Exercise class participation among residents in low-level residential aged care could be enhanced: a qualitative study

Question: What do residents in low-level residential care perceive as motivators and barriers to participating in exercise classes at the facility? Design: Qualitative study using focus groups. Participants: Residents, nursing staff and allied health staff of a low-level residential care facility. Results: Key motivators for residents to attend the exercise classes included personal benefits, such as improved health and opportunities to socialise, and the support and encouragement that they received from family members and health professionals. The barriers to participating in the exercise classes included: health issues like pain, incontinence, and hearing impairments; external constraints such as the location of the classes and the early morning time; and internal constraints associated with a lack of knowledge about the classes and the benefits of exercising. While the key themes that arose from this study are consistent with findings from studies of community-dwelling adults, several of the barrier subthemes were unique. Conclusion: Recommendations from our findings to enhance exercise class participation include careful consideration of: class scheduling; class location; social aspects associated with exercise classes; support of social networks and health providers; health issues perceived to limit exercise; and marketing of classes.