Background Elderly persons need to be physical active for an opportunity to a healthy aging. It is important for the nurse and other healthcare professionals to understand significance of thepreventive care and health promotion for an older population that are growing in our society. This to promote elderly persons wellbeing and health. The elderly person has right to the opportunity for a healthy aging process.

Aim The aim of this literature review was to illuminate the elderly person´s experiences of physical activity and how it can contribute to health.

Method A method of a five-step model were used. An analysis of qualitative results of 12 scientific articles was preformed, which focused on the elderly person´s experiences of physical activity.

Results Two main themes and four subthemes emerged. The result present two main theme:“Personal dimensions that affect the possibility of physical activity” and “Surrounding dimensions that affect the possibility of physical activity”. The subthemes where “Motivation” and “Social interaction”, “Outdoor environment” and “Obstacles”.

Conclusion Elderly person´s experience of being physical active has an important link to the feeling of well-being and perceived health. Being physical inactive has consequences such as negative effect on elderly person´s health. This literature study contributes to knowledge about the importance of physical activity for elderly persons, which highlight the importance of offering health promoting efforts in both nursing care and society for elderly persons.