Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to explore the relationships between personal characteristics and elderly exercise behavior in Talingchan District, Bangkok and to study the need for providing and promoting physical activity among the elderly. The study involved 400 elderly people living in Talingchan District, Bangkok. The research was conducted with mixed methodology through the application of a questionnaire and SPSS that involved statistical approaches, namely, frequency distribution, percentage, chi-square, mean, and standard deviation. An interview was used for five experts from Talingchan Administrative District Office, two experts in Sports Management and two experts in elderly care. The findings from exploring the relationships between personal characteristics and elderly exercise behavior indicated that exercise frequency was related to income, and exercise duration was related to age, educational level, and income; whereas exercise period was related to gender, age, educational level, and income, while type of exercise was related to gender, age, educational level, income, and marital status. The findings from studying the need for providing physical activities indicated overall needs at a high level. There was a need for location, equipment and facilities, service staff and management. The findings from promoting physical activities are 1) regarding location, equipment and facility, participants preferred pleasant and serene places, with standard exercise equipment and a convenient facility, 2) on service staff, they must be experts in the field, capable of conducting exercise, 3) on management, budget should be set aside for allocating when needed with the best approach that requires the smallest budget as well as set up policy and clear performance indicators, 4) and exercise activities should be appropriate for the elderly, such as light activities. This research recommends Talingchan District to focus on developing more efficient facilities a s well as enhancing staff's potential through the commitment to arrange physical activities for the elderly, including formulating and providing additional management funds as well as creating numerous activities to promote exercise habits among the elderly.