Acceptability of the intervention
arthritis
ARTHRITIS
Seven volunteers (aged 57–83 years; 6 female), eight older adults participating in the exercise intervention (aged 68–82 years; 8 female), one family member (aged 67 years; female), and four staff members were interviewed. Results are presented under the main domains of NPT, including implementation contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes (Fig. Acceptability of the interventionThe main themes and subthemes influencing the acceptability of the intervention, including quotations‘I suppose the fact that it's seated, and other people feel a lot more comfortable with that, they feel they're not going to be asked to do press ups or jump up and down or anything… But the fact that it's seated, the fact that it is relatively easy and the fact that you can stop if you feel uncomfortable, I think helps’. (Volunteer)‘I think the exercises are for people who are older, like more 75 to 80 plus. I think it would be nice if we could have exercises for the newly retired 60 plus to 75, because they are fitter, and they are losing their mobility. So, it’s finding the middle ground. What we’re doing at the moment is very much helping the less abled, but we need something a bit more lively.’ (Staff)‘I used to go to a gym with a lot of young people, you feel a bit threatened when you go into that environment. Because you know that you are flabby and not as fit as some of them, and some people in the gyms that I've been to you think, “goodness me what are they gonna think of me?” So, if you've not exercised for a long time or not exercise regularly, you can feel a bit put off by the culture of “keep fit”.’ (Volunteer)‘I think if you’re not active you seize up a bit, the joints seize up. I mean, I’ve got a bit of arthritis in my knee, and I find it better when I’m exercising more. It gives out on me now and again, but if I keep exercising regularly it doesn’t seem to happen, and it’s not painful.’ (Participant)‘I think an external instructor would be better because they know, I mean after all, (name) is just somebody who volunteered out of the goodness of her heart, to do the best she can. She does it as well as she can, but that’s not the same as somebody who knows about the exercises.’ (Member)‘Someone coming in (instructor) might have expectations about us that we are not sure about’ (Member)‘I feel as if I’m an amateur delivering them (exercise). I feel as if I’m doing my best, I’m doing the exercises and people are following along, but I don’t feel 100% competent because I can’t remember all the exercises, and which muscles they’re exercising.’ (Volunteer)‘I think we feel they (volunteers) are just one of us; they’re not an outsider coming in and therefore we’re relaxed with them… we are already friends, we are not self-conscious when they are around’ (Member)‘I find my body is more flexible. Because I know when I reach up in my kitchen cupboards, I can do it easier now I’ve been doing the exercises.’ (Member)‘Seeing people online, now that we are doing Zoom, makes you feel, “hey that’s great there’s another person here!” We can talk.. see other people… I do think that seeing other people is a very important part of well-being.’ (Volunteer)