Understanding Physical Activity Differences Among Older Adults: Validating a Proposed Typology of Physical Activity as a Tool to Increase Physical Activity by Older Adults

OBJECTIVE: Being physically active as one ages benefits both physical and mental health and remains a public health need. A typology to understand older adults’ PA level and intentions can be vital to developing strategies to promote PA. METHODS: The researchers developed a comprehensive interview guide and interviewed adults 50 years and older (n=232) to test the validity of the four-type typology (1). Frail, (2). Ambivalent, (3). Aspiring, (4). Active). RESULTS: The Kruskal–Wallis test and the Bonferonni post hoc analysis indicated that there were significant differences between types and for each PA category measured, revealing a continuum of PA levels by type and confirmed the four types within this continuum. DISCUSSION: The validated typology and the associated tool can be used to identify and implement built environment improvements and interventions aimed to support PA needs of older adults.