A Research Proposal on Physical Activity and Health of Older Adults

This research proposal investigates the connection between physical activities and health promotion among older adults, aiming to raise awareness about the benefits of exercise and identify barriers hindering participation. The study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing literature reviews and content analysis of relevant articles and books sourced from databases like Google Scholar, SAGE, and EBSCO host. The expected outcomes include outlining the advantages of physical activity in preventing diseases, enhancing functionality and mobility, and promoting social and psychological well-being. The proposal also addresses internal and external factors that impede older adults from engaging in physical activities, such as loneliness, fear of falling, environmental conditions, and the aging process itself. By exploring these aspects, the research seeks to inform interventions that encourage increased participation in physical activity, ultimately improving the health and quality of life for the elderly population.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1
Research proposal
Institution
Student
Course
Date

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Physical Activities among the Older People: Benefits and Barriers
Background
The old people communal group population is generally big in and increasing owing to
development of technology and healthcare education. This population encounters many physical,
social and psychological and role transformation that significantly dispute their sense of
belonging and capability to lead a better life. Physical dysfunction has deeply influenced the
elderly in our society these days and the necessity for dependency has steadily augmented (Rose,
2018). However after the inception to Gerontechnology in the 21st century, technology has
certainly enhanced and protracted the self independency of the seniors. People are having a
longer life expectancy and this tendency might enlarge in recent years (Chetty et al, 2016).
Nevertheless, in this era non-communicable diseases and functional dysfunction have been on
increase and affecting the lives of the institutionalized older adults and those living at home as
well (Prince et al, 2015). Most of the ailments the aged population is prone to can be curtailed by
physical activities. But surprisingly, many health experts lack the awareness on the way physical
activities can be developed and how they can endorsed as ways of enhancing health of seniors as
well as their quality of life. Those confined to geriatric chairs and those who are bed-ridden
elders are the most affected populace. It is very imperative for the clinicians to be creative and
resourceful since there are simple other activities which they can use to assist this isolated group.
Old people who can walk without help have also been abandoned (Franco et al, 2015).
Aims of the study

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The primary objective of this research will be to study and create awareness on the way physical
activities have enhanced good health conditions of the aged population.
Research questions:
1. What are some of the benefits of physical activities among the old people?
2. What barriers or obstacles hinder the older adults from physical activities?
Significance and innovation of the proposed study
This research will be of huge significance to several parties in particular the elderly and the
healthcare practitioners handling the aged population. It will provide instances of good physical
activities and shade light on the constructive effect in the safety of our elderly society. This study
will as well explain some evidence based research that have been utilized beforehand and that
are pertinent in the working life. It shall lead to a positive effect within the life of the older adults
when the health practitioners put into practice the interventions that will be provided.
Literature review
Sun, Norman, & While (2013), argued that habitual physical activities bring about significant
health benefits to everybody regardless of his or her age. The necessity for physical exercise does
not end in old age and proof more and more show that physical activity can lengthen years of
energetic autonomous living, improve the quality of life and reduce disability for our seniors.
There is robust systematic substantiation that old individuals who are proactive have a lesser risk
of common ailments such as stroke, cancer, heart disease, dementia, depression, and type-2
diabetes. The decrease in strength of their muscles and weight during the process of aging has

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been associated with functional decline, impaired mobility, falls, physical infirmity in very old
people.
There are several aspects which might lead to loss of skeletal muscle mass and muscle fault in
aged adults (Deutz et al, 2014). These comprise of; chronic illness, nutritional deficiency,
sedentary life style, as well as usual aging. Amongst these factors, a under nutrition and skeletal
muscle neglect are avoidable and in some situations reversible with proper usage of
interventions. In a study carried out by Bauer et al., (2013), it was revealed that high-
concentrated resistance work out training is doable and efficient means of offsetting muscle
failing and physical activity in older adults of advanced age.
In an investigation to examine the connection between the risk of cognitive impairment and
dementia and physical exercise by Laurin et al (2001), it was revealed that normal physical
exercises can signify a significant and effectual defensive factor for cognitive diminution and
dementia in older populations. In this particular research, a population sample of 9008 randomly
chosen old people aged 65 years and above was assessed between the years 1991-1992. 4615
members of the study finished a 5-year follow-up of screening and clinical. In 1996-1997, 3894
participants were devoid of cognitive disfigurement while 285 as having dementia, and 436 were
diagnosed with cognitive impairment. The outcomes were heartening because they revealed that
physical exercise was linked to lesser risks of Alzheimer disease of any type and cognitive
impairment.
Methodology
This section outlines the approaches and practices which will be applied to gather, process, and
interpret data used in the study. This topic will be based exclusively on qualitative study as well

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as literature review and its content scrutiny. Basically a literature review is referred to as an
explanation of what has been published on a particular topic by qualified researchers and
scholars. As Bryman, & Bell, (2015) put it, literature review gives a hypothetical backdrop for
the research and it assists ascertain the connections between what has already been studied
before and what the researcher is investigating. The researcher through the use of literature
review is able to prove how the conclusions of the research exercise have contributed to the
already offered knowledge in that particular field of study (Gratton, & Jones, 2010). This
research will rely on literature review since it provides the writer with a chance to reference
preceding study publications, give weaknesses and strengths of the study and offer a base of
information from which the field of concentration was built upon.
Data Collection
The research will start by exploring the wide issues that are associated with physical activity and
aged people. The second phase will be to categorize the studies that will overlap with the
research and in the last step, concentrate on the researches that will directly relate to the research
topic as well as its questions. A literature search will be carried out by the use of the following
databases: Google Scholar, SAGE, and EBSCO host. Other literatures will be cited from online
books and a range of peer reviewed journal articles. A literature review will be applied to draw
and appraise a variety of articles, books, web-based resources, and professional journals.
Sampling
A range of keywords will be used: inspiring the older adults to take part and maintain physical
exercise, elderly, correlates of physical activities, mobility in the elderly, physical activities
among other search terms and phrases. Stratified Random Sampling will be applied and the

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articles which will be sourced in the various search engines will be those ranging between the
years 2010-2018. When selecting the articles, exclusion and inclusion criteria will be used.
Inclusion is a very vital criterion because it assists researchers to articulate evidently the
researches and information that matches up directly to the research topic; it is more precise and
concise.
Content analysis
Content analysis is appropriate for this research as it is defined as an approach that might be
applied either qualitatively or quantitatively as a deductive or inductive way of study. In this case
deductive content will be applied since the structure of analysis is operational on the basis of
earlier knowledge and understanding. It is based on previous literature reviews, models, and
theories. Besides, the study will prefer deductive content analysis since it is straight to the point
and time saving. Hsieh & Shannon (2005) supports this content analysis method because is an
effective method of doing qualitative research as it offers evidence based for practice. The
selected materials will be read repeatedly and numbered. Two different markers for every
selected material in regard to the research questions will be used. A red color marker will be used
for the first study question and a green one will be used for the 2nd for question. Short summaries
will as well be written and this will ease data analysis process.
Expected outcomes
The purpose of this research will be to investigate and raise alertness on the connection between
physical activities and health promotion by describing the benefits of physical exercises, as well
as the barriers which hinder the older adults from taking part in physical activities. Interventions
to encourage a rise in participation of physical activity will be addressed. The outcomes of the

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research shall be provided in two groups resulting from the 1st and 2nd study question. What are
the main benefits or advantages of physical Activity (1st Question) and what barriers hinder old
people from physical activities (2nd Question). In order to respond to the 1st one, the researchers
shall outline various benefits of physical activities for the aged individuals. 2nd Question shall be
addressed by defining the obstacles that affect elders’ participation in physical work outs. The
following table shows the possible outcomes of benefits of physical activities on health
promotion of the elderly (1st Question). Interventions drawn from the barriers will also be
discussed.

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Main group Generic group Sub-group
Benefits or
advantages of
physical activities
for the old people
Sickness prevention,
Functionality and mobility,
Delay/curb ailments
Curtail chance of hip fracture and
fall
Physical health( balance
maintenance
Declined vulnerability to
cardiovascular sicknesses
Stronger skeletal muscle weight
and enhancement
Social welfare Active participation
Social interaction
Independent living
Psychological welfare Curbs mental problems
Rehabilitation which reduces
long-term hospitalization
Enhances sleep
Advantages of physical activities in prevention of old age ailments, functionality, and
mobility
Investigators have figured out that being physically active and ensuring regular body exercise
can aid an individual to prevent or avoid a lot of ailments and disabilities (Rock t al, 2012). In

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old age, particularly, regular exercise functions as an effectual treatment for numerous chronic
disorders. Researches reveal that individuals suffering from diabetes, heart sicknesses, and
arthritis benefit from regular physical activity. Regular exercises curb one against the hazard of
hip fracture and also assist the older adults who initially had hip fractures to recover and continue
with heir balance consciousness. Staying bodily proactive and exercising frequently can results
in lasting health benefits and even enhance health for some elderly seniors who are already
suffering from certain disabilities and ailments. That is why health professionals argue that
elderly people ought to aim at being as active as possible.
Advantages of physical exercises and social safety
Constant involvement in aerobic exercises has been revealed to reduce general levels of
nervousness, lift up and alleviate mood, enhance sleep, and advance self-esteem. Planned group
undertakings can have a constructive effect in the life of an old adult. It enhances the social-
interaction abilities of the partakers and this helps them break boredom and monotony (Pan et al,
2017). During these physical exercises, the aged can as well make friendship among themselves.
Merits of physical exercises on psychological health
Habitual physical activities and exercises are imperative to the mental and physical healthiness
of elders (Awick et al, 2017). There have been constructive impacts of physical activities on the
mental comfort of schizophrenic victims. The exercises are not anticipated to amend the
analytical status of people with serious chronic psychological conditions but might be a
constituent of psychotherapy to curb or curtail durable hospitalization.
Barriers which hinder older adults from physical activities

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These barriers can be internal factors (personal and psychological factors), external factors
(socio-economic and environmental factors) or due to aging process.
Internal factors may include:
Loneliness and melancholy
Fear of fall and hurt
Low self-efficacy
lack of enthusiasm
External factors:
Dangerous neighborhoods
Non-conducive weather conditions
Unreachable environments
Development of technology
Lack of support
Aging process is associated with occurrences such as clinical issues physical impairment,
illnesses, physical frailty/immobility, and polypharmacy all of which can derail an aged from
doing physical exercises.
Ethical Considerations
Consideration of ethical issues in research is very critical. Ethics refer to the standards or norms
for conduct that differentiate between what is deemed as right and wrong, good or bad
(Holloway, & Galvin, 2016). As researchers we expect them to assist to decide the difference
between tolerable and intolerable behaviors. Ethical principles prevent against the creation or

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misrepresentation of information and thus, encourage the hunt of knowledge and accuracy which
is the most important objective of research. Ethical conduct is also very vital for mutual work
since it promotes an environment of reliance, answerability, and joint reverence among
researchers. This is in particular imperative when considering subject matters associated with
co-authorship, confidentiality, data sharing, and copyright guidelines, and many other issues.
Investigators should also stick on to ethical values so that the public can to support and accept
their research as true. The general public intends to be guaranteed that researchers adhered to the
suitable guiding principles for issues such as human rights, conflicts of interest, safety,
compliance with the law, health standards, animal welfare, and so on. The management of these
ethical principles significantly impacts the truthfulness of the study project and can have an
effect on whether or not the project receives financial support.
Because ethical considerations are so imperative in any research it is important to mention a few
ethical issues which might revolve around our study and try to see ways of addressing them. The
first one is the issue of plagiarism since the study will be entirely based on literature review of
other authors’ works. In a layman’s language plagiarism is the “stealing and publication” of
another writer’s expressions, ideas, thoughts, and language and representing them as one’s own
original piece. This act is seen as an academic deceitfulness and a breach of research ethics. To
prevent this from transpiring, all reference materials like journals, books, and articles will be
properly quoted and cited. The respective authors of all referenced materials will be adequately
acknowledged through citations followed by references. Respect for intellectual rights of all
materials deemed suitable for the research will also be observed. If the copyright guidelines
require us to seek for permission of the author before using the material, we will not hesitate to
do so.

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Another ethical issue which will be considered while conducting the actual research is that of
confidentiality. Content gathered from all reviewed materials will only be used to facilitate this
research and will not be used for any other external purpose. Privacy of all sources especially
those with rigid copyright guidelines will be observed. In addition, data collected from the
materials will be used with high degree of confidentiality and will not be shared with other
unauthorized parties which the copyright guidelines deem unsuitable.
Another ethical consideration which will be observed throughout the research process is conflicts
of interest. Conflict of interest in research refers to conditions in which financial or other
individual contemplations might compromise, or seem to compromise a researcher's proficient
opinion in carrying out or reporting research. Authors of the research will be encouraged to shun
feelings of personal interest when reporting any issue regarding the research. The findings in the
materials will be disseminated as they are without any bias or inclination towards individual’s
likes and/or opinions. They will be advised to seek for ample consultation before making a
judgment to protect self against making conclusions which favor their interests.
Study limitations
The researchers may encounter some limitations while using the deductive content analysis.
Some pertinent information, data or statistics might be excluded owing to the lack of meta-
language and in some extreme cases there may be unnecessary interpretation and analysis of
data. Another limitation might be instigated by researchers’ lack of ample creativity because the
study will be based solely on earlier research works and might be too hard for them to come up
with new findings in the conclusion.
Administration of the research