Why I Get Up Off My Butt: Older Adults’ Motives to Limit Their Sedentary Behavior

Abstract

Older adults spend more time, on average, engaged in sedentary behaviors (SBs) compared with younger cohorts. This is concerning, because prolonged SB is associated with detrimental outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the degree to which older adults’ motives to limit their SB were internalized, consistent with self-determination theory. Following the qualitative description approach, seven focus groups (n = 27) of community-dwelling older adults were conducted. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and coded using a thematic approach. Results revealed some motivation subthemes, which appeared to endorse similar content, varied in the degree to which participants internalized them, differentiating these motives along the self-determination theory motivational continuum. These findings demonstrated that not all motives are equal, highlighting the importance of theory-driven future SB interventions.