The relationship between attitude and participation in physical activity among older women

Abstract

Physical activity is important for older women to maintain their health and to avoid the negative consequences of inactivity. The Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen, 1988) was selected as the conceptual framework for the research. The relationship between older women's attitude toward and participation in physical activity, together with some factors thought to influence the level of activity were studied using a descriptive design. -- A convenience sample of 30 women aged 65 to 88 years from four senior's apartment complexes were self selected as participants. Data were collected using the Attitude Toward Physical Activity, Intention to Engage in Physical Activity, and the Modified 7-DAI questionnaires. Each participant had her weight measured. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. -- The findings suggest older women with lower incomes and education, with a disability, and who were most active in summer months had negative attitudes, less intentions, and lower levels of physical activity. Heavier women had more negative attitudes, low intentions, but higher physical activity levels than those who weighed less. Overall, women in this study spent less time in activities as the level of physical exertion increased. The low activity levels put older women in this study at risk for ill health and decreased quality of life. The findings have implications for nursing practice, education, research, and policy.