Introduction: Social participation  can have a positive  impact  on  health; however, physical challenges  can be hindrances. During a preventive  home  visit a health  professional (visitor) assesses different aspects of  physical,  mental and social health. However,  there might  be a challenge  for the  visitor  to discover  the interrelationship  between physical  factors that hinder social  participation. Therefore,  the aim  of this  study was, in  the context  of preventive  home visits, to identify  physical  factors which  can hinder  older  persons from taking  part in  social contexts.  Methods: Cross-sectional  register  data from  preventive  home  visits  to older  persons (n=1,245, ≥77 years old,  without  home care) was used. Data was collected during a period of 17 months, in  seven Swedish  municipalities. Logistic  regression  was used to analyse  the association between physical factors and the item physical problems hindering social participation. Results: The mean age was 78.8  (standard  deviation 1.8 years), and 55% were women. The physical  factors significantly  associated with  physical  problems  hindering  taking  part in  social contexts were: having urinary  incontinence (women  only),  having  pain,  impaired  endurance and using  a mobility  device.  Conclusions: This study  provides  insights  into  how to  make the best use of  the questions asked during preventive  home  visits, in  order to enable  older  persons to  take part in  social contexts. The  results recognise  the importance  of taking  into  account physical  challenges  to be able  to support  social  participation. Furthermore, considering physical challenges for social participation on both  an individual  and  a societal  level  might  reduce inequalities  among  older persons.