Physical activity among older Mexican American women

Theories of stage of readiness for change and self-efficacy guided this investigation of (a) performance of habitual physical activity (daily activity and leisure/sport activity), (b) preference for leisure Physical activities, and (c) relationships of age, stage of readiness for exercise, and exercise self-efficacy with habitual physical activity. The sample consisted of 71 community-residing Mexican American women aged 60-87 years. Fifty-six women reported performing at least one leisure/sport activity; the most frequent was walking, reported by 47 women. Fifty-three women stated that walking was their preferred leisure activity. Age, self-efficacy, and stage of readiness accounted for 27% of the variance in daily activity and 32% of the variance in leisure/sport activity. These findings suggest that stage of readiness for change and self-efficacy theories are useful for this population.