Motivation for Brazilian Older Adult Women to Join a Community Physical Activity Program Before COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors can affect the levels of adherence of physical activity (PA) during the aging process. Objectives: Investigate the intrinsic and extrinsic aspects and motivation that led older women to enroll in and adhere to a community PA program before the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were collected via transversal survey before the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 21 women, participants of a PA workshop, aged between 60 to 86 years [< 1-year (n = 8) and ≥ 1-year (n = 13) groups]. Motivation was assessed by the Motivation Inventory for Regular Physical Activity Practice (IMPRAF-54), using the 60th percentile to categorize high and low motivation, and two open questions. For qualitative assessment, content analysis was used and the answers were framed into subcategories regarding the motivation factors for adherence and permanence. Results: That adherence to the program was motivated by sociability purposes [total score: 36.0 (6.0), median (interquartile range)] and pleasure [34.0; (6.0)], while the main motivation for permanence was health [40.0 (11.0)]. Differences were noticed between the groups for sociability [38.0 (3.0) P = 0.030] and competitiveness [9.50 (12.0); P = 0.037] highest medians for the < 1 year group. Furthermore, the factors that least motivated older women were competitiveness and aesthetics. Conclusions: Health and sociability were the main motivators for the practice of physical activity among older adult women. Motivation played a fundamental role in the permanence of older adult women in the physical activity program.