Perceptions of Aging as Motivation to Exercise in Middle-Aged Adults

Evidence suggests that few older adults in the US achieve recommended amounts of ýphysical activity, and inactivity increases with age despite evidence that regular exercise ýreduces disease and disability and improves quality of life in older persons. Previous ýstudies on aging and exercise focused on older adults or explored early-life exercise as a ýpredictor of exercise in adulthood. No research was found that explored attitudes and ýbeliefs of middle-aged adults in relation to exercise behaviors. The purpose of this study ýwas to explore personal knowledge and attitudes about aging as a possible motivator for ýexercise by comparing perspectives of middle age exercisers to middle age non-exercisers. ýAn exploratory qualitative interview design method was used; two participant groups: 35-ýý60 year olds in organized fitness program (n=22); 35-60 year olds self-identified non-ýexercisers over the past 3 years (n=27). All participants completed a questionnaire and ýface-to-face interview. Data was analyzed using an inductive analysis model (Hatch, ýý2002) to identify convergent and divergent themes. Four major themes emerged: old age ýas representative of loss, burdens, attitudes, and gains; subthemes were also identified ýwithin major themes. Two perspectives related to aging also emerged: aging as a process ýand old age as an outcome. The themes, subthemes, and perspectives were further ýanalyzed in regard to their potential as a motivator toward physical activity. Analysis ýrevealed some evidence that perceptions of aging may be a motivator for exercise; thus, ýmiddle-age may represent an important temporal focus for targeted health promotion ýmessages regarding the benefits of physical activity. ý