Physical activity needs to be embedded into the culture of care homes, according to new research by the University of Stirling.

Researchers, who interviewed more than 160 care home staff across the UK, found the main barriers to physical activity were a lack of staff time to support residents, and a fear of falling.

The Sit Less Move More study, backed by walking charity Paths for All, Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, and Life Changes Trust, sets out recommendations to help overcome these barriers. These include appointing care home staff in specific activities coordinator roles, skilling up all care home staff to encourage care home residents to be physically active, and creating effective resources and knowledge exchange networks for care home staff regarding physical activity.

Dr Grant Gibson, lecturer in dementia studies at the university’s Faculty of Social Sciences said a sedentary lifestyle could result in losing the ability to balance, to rise from a chair, and to walk, as well as increasing the likelihood of falls when attempting to move.

“We found a whole-home approach was needed to support residents to engage in physical activity and that it was vital that physical activity was encouraged as part of personal care, recreational preferences, social activities, and daily tasks – not just as ‘exercise’,” he said. “Many of the recommendations highlighted in this report require significant changes in care home services, not least increasing resources from their current level. But many elements are achievable with relatively minor changes.”

Carl Greenwood, Paths for All senior development officer, said: “The report highlights the pivotal role that activity coordinators play in facilitating this positive culture around movement and physical activity, and the need to recognise and support this critical role, with training, resources and networking opportunities.”