Entendiendo los factores que motivan e impiden la participación de las personas adultas mayores en actividad física en centros diurnos Heredianos

The study explored the perception that older adults in Heredia day centers about the factors that influence and prevent participation in physical activity. Participants: A sample was used by criteria of six subjects for each of the five participating centers, three of the female gender and three of the male gender, all are physically active since they have three times a week attendance to the program, they also have a stay greater than a year and a half at the center. Procedures: Data collection will be done through focus groups with eight semi-structured questions, according to the Ecological Model. Analysis: A preliminary analysis of the information will be carried out through the qualitative analysis model of the Grounded Theory. In this way, the data will be coded through three instances proposed by the model: open, axial and selective coding. In addition to this, a triangulation of data will be done using data sources, theories, and researchers. Results: the enjoyment of participating in the program and the social support generated in the environment of physical activity classes, was perceived as the main motivating factors. On the contrary, the fear of suffering an injury and lack of other sources or programs was perceived as barriers to get more involved in physical activity. As a conclusion, this study has shown that the elements perceived by older adults to carry out physical activity include the motivation generated by enjoyment, positive self-efficacy and the structure of social support among the participants, not to mention the positive modeling of the instructors in the centers. daytime: At the same time, the barriers that reduce the participation of older adults are the fear of suffering an injury, lack of support or overprotection in the family environment. El estudio exploró la percepción que tienen las personas adultas mayores de los centros diurnos de Heredia, sobre los factores que influyen e impiden la participación en la actividad física. Participantes: Se utilizó una muestra por criterio de seis participantes por cada uno de los cinco centros, tres del género femenino y tres del género masculino. Todas las personas participantes son físicamente activas, ya que cuentan con una asistencia de tres veces por semana al programa, además tienen una permanencia mayor al año y medio en el centro. Procedimientos: Se realizó una recolección de datos mediante grupos focales con ocho preguntas semiestructuradas, de acuerdo con el modelo ecológico.