Exercise Attitudes and Behaviors: A Survey of Adults Age 50-79 - Aarp

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IV. Exercise Motivators Major Reasons Exercise Exercise Motivators Americans 50-79 do not exercise solely to improve their health, nor do they do it strictly for personal pleasure. Rather, it is a combination of reasons that ultimately leads to the decision to exercise. Chief benefits include: Health Benefits • Americans age 50-79 rate the benefit of improved health as a major reason why they exercise more so than any of the other factors (82%). Findings are similar across gender and age groups. • Two in three (67%) say the prevention of disease is a major reason for exercising. Women’s decisions, in particular, are influenced by this benefit (72% versus 61% of men). • Reducing stress (60%) and fighting aging (45%) are other oft-cited health benefits. Again, women are even more likely than men are to cite these as major factors. Improved Appearance • In many ways a health benefit in itself, controlling weight is a major reason for exercise, cited by six in ten (60%). This benefit is equally important to both men and women and across age groups. • Nearly half (48%) also say “looking good” is a major reason why they exercise. This reason is mentioned more frequently by women (54%) than by men (42%). Personal Satisfaction • Sometimes the reasons for exercising are not specific to a particular benefit, but rather deal with the way exercising makes you feel in general. Seven in ten (71%) of Americans over age 50 say “feeling good about themselves” is a major reason why they exercise. © 2002 AARP Page 51
Exercise Motivators • Similarly, close to six in ten (57%) exercise to “feel in control of their lives.” Women are especially likely to do so (61% versus 53% of men). • Many exercisers gain personal pleasure from the increased fitness and energy levels that come with physical activity. They are major reasons for exercising, according to 72% and 69% of the respondents. • Finally, about three in ten (28%) say the benefit of an improved sex life is a major reason they continue to exercise. Men are particularly likely to say this a major benefit (37% versus 20% of women), as are 50-59 year-olds (35% versus 19% of 70-79 year-olds). Opportunity for Fun and Socializing • Many Americans list chances to have fun and to socialize as major reasons for exercising. About half (53%) say “having fun” is a major reason, and one in three (34%) say socializing with others is an important reason why they exercise. • Interestingly, although most of the benefits mentioned previously were similarly important across the age groups, having fun and socializing is more important to adults as they get older. Adults age 70-79 are notably more likely than their younger counterparts to say having fun and socializing are major reasons for exercising. © 2002 AARP Page 52
Page 2 and 3: Exercise Attitudes and Behaviors: A
Page 4 and 5: © 2002 AARP Table of Contents Tabl
Page 6 and 7: Introduction and Method Overview In
Page 8 and 9: About RoperASW Introduction and Met
Page 10 and 11: Key Findings Most Americans age 50-
Page 12 and 13: Key Findings The Infirm: This group
Page 14 and 15: Perceived Importance of Various Exe
Page 16 and 17: Attitudes and Knowledge Regarding E
Page 18 and 19: Attitudes and Knowledge Regarding E
Page 20 and 21: Base: Total respondents Self-Rated
Page 22 and 23: Characteristics of the Healthy •
Page 24 and 25: Characteristics of the Healthy Heal
Page 26 and 27: Characteristics of the Healthy Perc
Page 28 and 29: Frequency Have Exercised Throughout
Page 30 and 31: Frequency Have Exercised Throughout
Page 32 and 33: Characteristics of the Healthy Whet
Page 34 and 35: Whether Have Ever Smoked (by Gender
Page 36 and 37: Overall Satisfaction With Life Char
Page 38 and 39: Overall Satisfaction With Life (by
Page 40 and 41: Current Physical Activity Among Ame
Page 42 and 43: Types/Frequency of Exercise Current
Page 44 and 45: Specific Physical Activities Engage
Page 46 and 47: Types of Moderate Exercise Current
Page 48 and 49: Types of Vigorous Exercise Current
Page 50 and 51: Where Exercise Current Physical Act
Page 54 and 55: Major Reasons Exercise - % Who Say
Page 56 and 57: Chief Motivators to Start Exercise
Page 58 and 59: Exercise Motivators Interest In Var
Page 60 and 61: Interest In Acquiring Various Exerc
Page 62 and 63: Inexperience/Lack of Knowledge Barr
Page 64 and 65: Physical Conditions Which Interfere
Page 66 and 67: Barriers to Exercise Barriers to Ex
Page 68 and 69: Exercise Opportunities In Local Com
Page 82 and 83: Focus on “Socializers” Attitude
Page 84 and 85: Mind & Body Attitudes Toward Health
Page 86 and 87: The Infirm Attitudes Toward Health
Page 88 and 89: Unmotivateds Attitudes Toward Healt
Page 90 and 91: Hectics Attitudes Toward Health and
Page 92 and 93: Demography: Base: Total respondents
Page 94 and 95: Section 1: Introduction and Screene
Page 96 and 97: 5 Appendix A: Annotated Questionnai
Page 98 and 99: 8 9 7A Appendix A: Annotated Questi
Page 100 and 101: 10B 10C 10D Appendix A: Annotated Q
Page 102 and 103:
11B 11C 11D Appendix A: Annotated Q
Page 104 and 105:
12B Appendix A: Annotated Questionn
Page 106 and 107:
15 You don’t have a safe place to
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D9. D10. Appendix A: Annotated Ques
Page 110 and 111:
Appendix A: Annotated Questionnaire
Page 112 and 113:
Section 3: Programs and Services in
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Exercise Attitudes and Behaviors: A Survey of Adults Age 50-79 - Aarp

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