Social Support to Enhance Social Participation and Physical Literacy in Older Adults

This series of studies examined social support that older adults need and/or receive to participate in group physical activity programs, support they receive from those groups, and social barriers for participating.

Social Support to Enhance Social Participation and Physical Literacy in Older Adults

More information about this project

The purpose of this research was to understand what socially supportive behaviours help adults age 55 and older engage in group physical activity.

We examined the social support needs, challenges, and experiences of adults age 55 and older who are and are not currently engaged in recreational group physical activity programs. The perspectives of recreation practitioners and key stakeholders working with older adults were also gathered regarding social support needs of older adults, programmatic and community opportunities and challenges, and ways of supporting vulnerable older adults. 

This series of studies was funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Insight Grant. 

Experiences with social participation in group physical activity programs for older adults

Zimmer, C., McDonough, M. H., Hewson, J., Toohey, A., Din, C., Crocker, P. R. E., & Bennett, E. V. (2021). Experiences with social participation in group physical activity programs for older adults. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 43(4), 335-344. doi:10.1123/jsep.2020-0335

Social support among older adults in group physical activity programs

This study examined older adults' social participation experiences in group physical activity programs.

Zimmer, C., McDonough, M. H., Hewson, J., Toohey, A. M., Din, C., Crocker, P. R. E., & Bennett, E. V. (2022). Social support among older adults in group physical activity programs. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 35(4), 658-679. doi:10.1080/10413200.2022.2055223

Older adults' experiences with social support from group exercise instructors

This study examined social support from fitness instructors among older adults taking part in group physical activity programs.

Morrison, L., McDonough, M. H., Zimmer, C., Din, C., Hewson, J., Toohey, A., Crocker, P. R. E., & Bennett, E. V. (2023). Instructor Social Support in the Group Physical Activity Context: Older Participants' Perspectives. Journal of aging and physical activity, 1–11. Advance online publication. doi.org/10.1123/japa.2022-0140 

Social supports and barriers for older adults not currently participating in group physical activity

This study examined the social support needs of inactive older adults, and social barriers that may prevent their participation in group physical activity.

Morrison, L., McDonough, M. H., Hewson, J., Toohey, A., Din, C., & Kenny, S. J. (2023). Social Supports and Barriers for Older Adults Not Participating in Group Physical Activity. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2022-0156.