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Schuck, Tizian ; Loss, Julika ; Tittlbach, Susanne:
Understanding Influencing Factors in Physical Activity Promotion for Older
Men : A Capability Approach Perspective.
2026
Veranstaltung: 25. Annual Meeting The International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA)
, 27.-30.05.2026
, Cádiz, Spanien.
(Veranstaltungsbeitrag: Kongress/Konferenz/Symposium/Tagung
,
Vortrag
)
Abstract
Purpose: Promoting physical activity is a key strategy to support healthy ageing, yet older men remain an underrepresented target group in physical activity promotion. To develop physical activity promotion strategies, it is crucial to understand how individual, social, and structural factors shape physical activity behavior in this population.
The capability approach provides a promising framework for capturing these dynamics by introducing capabilities as an intermediate level between conversion factors and actual behavior, thereby emphasizing individuals’ freedoms to engage in an active lifestyle. However, its empirical application remains limited. This study applies the capability approach to explore how individual and socio-structural conversion factors relate to perceived capabilities for an active lifestyle and actual physical activity behavior among men aged 50 years and older in a community setting.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 316 men (age: M = 64.87, SD = 9.70). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to assess associations between individual conversion factors (e.g., individual barriers, self-efficacy), socio-structural conversion factors (e.g., social support, structural barriers), perceived capabilities for an active lifestyle, and actual physical activity behavior. The explanatory and predictive
power were evaluated, and alternative model specifications were compared.
Results: Individual (r= -.38, f2= .17) and structural (r= -.26, f2= .07) conversion factors were significantly associated with
perceived capabilities (R2= .28). Higher perceived capabilities were positively related to higher actual physical activity levels (r= .32, f2=.12). However, the explained variance in actual physical activity behavior was modest (R2= .10). The estimated model demonstrated good predictive power and superior fit compared to alternatives.
Conclusion: Findings emphasize the importance of considering the interplay of diverse conversion factors and perceived capabilities in promoting physical activity among older men. As social conversion factors showed no significant associations in this sample, future research should further examine different profiles of conversion factors and how they interact across subgroups. In doing so, the capability approach offers a comprehensive perspective that
goes beyond behavior change, highlighting that promoting equitable capabilities can be considered a meaningful goal in itself within physical activity promotion.