Physical Activity, Older Immigrants and Cultural Competence

Abstract

Increasingly fitness practitioners (FPs) are required to provide programs for older immigrants from diverse cultural backgrounds. Providing appropriate physical activity interventions is a complex undertaking especially if the practitioner has little knowledge of the client's cultural expectations. This article presents a framework to assist FPs in the design and delivery of culturally competent physical activity programming for older immigrants. Examples from the Muslim culture describe the four dimensions of caring, cultural sensitivity, cultural knowledge, and cultural skills. By working through each of the four dimensions, practitioners will be better equipped to identify the types of skills and behaviors required to develop culturally appropriate programs.

Key Words:

• Older adults
• immigrants
• cultural competence
• physical activity