Citation

Eggers JL. Activ. Adapt. Aging 1988; 11(1): 21-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J016v11n01_03

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold. The first purpose was to identify the attitudes and needs of well-elderly women with respect to their fitness and to the programs that can enhance fitness. The second purpose was to develop some hypotheses that might be tested by activity directors to better insure entrance and adherence of well-elderly women into structured physical fitness programs. A convenience sample of 56 well-elderly women from four communities was used for the study. Five research tools were used to gather data: (a) Demographic Information Data Sheet, (b) Attitudes Toward Structured Physical Fitness Programs Survey, (c) Attitude and Needs Assessment Open- Ended Interview for Subjects, (d) Activity Preference Survey, and (e) Attitude and Needs Assessment Open-Ended Interview for Directors. The findings of the study indicated that the subject's occupation (p < .05) and number of female children (p < .01) were demographic variables that were significantly different in the active and nonactive groups. Additionally, women involved in fitness programs responded with positive attitudes toward exercise more frequently than women not actively participating in fitness programs. Based upon all data collected, from an attitude survey and an open-ended interview it was concluded: (a) publicity campaigns are needed to inform the elderly population that quality leadership of excellent physical fitness programs can meet the biological, psychological, and social needs of the well-elderly population, (b) activity directors of fitness programs for the elderly need to be appropriately trained, and (c) a television fitness program geared toward the elderly population would be attractive to the well-elderly.