Embodied navigation: the influence of lived experience on physical activity and sedentary behavior among older adults

Abstract

Purpose The impact of a sedentary lifestyle on health and well-being is well recognized. However, there is limited understanding of how a lifetime of physical activity and sedentary behaviour influences an active lifestyle in older adults. The aim of this study was to describe how lived experience of physical activity and sedentary behaviour impacts daily activities among older adults, from a life course perspective. Methods Qualitative content analysis was used; individual telephone interviews were conducted with fourteen older adults aged 71 to 92 years. The participants received initial support from community care and lived in ordinary housing in southern Sweden. Results The interviews yielded one theme, “Navigating with an embodied activity compass,” and two sub-themes: “Being guided by the past” and “Unveiling pathways through body awareness.” Conclusions Our study highlights how older adults’ lived experiences of physical activity, with their connections to body awareness and acceptance, impact daily physical activity. These findings offer new knowledge for clinical practitioners balancing recommendations of sedentary behaviour and physical activity, to promote healthy daily physical activity among older adults. Future research and policies should consider the lived experiences of older adults when addressing public health matters related to sedentary behaviour and physical activity.

Keywords

• acceptance
• body awareness
• healthy ageing
• life course perspective
• lived experience
• physical activity
• sedentary behaviour