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When Seniors Exercise Their Confidence Climbs
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Editor's Note:
The authors of
this study have chosen to define "elderly" as persons more than
65 years young. SeniorJournal.com defines elderly as 80 or
older. |
Sept. 6, 02 - The benefits of regular exercise are powerful motivators
for the elderly to continue a physical activity regimen, according to
a new study.
"It is possible that perceiving benefits in fitness outcomes, such as
appearance and weight, communicates to participants that they have
been successful in their exercise regimen," says Glenn S. Brassington,
Ph.D., of the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention.
"This perception may build their confidence that they can be
successful in the future."
The researchers assessed exercise-related self-efficacy, defined as a
person's confidence that he or she can successfully engage in an
exercise program, of 103 elderly people over the age of 65. The study
is published in a supplement to the August American Journal of
Preventive Medicine on physical activity.
When exercise self-efficacy was measured before the participants
started an exercise program, it did not predict which participants
would stick with their regimen. But, when measured as a function of
improvements seen during early participation in the program, exercise
self-efficacy did predict who would still be exercising a year later.
"These results indicate that how confident one is when one starts an
exercise program is less important than how one's confidence grows as
the result of positive outcomes experienced through exercise over
time," Brassington explains.
The elderly participants were prescribed weekly exercise regimens
including two classes and two home sessions a week. Participants were
assigned to one of two exercise classes. One was designed to improve
cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength and the other to improve
flexibility. They also received regular telephone counseling calls,
during which study interviews were conducted.
Improved fitness and appearance, weight loss, increased energy and
better eating habits realized through their exercise regimens
motivated the participants to continue with an exercise program.
Exercise also improved some participants' confidence, sleep patterns,
depression, tension, ability to cope with stress, concentration, mood,
alertness, appetite and stress level, leading them to continue
exercising.
"Public health interventions should focus on building older adults'
confidence that they can succeed at exercising by promoting
improvements in fitness-related variables, such as perceived fitness,
weight, appearance, energy and eating habits," says Brassington.
The study was funded by grants from the National Institute on Aging
and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
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