Promoting exercise adherence among older adults: An evidence-based process model from Singapore

Singapore is aging rapidly. While the average life expectancy has increased to 85 years, the unhealthy lifespan remains high at 10.5 years in the later stages of life. Exercise adherence plays a significant role in improving the health span and functional abilities of older adults. Against this backdrop, this study aimed to uncover the strategies employed by older adults through the exercise adherence process in Singapore. The study employed the constructivist grounded theory strategy – the qualitative research method adopting symbolic interactionism as its theoretical framework within the interpretivist research paradigm. The primary data sources were in-depth semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations of 30 older adults of diverse demographics who regularly participated in group community exercises. From the analysis, self-agency emerged as the central proposition of the theory generated. The developed theory, comprising three phases of awakening, acclimatization, and activation, provides a systematic, process-oriented model to guide relevant practitioners tasked with promoting exercise adherence among older adults.