Qualitative study explores barriers and facilitators to physical activity in older Latino adults

This qualitative descriptive study explored the perceptions, barriers, and facilitators regarding sedentary behaviors and physical activity among 38 Latino mid-life and older adults from Chicago. The participants had previously been enrolled in a randomized controlled trial called the Physical Activity Program to Disrupt Sedentary Time in Older Latinos, an individualized intervention designed to replace sedentary behavior with physical activity. The study did not report on a comparator group, primary outcome, follow-up duration, or safety and tolerability data.

The analysis revealed several new barriers to reducing sedentary time, which emerged around age, finances, and technology. New facilitators included adapting exercise to one's needs, the use of Fitbits, and the perceived feasibility of physical activity. Participants also began to connect both sedentary behavior and physical activity to cognitive function, discussed behavior changes related to the intervention, and often shared the intervention's information with their community. New categories characterizing participants' underlying needs included accessible facilities and education, while categories for knowledge and attitudes related to sedentary behavior and physical activity were also identified.

Key limitations include the small sample size of 38 participants and the lack of reported safety data or adverse events. The study design is qualitative and descriptive, meaning it identifies themes and perceptions but cannot establish efficacy or causality. The practice relevance suggests that feasibility, accessibility, and awareness may play important roles in reducing sedentary behavior for this population, and the intervention shows promise for impacting knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. However, these findings require confirmation in larger, quantitative studies.