RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Factors Associated With Regular Aerobic Exercise In An Elderly Population
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 467
OP 474
DO 10.3122/jabfm.5.5.467
VO 5
IS 5
A1 Elward, Kurt
A1 Larson, Eric
A1 Wagner, Edward
YR 1992
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/5/5/467.abstract
AB Background: Little is known regarding the characteristics of elderly persons who do not regularly exercise. This lack of knowledge limits the design and marketing of exercise programs to persons who could benefit from regular exercise. Methods: We compared characteristics of regular exercisers and nonexercisers among 561 randomly selected persons aged 65 years and older who were enrollees of a health maintenance organization. Baseline data were obtained on sociodemographics, health attitudes, and medical conditions. Results: Of the 561 persons studied, 192 (34 percent) were regular exercisers. Exercisers were slightly younger than nonexercisers and reported more positive health perceptions. Nonexercisers tended to report lower incomes and lower educational levels than did exercisers. Exercisers were less likely to report hypertension, arthritis, or two or more of the following medical conditions: heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, and emphysema (odds ratio 0.49; confidence interval 0.28 to 0.86). Sex differences were present. In logistic regression analysis, higher reported income, better perception of current health, and fewer than two medical conditions were associated with regular exercise status. Conclusions: Specific characteristics are present in persons who regularly exercise compared with those who do not. These findings may prove useful in understanding the dynamics of exercise behavior in this age group and in designing exercise interventions for this population.