[Participants in movement programs for 55-year-olds and older. An exploratory study of 'More Movement for the...

In this article an exploratory study into a national exercise program for people of 55 years and older is reported. In order to gain more insight in the various characteristics of the participants, a questionnaire was completed by a sample of 839 persons. The studied aspects are background characteristics, medical characteristics, characteristics of daily activities, risk behaviour, way of acquaintance with and motive for participation in the program. The results of the research are, if possible, compared with a reference group. A comparison between the participants of the various types of the movement program, shows similarities on the dimensions ADL-problems and bad health. Differences are found on the dimensions gender, age and education. The conclusion is that the choice of the type of the movement program is probably made on the ground of these three characteristics. The comparison between the participants of the exercise program and the reference group shows that a selection within the population of people of 55 years and older is very likely. The majority of the participants is 65 to 74 years old (43%), female (80%) and of low educational level (85%). Positive differences in favour of the exercise participants are found on the variables hypertension, medicine usage. ADL problems and risk behaviour (smoking and drinking). It is, however, unclear whether these differences are the result of an effect of the program or the result of selection in the program population. A combination of these two factors is also not ruled out. An effect-study can give more evidence for one of the factors involved.