Assumptions about Fitness and Exercise among Elderly Persons

Abstract

There may be differential benefits from regular exercise for elderly persons, and their rationales about exercise can influence the likelihood that they will do it 98 elderly persons (29 men, M age = 66.3 yr., SD = 9.1, Range = 51–90 and 69 women, M age = 72.7 yr., SD = 10.3, Range = 53–94) were given two self-report surveys of 13 items each consisting of statements about jogging, not jogging, or engaging in other forms of exercise. Only one man and one woman completed the “reasons for jogging” form, while 96 elderly persons completed the “reasons for not jogging” form. A two-way (repeated-measures) analysis of variance indicated a significant main effect for differences among 10 items dealing with “reasons for not jogging.” These reasons included engaging in another form of aerobic activity (such as walking), having a health condition that prevented jogging, and jogging as too uncomfortable.