Negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing: a grounded theory study of older persons’ experiences of participating in high-intensity interval training
Abstract Background 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’ exper...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05635-5 |
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| author | Helena Fridberg Maria Wiklund Fredrik Snellman Erik Rosendahl Mattias Hedlund Carl-Johan Boraxbekk Nina Lindelöf |
| author_facet | Helena Fridberg Maria Wiklund Fredrik Snellman Erik Rosendahl Mattias Hedlund Carl-Johan Boraxbekk Nina Lindelöf |
| author_sort | Helena Fridberg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusions 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-41fd8756e79a46fca4dd5a36b5dccd77 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-41fd8756e79a46fca4dd5a36b5dccd772025-01-05T12:45:23ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-01-0125111610.1186/s12877-024-05635-5Negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing: a grounded theory study of older persons’ experiences of participating in high-intensity interval trainingHelena Fridberg0Maria Wiklund1Fredrik Snellman2Erik Rosendahl3Mattias Hedlund4Carl-Johan Boraxbekk5Nina Lindelöf6Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå UniversityCommunity Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå UniversityDepartment of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, Umeå UniversityCommunity Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå UniversityCommunity Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå UniversityInstitute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of CopenhagenCommunity Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå UniversityAbstract Background 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusions 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05635-5Older peoplePhysical activityExerciseHigh-intensity intervalsQualitative researchAgeism |
| spellingShingle | Helena Fridberg Maria Wiklund Fredrik Snellman Erik Rosendahl Mattias Hedlund Carl-Johan Boraxbekk Nina Lindelöf Negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing: a grounded theory study of older persons’ experiences of participating in high-intensity interval training BMC Geriatrics Older people Physical activity Exercise High-intensity intervals Qualitative research Ageism |
| title | Negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing: a grounded theory study of older persons’ experiences of participating in high-intensity interval training |
| title_full | Negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing: a grounded theory study of older persons’ experiences of participating in high-intensity interval training |
| title_fullStr | Negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing: a grounded theory study of older persons’ experiences of participating in high-intensity interval training |
| title_full_unstemmed | Negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing: a grounded theory study of older persons’ experiences of participating in high-intensity interval training |
| title_short | Negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing: a grounded theory study of older persons’ experiences of participating in high-intensity interval training |
| title_sort | negotiating a physically active life in tune with ageing a grounded theory study of older persons experiences of participating in high intensity interval training |
| topic | Older people Physical activity Exercise High-intensity intervals Qualitative research Ageism |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05635-5 |
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