A Person-Centered Perspective on Physical Activity-Related Barriers Perceived by Male Fluctuators 50 Plus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Strobl, Helmut and Herrmann-Johns, Anne and Loss, Julika and Hable, Robert and Tittlbach, Susanne (2023) A Person-Centered Perspective on Physical Activity-Related Barriers Perceived by Male Fluctuators 50 Plus: A Cross-Sectional Study. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MENS HEALTH, 17 (5): 1557988323. ISSN 1557-9883, 1557-9891

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Abstract

Men aged 50 or older (50 plus) represent a hard-to-reach target group for health-enhancing physical activity (PA) interventions. However, a considerable percentage of men 50 plus do not entirely fail to achieve the PA milestones set by the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. They show fluctuating PA behavior, influenced by various barriers hindering or preventing regular PA participation. As "one-size-fits-all" behavioral change interventions are only partially effective in specific subgroups, it is essential to tailor PA promotion measures to the particular needs of male fluctuators 50 plus. The standardized questionnaire included validated instruments measuring participants' current stage of behavioral change, their perceived barriers to PA, questions on selected psychosocial correlates of PA, and sociodemographic variables. Out of 1,013 participants, 133 men (13.1%) classified themselves as fluctuators. Using a person-centered approach, we formed groups with similar intra-individual relevant barrier profiles using hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward method) followed by k-means clustering. We identified four clusters. Cluster 1 (n = 31) involves men predominantly perceiving physical constraints. Cluster 2 (n = 33) represents men lacking self-motivation and struggling with their weaker selves. Men in Cluster 3 (n = 51) primarily indicate professional and private obligations that prevent them from being physically active. Finally, men in Cluster 4 (n = 18) miss appropriate sports courses that meet their individual needs. Our findings support identifying individually tailored strategies designed to promote regular PA in male fluctuators 50 plus. Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of this approach in improving adherence to PA guidelines and corresponding health-enhancing effects for men 50 plus.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: EXERCISE; BEHAVIOR; PARTICIPATION; INTERVENTIONS; OUTCOMES; GENDER; stages of change; health promotion; cluster analysis; gender; men
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Divisions: Medicine > Institut für Epidemiologie und Präventivmedizin > Medical Sociology
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 16 Mar 2024 13:13
Last Modified: 16 Mar 2024 13:13
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/60198

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