Abstract
Purpose : To understand the factors associated with the initiation and maintenance of strength training among older people, a qualitative approach would be useful. The purpose of the present study was to explore the initiation processes involved in strength training, and the facilitators and barriers to maintain strength training among people aged 60-74 years.
Methods : Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 members of a sports club. The interview consisted of questions related to initiation processes, facilitators, and barriers of strength training. Transcripts of the interviews were reviewed and categorizations were conducted.
Results : The initiation processes consisted of “coping with physical inactivity or health problems,” “encouragement from others,” “increase in leisure time,” “feeling good program,” “interests in physical activity,” and “enjoyment of other sports,” The common categories between facilitators and barriers were “physical factors,” “psychological factors,” “social factors,” and “environmental factors.” In addition, “daily life factors” and “other factors” were categorized as facilitators, and “uncontrollable factors” were categorized as barriers.
Discussion : These results indicate that 1) the initiation of strength training would be associated with interests in health problems and physical activity, increase of leisure time, encouragement from others, or presence of a good program, and that 2) the maintenance of strength training would be associated with environmental factors and daily life factors as well as physical and psychosocial factors.
