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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to understand the perceptions of the middle-aged and older persons regarding their regular brisk walking.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to learn about the difficulties and strategies to recruit middle-aged or older persons to participate in the focus groups.
The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of the middle-aged and older persons regarding their regular brisk walking.
Methods:
Qualitative method was employed in this study. Both purposive and snowball sampling were applied to recruit the middle-aged or older persons (aged 40 and above) who had experiences of having regular brisk walking in the community. Six focus group interviews with 48 participants aged from 43 to 81 years were conducted in April and May 2011. An interview guide with seven open-ended questions was used in focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Results:
Five themes were identified from the data including (a) health promotion and maintenance; (b) social interaction; (c) leaders and members commitments (enthusiastic community leaders and peer pressure); (d) nature of brisk walking; and (e) becoming part of daily life.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that the middle-aged and older persons thought the regular brisk walking could promote and maintain their health and was a good way to have social contact with others. Enthusiastic community leaders and pressure from peers could encourage them keeping exercise and, eventually, it will become part of their lives. The results could provide the information for developing an appropriate brisk walking program for the middle-aged and older persons of the community in the future.