Exercise habits and preferences of community dwelling older adults with chronic pain: an exploratory study

Introduction: This study explored the exercise habits of community-dwelling older adults with chronic pain, examining the relationship between pain, physical activity, daily life impacts, and psychological effects. Method: The study was conducted through a cross-sectional approach and semi-structured interviews with five participants aged fifty and above. Result: The findings revealed that exercise participation among those with chronic pain was significantly lower than in the non-pain participants, particularly for those exercising more than three times weekly (p = 0.012). Hypertension (59.64%) and arthritis (39.32%) were common among the respondents. Pain was predominantly reported in the lower back, legs, shoulders, and arms, severely affecting quality of life. Additionally, anxiety and depression were increasingly prevalent in this population, presenting greater challenges than financial constraints or lack of motivation. Lower impact exercises like walking were more doable, and social support and a good environment increased exercise engagement. Conclusions: We determined that interventions for older adults with chronic pain should address both physiological and psychological factors to boost exercise participation. This research emphasizes feasible exercise types and key factors to enhance engagement. Future research should focus on developing targeted intervention programs that incorporate these findings to improve the quality of life for this population.