Requirements for (web-based) physical activity interventions targeting adults above the age of 65 years - qualitative results regarding acceptance and needs of participants and non-participants.
BACKGROUND
It remains unclear how physical activity (PA) interventions need to be designed to reach older adults and to be widely accepted in this target group. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptance of a web-based PA program, including individual intervention components as well as relevant contextual factors, and to specify requirements for future interventions.


METHODS
Two hundred sixty-six participants of a PA intervention completed a questionnaire covering individual program components (content, structure, and context). Further, 25 episodic guided interviews focusing on reasons for (non-) participation were conducted with 8 participants and 17 non-participants. Following qualitative content analysis, different requirements were identified and organized based on the social-ecological model, resulting in a profile of requirements.


RESULTS
Based on the participants' and non-participants' statements, six different levels of requirements affecting acceptance of and successful participation in a web-based PA intervention were identified. The individual fit was influenced by an interaction of different factors at the intrapersonal, sociocultural, content, spatial, digital and organizational levels. Several age- and gender-specific requirements were noted in the interviewed older adults. Men and women, as well as younger (< 70 years) and older (≥70 years) adults differed in terms of perceived enjoyment and benefits of socializing while exercising together, the time expenditure perceived to be acceptable, previous digital skills, as well as in perceptions that ambience and accessibility of exercise facilities in the neighborhood were important.


CONCLUSIONS
To motivate older adults to engage in PA and address different needs in terms of life circumstances and quality of life as well as differences in technical affinity, different requirement profiles should be included in the process of intervention development and implementation. Participatory development loops and modular offer formats are recommended for this.
['Wichmann|Frauke|F|http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5848-7200', 'Pischke|Claudia R|CR|', 'Jürgens|Dorothee|D|', 'Darmann-Finck|Ingrid|I|', 'Koppelin|Frauke|F|', 'Lippke|Sonia|S|', 'Pauls|Alexander|A|', 'Peters|Manuela|M|', 'Voelcker-Rehage|Claudia|C|', 'Muellmann|Saskia|S|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D001290:Attitude D003201:Computers D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D006297:Health Services Accessibility D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand D006299:Health Services for the Aged D006801:Humans D020407:Internet D008297:Male D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care D044382:Population Groups D036301:Qualitative Research D011788:Quality of Life D012111:Residence Characteristics D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Requirements Web-based Physical activity Acceptance Older adults Social-ecological model Implementation Prevention