Exercise cognition among elderly women

This study explored the role of six theoretically-supported beliefs in the explanation of exercise variability in elderly women: incentive value, self-efficacy, social support, perceived risks, perceived benefits, and health locus of control. Survey data were collected from 327 Vancouver women aged 70 to 98. Energy expended on exercise was assessed using a 7-day report of the type, intensity and duration of 38 leisure-time physical activities. Multiple regression analysis found that 25% of the exercise variance was explained by the full cognitive model. The best predictors of late life exercise were social reinforcement to be physically active (b˭ .352, p < .01) and self-efficacy to take part in fitness exercise (b = .277, p < .01). Together these beliefs explained 22% of the variance in exercise behavior.