Abstract:
This study investigated the decision making process, definition, and patterns of exercise
as well as the factors relating to proper exercise among urban elderly. Both qualitative and
quantitative studies had been carried out. The qualitative study was implemented by collecting
data through the use of indepth interviews with 17 older people. The data were organized and
analyzed for relevancy, and then final conclusions made based on the evidence. In regards to the
quantitative study, the data were collected through the use of interviews with 320 older persons by
using structured interviewing schedules. The determinants of proper exercise were analyzed by
using binary logistic regression.
The qualitative evidences showed various aspects of the meanings of exercise given
by the elderly including health, social and daily living aspects. The exercise patterns performed
included both single and multiple methods. There were 3 types of decision making process: the
complicated process, the non-complicated process or the simple process, and immediate decision
making without searching for any information. The quantitative findings showed that only 37
percent of the sampled elderly performed proper exercise. The results of the analysis of
relationships between the factors and proper exercise when controlling for other factors showed
a significant relationship between proper exercise and the following factors: perceived selfefficacy,
outcome expectation, gender, educational level, daily duty and having abnormal
symptoms. The high level of perceived efficacy and outcome expectation, no abnormal
symptoms, daily duty performing within a specific time-period, secondary education level, and
being male increased the chance of performing proper exercise among the elderly (Odds ratios
= 10.87, 7.98, 3.06, 3.00, 2.52 and 2.01, respectively). While the moderate level of income
decreased the chance of performing proper exercise compared with the level of no income.
The findings suggest that the promoting of proper exercise among elderly should
be focused on the ideas and practices relevant to their definitions of exercise and social
values of exercise as well as the development of perceived self-efficacy and positive
outcome expectancy of performing exercise.