Barriers and facilitators of exercise behavior for frail elderly in nursing homes: protocol for a qualitative study in China

Background: Exercise is significant for the elderly to improve their poor health outcomes. It can delay weakness, enhance the quality of muscle and body balance, and prevent adverse events. But the factors that hinder or promote exercise among frail nursing home residents are unclear. Few studies have investigated the exercise-related experiences and coping strategies of the frail elderly, and it is necessary to understand the overall situation among the elderly further. Therefore, this study aims to obtain information about the impact of exercise-related barriers and facilitators on the daily life of frail older adults and how they cope with this condition. Methods/Design: Qualitative research design uses a phenomenological framework. Older adults participating in the study will be invited to describe their life experiences with exercise-related barriers and facilitators, the impact on their daily lives, and the strategies they use to cope with the condition. This study will use purposeful sampling to ensure that the sample provides informative cases representative of frail older adults with exercise-related barriers and facilitators. Face-to-face, personal and semi-structured interviews will be conducted in nursing homes in Sichuan, China. A trained qualitative person will conduct interviews. Transcripts will be analyzed using NVivo10 qualitative software, and themes will be synthesized to highlight the critical issues raised by the frail elderly about the exercise process. Discussion Understanding the awareness of frail older adults on exercise management care will help improve the existing health services in this area. This research data will be used in future research to develop a validated survey, which can be used by medical staff working in nursing homes to understand and strengthen the health service provision of the frail elderly.