BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION IN OLDER ADULTS: A TURKİYE-USA COMPARISON

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dc.authorid0000-0003-4551-9562
dc.contributor.authorSahin, Gulsah
dc.contributor.authorMeng, Hongdao
dc.contributor.authorDobbs, Debra
dc.contributor.authorYalcin, Ebru
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-03T12:00:08Z
dc.date.available2026-02-03T12:00:08Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentÇanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractIntroduction: Although physical activity is a key component of healthy aging, engagement levels among older adults are influenced by sociocultural, economic, and environmental factors that vary across countries. This study aimed to compare these barriers and facilitators of physical activity participation among American and Turkish older adults. Materials and Method: Data were collected from 128 older adults (64 per country), aged >= 65 years and older, through structured interviews and surveys conducted in parks and senior activity centers in Turkiye, and Florida, United States. The San Diego Health and Exercise Questionnaire and the Structured Interview Questions on Physical Activity Participation Factors were utilized to assess participation patterns and influencing factors. A mixed-methods research design was employed; qualitative data from interviews were analyzed using content analysis, and cross-country differences in questionnaire responses were assessed using the chi-squared test. Results: Turkish participants reported significantly higher psychological (chi(2) =15.7-42.5, p<0.001), individual (chi(2)=3.9-8.4, p<0.05), social (chi(2)=20.2-52.5, p<0.001) and environmental (chi(2)=27.2-34.2, p<0.001) barriers compared to their American older adults. Structured interviews result further showed that social pressure (chi(2)= 8.5-39.2, p<0.001), gender influence (chi(2)=7.3-66.0, p<0.05) had more pronounced effects on Turkish older adults. Additionally, Turkish participants reported limited access to exercise facilities and insufficient support(p<0.05). Conclusion: Older adults in Turkiye face more pronounced sociocultural and infrastructural barriers to physical activity compared with their counterparts in the United States. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive reforms in education, economic investment, and cultural awareness. Without targeted and sustainable interventions, opportunities for active aging will remain limited. Culturally informed strategies are essential to promote equitable access to physical activity and to enhance the overall health and well-being of older adults in Turkiye.
dc.description.sponsorshipScientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK) , Science Fellowships
dc.description.sponsorshipThis study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK), Science Fellowships, and the Grant Program Directorate.
dc.identifier.doi10.29400/tjgeri.2025.467
dc.identifier.endpage511
dc.identifier.issn1304-2947
dc.identifier.issn1307-9948
dc.identifier.issue4
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105027749875
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ4
dc.identifier.startpage502
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.29400/tjgeri.2025.467
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12428/34528
dc.identifier.volume28
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001655849800008
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ4
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherTurkish Geriatrics Soc
dc.relation.ispartofTurkish Journal of Geriatrics-Turk Geriatri Dergisi
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20260130
dc.subjectAging
dc.subjectExercise
dc.subjectSocial Support
dc.subjectEnvironment
dc.subjectCulture
dc.subjectMotivation
dc.titleBARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION IN OLDER ADULTS: A TURKİYE-USA COMPARISON
dc.typeArticle

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