Biopsychosocial factors influencing physical activity participation among older adults with chronic pain

This mixed methods study examined biopsychosocial factors (pain, stress, and exercise self-efficacy) associated with physical activity participation among older adults with chronic pain (CP). A two phase sequential design was implemented through a cross-sectional self-administered survey collected from adults ranging in age from 19-79 years ( N = 99), and one-on-one interviews with six female survey respondents. Interview questions were aimed at exploring study variables and survey responses in greater depth. Mediation analyses in Phase One confirmed the buffer effect of physical activity participation on the association between stress and pain among the oldest adults (i.e. 70+ years). Phase Two found evidence for a theme labeled "self-kinesis", defined as an individual's self-chosen movement dependent upon internal and external stimuli. The focus of kinesiology was expanded in this study, to include a biopsychosocial understanding of the way people with CP move in their lives