INTRODUCTION: Extensive interest has focused on the relationship between physical exercise and a variety of aspects of human functioning. Current media culture promotes the ideal of sexual attractiveness as the result of physical fitness; however, there is a lack of research in this area among older adults. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of self-reported fitness levels on perceived sexual desirability and sexual performance among a sample of adults residing in an active 55+ retirement community. METHODS: Data were collected using a cross-sectional research design. The total number of participants were: N = 222, comprised of n = 95 women (43%) and n = 127 men (57%). The sample ranged in age from 55 to 89, with a mean age of 68 (SD = 7.4). Three questions focused specifically on perceived physical fitness, sexual desirability, and sexual performance. Data for these items were placed in five categories ranging from much above average to much below average. Due to extremely low numbers in the much below average and the much above average categories, these participants were grouped with either below average or above average, resulting in three categories - below average, average, and above average for the items investigated. All statistical procedures were performed using SAS. Data were analyzed without regard to gender and by gender. Testing of the hypotheses employed chi-square to examine the relationship of self-reported fitness levels on perceived sexual desirability and sexual performance. The significance level was set at p <.05. RESULTS: Chi-square analyses conducted without regard to gender demonstrated that as a group (males and females) physical fitness was not independent of both sexual desirability (p<.0003) and sexual performance (p<.02). Chi-square results by gender demonstrated that men who reported higher physical fitness were more likely to report greater levels of sexual desirability (X=24.3, p<.0001), and higher sexual performance (X=17.9, p<.002) compared with men of lower reported levels of physical fitness. Women who reported higher levels of physical fitness indicated they were more sexually desirable (X=17.1, p<.002), compared with women of lower physical fitness; however, physical fitness did not impact perceptions of sexual performance for women (X=7.1, p=.1316). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the research, it seems that physical fitness does have some impact upon perceptions of sexual performance and sexually desirability. A regular exercise program combined with regular sexual activity may be supportive elements for successful aging.Keyword(s): adult physical activity/fitness, disease prevention/wellness