Fridberg Helena, Wiklund Maria, Snellman Fredrik, Rosendahl Erik, Hedlund Mattias, Boraxbekk Carl-Johan, Lindelöf Nina
Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
BMC Geriatr. 2025 Jan 4;25(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-05635-5.
Physical activity and exercise are promoted worldwide as effective interventions for healthy ageing. Various exercise initiatives have been developed and evaluated for their efficacy and effectiveness among older populations. However, a deeper understanding of participants' experiences with these initiatives is crucial to foster long-term activity and exercise among older persons.
A constructivist grounded theory study was conducted to explore the experiences of older persons participating in a supervised group supramaximal high-intensity training (HIT) programme. Four focus groups were held, involving 28 persons aged 65 to 78. The focus groups were analysed inductively, followed by an iterative process of abstraction, abduction, and theory generation using a constant comparative method. A conceptual framework comprising three theoretical concepts-stereotype embodiment, ageist practices, and self-efficacy-was employed during the abductive phase as an analytical lens.
The core category of our grounded theory, Negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing, encapsulates the complex processes and actions influencing older persons as they engage in physical activities in their daily lives and in relation to HIT. This core category was created from the conceptual framework and the four categories: Grit in the moment and overall life, Empowered by the training group, Navigating one's physically active self, and Committing to exercise for duty and pleasure. Participants reported feeling invigorated by the exercise, enjoying the challenge, and valuing the group setup for its social connectedness and structure. The generated theory illustrates how participants' engagement with physical activity and exercise is shaped by various perspectives accumulated over their lifespan. The findings provide a plausible explanation of how participation in HIT groups can challenge negative age stereotypes and ageist practices while enhancing self-efficacy for high-intensity exercise.
Our grounded theory underscores that physical activity and exercise should be regarded as multifaceted processes, which must be considered when promoting physical activity initiatives for older persons. By considering the older person and societal norms and values, we can gather knowledge to design physical exercise interventions that are not only effective but also enjoyable and capable of transforming how individuals perceive themselves as exercising persons.
在全球范围内，身体活动和锻炼被视作促进健康老龄化的有效干预措施。针对老年人群体，人们已开展了各种锻炼计划，并对其功效和效果进行了评估。然而，深入了解参与者对这些计划的体验对于促进老年人长期的身体活动和锻炼至关重要。
开展了一项建构主义扎根理论研究，以探索老年人参与有监督的小组超最大强度高强度训练（HIT）计划的体验。共举行了四个焦点小组，参与人员为28名年龄在65至78岁之间的老年人。对焦点小组进行归纳分析，随后采用持续比较法，经过抽象、外推和理论生成的迭代过程。在外推阶段，使用了一个包含三个理论概念——刻板印象体现、年龄歧视行为和自我效能感——的概念框架作为分析视角。
我们扎根理论的核心类别“顺应衰老，协商积极的身体生活”，概括了影响老年人在日常生活中参与身体活动以及参与HIT时的复杂过程和行为。这个核心类别源自概念框架以及以下四个类别：当下和整个人生的坚毅、从训练小组中获得力量、塑造积极运动的自我、为了责任和乐趣而坚持锻炼。参与者报告称，锻炼让他们感到精力充沛，享受挑战，并重视小组设置所带来的社交联系和结构。生成的理论阐释了参与者对身体活动和锻炼的参与是如何受到其一生中积累的各种观念影响的。研究结果为参与HIT小组如何能够挑战负面年龄刻板印象和年龄歧视行为，同时增强高强度锻炼的自我效能感提供了合理的解释。
我们的扎根理论强调，身体活动和锻炼应被视为多方面的过程，在为老年人推广身体活动计划时必须予以考虑。通过考虑老年人以及社会规范和价值观，我们可以积累知识，设计出不仅有效，而且有趣，并能够改变个体对自己作为运动者认知的体育锻炼干预措施。
