Predictors of participation in a peer-led exercise program for senior women

This study explored variables selected using the Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior (Cox, 1982) and their relationship to exercise group participation in seniors. Seventy-five women were surveyed from from two similar senior apartment buildings. Subjects' ages ranged from 65 to 88 years (M = 75.91, SD = 6.12). Discriminant function analysis was used to test the relationship of seven demographic and motivational variables to choice of exercise group participation. As hypothesized, significant predictors for all the women in both buildings were: a measure of competence, education, number of medications, building, and age. Two variables, income and marital status, did not emerge as significant predictors. Women more likely to attend an exercise group had greater competence in health matters, higher education, a lower number of medications, were living in building B, and were lower in age. Nurses who facilitate exercise groups for seniors in the community should be aware of the impact these variables could have on attendance.