Résumé
The population of Pakistani women aged 55 and older is steadily increasing in Canada. However, limited access to culturally tailored programs makes it difficult for many older women to feel included in recreational physical activity (PA). For older Pakistani women particularly, barriers such as unfamiliarity with group activity settings, safety concerns, and cultural inappropriateness contribute to social isolation and reduced PA engagement. This study aimed to investigate the availability and inclusivity of group PA programs for older Pakistani women in Calgary and surrounding areas. An environmental scan was conducted using a structured Google search with terms including older women, Pakistani, group physical activity, program, and Calgary—along with variations of each domain—to identify relevant PA programs. Four programs met our inclusion criteria, with two no longer active due to financial limitations. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with fitness professionals (n = 3) identified in the scan, and data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: (1) the need for accessible, tailored educational resources; (2) the importance of bridging language and cultural barriers; (3) the critical role of community leaders and fitness professionals in promoting participation; and (4) the influence of program location and cost. Findings indicate that current group PA offerings often do not align with the cultural or linguistic needs of older Pakistani women, creating a barrier to meaningful engagement. This research highlights the need for greater support and guidance for fitness program developers to better serve this demographic and promote inclusive, community-based PA participation.
