Physical activity among older Mexican American women

Theories of stage of readiness for change and self‐efficacy guided this investigation of (a) performance of habitual physical activity (daily activity and leisure/sport activity), (b) preference for leisure physical activities, and (c) relationships of age, stage of readiness for exercise, and exercise self‐efficacy with habitual physical activity. The sample consisted of 71 community‐residing Mexican American women aged 60–87 years. Fifty‐six women reported performing at least one leisure/sport activity; the most frequent was walking, reported by 47 women. Fifty‐three women stated that walking was their preferred leisure activity. Age, self‐efficacy, and stage of readiness accounted for 27% of the variance in daily activity and 32% of the variance in leisure/sport activity. These findings suggest that stage of readiness for change and self‐efficacy theories are useful for this population. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 23:383–392, 2000.