greater barrier inhealth related factor and social environment (P value in orderly 0.000 and0.022). Based on our findings, the best way for extension of physicalactivity is introducing their effect on physical, mental and cognitive health.For reducing barriers the most important plan is presenting elderly specificexercise programs with experts.