Perceptions of ageing and ageist practices in health contexts: implications for physical activity among older adults

Abstract

Perceptions of ageing differ from individual to individual, and there are several multidimensional images related to ageing and older adults that give rise to systematic stereotyping and age-based discrimination. However, little is known about the scope of these practices in Europe and particularly in the Portuguese context. According to the literature, health professionals are not unrelated to these phenomena, and the impact they have on older adults’ physical activity remains unclear. Thus, a literature review was conducted in April 2013 covering the period from 1999 to 2013. It was concluded that there are few studies that clarify how ageing images and ageist practices influence physical activity among older adults, highlighting the need for further research to better understand this influence and its consequences.