Older women and activity: A mixed methods investigation of older women’s motivations for continued activity
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
It is estimated that half of the physical declines associated with aging could be prevented with proper amounts of physical activity yet less than 13 percent of Americans over the age of 60 continue to meet the recommended guidelines. While barriers to activity have been closely examined, few studies have been conducted on older adults who are physically active and their reasons for continued participation. PURPOSE: This mixed-methods study compares active older women in different physically-based leisure activities to identify reasons for continued activity and the contribution of the activity to successful aging. METHODS: A survey was administered to 256 women, 60 to 92 years of age, engaged in either a sports-based activity (bowling, golfing) or an exercise-based activity (swimming, walking). Quantitative data was analyzed through ANOVA and multiple regressions. Means-end theory and the laddering interview technique were qualitatively used with 79 of the respondents to better understand the range of meanings underlying older women’s motivations for engaging in her chosen activity and whether the activity was perceived to contribute to successful aging. RESULTS: Analyses indicated participants in each activity rated themselves very highly on perceived successful aging (M=8.03, SD=1.34), where 1=unsuccessful and 10=highly successful. While participants appeared similar based on quantitative data in terms of successful aging, the qualitative portion revealed differences in motivation for activity. Older women involved in sports highlighted the social benefits of their activity while those involved in exercise-based activities stressed the physical fitness outcomes they enjoyed. CONCLUSION: Although activity promotion is typically framed in the context of exercise prescription, this study indicates that sports participation may yield perceived benefits similar to those typically associated with exercise participation. The principal finding is that both sports- and exercise-based activities provide similar perceived benefits for older women, but the motivations for activity participation differ. Older women may need different kinds of encouragement to participate in various physical activities based on whether social or physical benefits are more salient for them.
