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Predictors of adherence to a strength training program for older women

University of British Columbia

The rate of regular physical activity in North America is very poor. Elderly females, the fastest rising portion of the population, report the lowest exercise frequency of all demographic groups. This is alarming given the physiological and psychological health benefits derived from regular moderate physical activity among older women. Therefore, it is important to understand what factors influence adherence to an exercise program in order to implement effective intervention strategies. Although an abundance of research literature regarding young and middle-aged adults has been conducted in exercise adherence, relatively few studies exist using elderly subjects. The present study utilized measures of social support, self-efficacy, enjoyment, age, education, and physiological strength as potential determinants to adherence. These measures were subsequently used to predict attendance to a strength training program for relatively healthy women aged 75 to 80 during the initial 6 months of adoption and adaptation. Results indicated that self-efficacy, and current peer and family support were significant to the adherence equation for the first 3 months. However, the 3-6 month period rendered self-efficacy and age significant, while only age predicted adherence over the full six months (p<.05). Further, self-efficacy was the only predictor variable to provide unique significant variance at 3 months while controlling for baseline scores. Results suggest that factors influencing physical activity vary throughout the exercise behaviour adherence process. Concepts such as reciprocal determinism and perception of health status may help account for these fluctuations.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-05-26

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/8223

Human Kinetics

University of British Columbia

UBCV

DSpace