Exploring Older Adult’s Views of the Age-Inclusivity of Physical Activity Websites Using the Think Aloud Method: Qualitative Analysis
Abstract BackgroundOlder adults are the least active in our society and may face additional barriers to taking part in physical activity compared with those experienced by younger people because of factors such as lower digital literacy and negative stereotypes of aging....
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| Format: | Article |
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JMIR Publications
2025-06-01
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| Series: | JMIR Aging |
| Online Access: | https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e68951 |
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| author | Veda Clemson Elisabeth Grey Julie Barnett Ella Burfitt Fiona Gillison |
| author_facet | Veda Clemson Elisabeth Grey Julie Barnett Ella Burfitt Fiona Gillison |
| author_sort | Veda Clemson |
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Abstract
BackgroundOlder adults are the least active in our society and may face additional barriers to taking part in physical activity compared with those experienced by younger people because of factors such as lower digital literacy and negative stereotypes of aging.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore how older adults navigate websites that provide access to physical activity opportunities and facilities and make judgments about their suitability.
MethodsSemistructured interviews were embedded within a think-aloud approach. Participants were shown a series of websites and asked to navigate through the websites as if they were going to take up what was on offer, articulating their thoughts and comments out loud as they progressed. Participants viewed up to 4 websites, rotated from a pool of 8, including leisure centers, exercise products, gyms, or community organizations. Additional questions were asked about perceptions of the inclusivity of the websites at the end of the interview. Digital recordings were made and transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
ResultsNineteen participants (6 male and 13 female) aged between 65 and 84 years were recruited from southern England; one-third reported having poor digital ability prior to taking part. Three overarching themes relating to the research question were identified as follows: (1) signals of age-inclusivity, (2) limiting beliefs, and (3) confidence in making judgments. Older adults inferred a lot of information about how welcome they would be in physical activity settings from the images and language used on websites. They showed a preference for imagery that was inclusive of age, body shape, and physical ability, not only for those depicting older adults themselves. Some adults reported firm views about the type and intensity of physical activity that is appropriate for older adults, and many expressed a specific dislike of gyms, based on both the (young) age of most users and perceived emphasis towards aesthetic rather than health-related exercise. While most participants could navigate websites successfully, they preferred to visit venues and speak to staff to gain greater confidence that they would feel welcome and that the activities would be at a suitable level.
ConclusionsWebsites providing access to physical activity could be more inclusive of older adults by using more diverse imagery, providing clearer descriptions of the activities on offer, along with details of the level of fitness or ability needed to take part, and providing alternatives to web-based booking. Additional societal-level approaches to reducing age-limiting self-stereotyping may also be useful in expanding the opportunities for older adults to access mainstream provisions for physical activity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-68718b839aeb4c26a4e0213ec229f035 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2561-7605 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Aging |
| spelling | doaj-art-68718b839aeb4c26a4e0213ec229f0352025-08-20T03:29:53ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Aging2561-76052025-06-018e68951e6895110.2196/68951Exploring Older Adult’s Views of the Age-Inclusivity of Physical Activity Websites Using the Think Aloud Method: Qualitative AnalysisVeda Clemsonhttp://orcid.org/0009-0005-9255-272XElisabeth Greyhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-9719-9690Julie Barnetthttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5740-0863Ella Burfitthttp://orcid.org/0009-0007-8817-0539Fiona Gillisonhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6461-7638 Abstract BackgroundOlder adults are the least active in our society and may face additional barriers to taking part in physical activity compared with those experienced by younger people because of factors such as lower digital literacy and negative stereotypes of aging. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore how older adults navigate websites that provide access to physical activity opportunities and facilities and make judgments about their suitability. MethodsSemistructured interviews were embedded within a think-aloud approach. Participants were shown a series of websites and asked to navigate through the websites as if they were going to take up what was on offer, articulating their thoughts and comments out loud as they progressed. Participants viewed up to 4 websites, rotated from a pool of 8, including leisure centers, exercise products, gyms, or community organizations. Additional questions were asked about perceptions of the inclusivity of the websites at the end of the interview. Digital recordings were made and transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultsNineteen participants (6 male and 13 female) aged between 65 and 84 years were recruited from southern England; one-third reported having poor digital ability prior to taking part. Three overarching themes relating to the research question were identified as follows: (1) signals of age-inclusivity, (2) limiting beliefs, and (3) confidence in making judgments. Older adults inferred a lot of information about how welcome they would be in physical activity settings from the images and language used on websites. They showed a preference for imagery that was inclusive of age, body shape, and physical ability, not only for those depicting older adults themselves. Some adults reported firm views about the type and intensity of physical activity that is appropriate for older adults, and many expressed a specific dislike of gyms, based on both the (young) age of most users and perceived emphasis towards aesthetic rather than health-related exercise. While most participants could navigate websites successfully, they preferred to visit venues and speak to staff to gain greater confidence that they would feel welcome and that the activities would be at a suitable level. ConclusionsWebsites providing access to physical activity could be more inclusive of older adults by using more diverse imagery, providing clearer descriptions of the activities on offer, along with details of the level of fitness or ability needed to take part, and providing alternatives to web-based booking. Additional societal-level approaches to reducing age-limiting self-stereotyping may also be useful in expanding the opportunities for older adults to access mainstream provisions for physical activity.https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e68951 |
| spellingShingle | Veda Clemson Elisabeth Grey Julie Barnett Ella Burfitt Fiona Gillison Exploring Older Adult’s Views of the Age-Inclusivity of Physical Activity Websites Using the Think Aloud Method: Qualitative Analysis JMIR Aging |
| title | Exploring Older Adult’s Views of the Age-Inclusivity of Physical Activity Websites Using the Think Aloud Method: Qualitative Analysis |
| title_full | Exploring Older Adult’s Views of the Age-Inclusivity of Physical Activity Websites Using the Think Aloud Method: Qualitative Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Exploring Older Adult’s Views of the Age-Inclusivity of Physical Activity Websites Using the Think Aloud Method: Qualitative Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring Older Adult’s Views of the Age-Inclusivity of Physical Activity Websites Using the Think Aloud Method: Qualitative Analysis |
| title_short | Exploring Older Adult’s Views of the Age-Inclusivity of Physical Activity Websites Using the Think Aloud Method: Qualitative Analysis |
| title_sort | exploring older adult s views of the age inclusivity of physical activity websites using the think aloud method qualitative analysis |
| url | https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e68951 |
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