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Assumptions about fitness and exercise among elderly persons
1Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Mobile 36688, USA. wvitulli@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Elderly individuals may not jog due to other aerobic activities, health conditions, or discomfort. Understanding these reasons is key to promoting exercise in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Science
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Regular exercise offers distinct advantages for older adults.
- Individual rationales for exercise significantly impact adherence rates.
- Understanding motivations is crucial for promoting physical activity in the elderly population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the primary reasons elderly individuals cite for not jogging.
- To explore potential barriers to adopting jogging as a regular exercise for seniors.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 98 elderly participants (29 men, 69 women) assessing reasons for jogging or not jogging.
- Participants completed 13-item self-report surveys on exercise habits and motivations.
- A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- A significant main effect was found for reasons concerning not jogging.
- Commonly cited reasons for not jogging included participation in other aerobic activities like walking.
- Health conditions preventing jogging and perceived discomfort were also significant deterrents.
Conclusions:
- Elderly individuals' decisions regarding jogging are influenced by alternative activities, physical limitations, and comfort levels.
- Identifying and addressing these barriers can inform strategies to encourage regular exercise in older adults.
- Further research could explore tailored interventions based on these identified reasons.