Table 3 Summary of the thematic analysis of facilitators and barriers reported in all studies. Views and preferences reported were coded and similar codes grouped into themes

“Recommendations from health professionals”

“Support from professional”

“Professional exercise instructor”

“Family support”

“Social approval “

“Positive social identity”

“Being accompanied by a friend”

Support from professionals or family

Quantitative: Yardley et al. [46], Snodgrass and Rivett [39], Lin et al. [32]

Mixed: Hedley et al. [26], Robinson et al. [36]

Hawley [25], Hutton et al. [29], Moody et al. [35], Stathi and Simey [40], Suttanon et al. [41], Wong et al. [44], Yardley et al. [45], Meyer et al. [34]

“Socialization”

“Relationships”

“Valued companionship”

“Enjoyable and sociable atmosphere”

“Having a coffee/tea as part of activity”

“prefer group exercises”

Social interaction

Quantitative: Snodgrass and Rivett [39]

Mixed: Hedley et al. [26]

Clark et al. [24], Hawley [25], Hutton et al. [29], Jagnoor et al. [30], Lindgren De Groot and Fagerström [33], Moody et al. [35], Stathi and Simey [40], Vernon and Ross [42]

“Staying independent”

“Increase independence”

“Functional improvements”

“Maintaining health”

“Believe that exercise has benefits”

“Feeling improvements”

“Improved mental health”

“Reduction of fall risk”

“Recent falls”

“improved self-efficacy”

Perceived benefits

Quantitative: Yardley et al. [46, 47], Lin et al. [32]

Mixed: Hedley et al. [26], Robinson et al. [36]

Clark et al. [24], Hawley [25], Jagnoor et al. [30], Lam et al. [31], Lindgren De Groot and Fagerström [33], Meyer et al. [34], Moody et al. [35], Simpson et al. [38], Stathi and Simey [40], Suttanon et al. [41], Vernon and Ross [42], Yardley et al. [45]

“Trust-based atmosphere”

“Small size classes”

“Suitable and nearby facility”

“At home or group”

“Participants of similar age”

“Program characteristics”

“Individually adapted”

“Feeling ownership of the program”

“High self-efficacy”

A supportive exercise context

Quantitative: Lin et al. [32], Yardley et al. [47]

Mixed: Robinson et al. [36]

Berlin Hallrup et al. [23], Horne et al. [27], Hutton et al. [29], Lam et al. [31], Meyer et al. [34], Robinson et al. [37] Suttanon et al. [41], Vernon and Ross [42], Wong et al. [44]

“Commitment to a structured program”

“Exercise recording sheet”

“Measurable goals”

“Minimizing caregivers burden”

“Contribute to research”

Feelings of commitment

Meyer et al. [34], Moody et al. [35], Stathi and Simey [40] Suttanon et al. [41]

“Interest and enjoyment”

“Enjoyable and joyful”

“Activity sounds like fun”

Having fun

Quantitative: Snodgrass and Rivett [39]

Berlin Hallrup et al.[23], Suttanon et al. [41], Yardley et al. [45]

”Transportation to exercise venue”

“Environmental factors”

“Lack of suitable place at home”

“Lack of time”

“Bad weather”

Practical issues

Quantitative: Snodgrass and Rivett [39], Whitehead et al. [43]

Mixed: Hedley et al. [26]

Horne et al. [27, 28], Hutton et al. [29], Lindgren De Groot and Fagerström [33], Moody et al. [35], Suttanon et al. [41], Vernon and Ross [42], Wong et al. [44], Yardley et al. [45]

“Fear of adverse effects”

“fear of falling again”

“Anxiety at start”

“Unable to keep up with others in class”

“A competitive atmosphere”

“Too difficult exercises”

“Different functional levels among participants”

“Previous unpleasant experiences”

“Dislike group activities”

“Program not tailored”

Concerns about exercise

Quantitative: Snodgrass and Rivett [39] Yardley et al. [46]

Mixed: Robinson et al. [36]

Horne et al. [27, 28], Hutton et al. [29], Lam [31], Lindgren De Groot and Fagerström [33], Moody et al. [35], Simpson et al. [38], Stathi and Simey [40], Suttanon et al. [41], Vernon and Ross [42]

“Misunderstandings of benefits”

“Denial of risk of falling”

“Perceive oneself as too young and fit”

“Being active enough”

Unawareness

Quantitative: Snodgrass and Rivett [39], Whitehead et al. [43]

Horne et al. [27, 28], Jagnoor et al. [30], Simpson et al. [38]

Yardley et al. [45]

“Deterioration in health”

“Pain and pathology”

“Feeling unwell”

“Fatigue”

“Feeling too old”

Reduced health status

Quantitative: Whitehead et al. [43]

Hutton et al. [29], Lindgren De Groot and Fagerström [33], Moody et al. [35], Simpson et al. [38], Suttanon et al. [41], Vernon and Ross [42]

“Unprofessional instructor”

“Withdrawal of professional support”

“Lack of support from home”

“Caregivers health”

Lack of support

Quantitative: Whitehead et al. [43]

Mixed: Hedley et al. [26]

Hutton et al. [29], Stathi and Simey [40], Suttanon et al. [41], Wong et al. [44]

“Lack of motivation”

“Not interested”

Lack of interest

Quantitative: Snodgrass and Rivett [39], :Whitehead et al. [43]

Hutton et al. [29], Lindgren De Groot and Fagerström [33]