Determinants of physical inactivity among older adults in rural atlantic Canada

The purpose of this proposed program of research is to examine the nature of leisure-time physical activity among older adults in rural Atlantic Canada. Part of the difficulty with assessing environmental influences on physical activity is that expertise in multiple behaviours, disciplines, and methods is required. Thus, the primary goal of this proposal is to assemble a team of researchers and community collaborators (e.g., recreation programmers, representatives of provincial government agencies) who have the requisite skills and knowledge who can then develop research proposals addressing physical activity promotion for older adults in rural Atlantic Canada. The proposed project will address three broad activities. Specifically, (1) a systematic and critical review of the literature will be conducted examining the determinants/correlates of physical activity among older adults living in rural areas, (2) three pilot studies will be conducted based upon the learnings from the review of literature; and finally, (3) a symposium will be convened including the research team, collaborators, and policy experts from the Atlantic Canada region.