Exploring factors associated with physical activity in older adults: An ecological approach

Abstract

According to ecological models of behavior, the physical environment can influence physical activity engagement by a series of mediating and moderating processes. This study tested such a model to identify factors relevant to older adults' engagement in moderate-vigorous physical activity. Sociodemographic, psychological, physical, and environmental factors were assessed in 432 Western Australians aged 60 and older. Moderate-vigorous physical activity was measured objectively using accelerometers. No environmental variables were related to engagement in moderate-vigorous physical activity either directly or indirectly. However, various individual-level factors were significant, indicating that these may be more important than environmental factors in locations such as Australia that have generally conducive environments and ambient conditions.

Document Type

Journal Article

ISSN

1543-267X

Volume

27

Issue

3

PubMed ID

30160580

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

31348

Grant Number

ARC Number : DP140100365

Grant Link

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP140100365

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Human Kinetics

Comments

Rai, R., Jongenelis, M. I., Jackson, B., Newton, R. U., & Pettigrew, S. (2019). Exploring Factors Associated With Physical Activity in Older Adults: An Ecological Approach. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 27(3), 343-353. Available here

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1123/japa.2018-0148