Psychological predictors of regular walking by sedentary older women

Abstract

Predictors of change in physical activity over two years were examined in a community sample of 67 sedentary, older women (mean age = 71, SD = 6.9). The study contained three hypotheses. The first stated that sedentary, female participants who adopted and maintained physical activity over two years (Adopters) would have higher mean self-efficacy, social support and psychological well-being scores at baseline than sedentary, female participants who did not adopt activity (Non-Adopters). The second and third hypotheses stated that Adopters would show significant increases in self-efficacy, would lose more weight and would increase high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels after two years of intervention, as compared to Non-Adopters.;Thirty-eight percent of the cohort adopted and maintained low intensity daily walking. Adoption and maintenance of activity were predicted by higher levels of self-efficacy (p =.006) and psychological well-being (p =.02) and were associated with a greater weight loss ({dollar}-{dollar}8.8 lbs., SD = 10.3, vs. +0.5 lbs SD = 9.6, p =.004).;This study demonstrates that self-efficacy and psychological well-being are associated with a greater probability of adopting and maintaining physical activity for sedentary, older women and that such activity is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk. In view of the particular importance of weight loss and maintenance to the public health, and the limited success that has been achieved to date with respect to weight maintenance, these findings may be of interest to clinicians who design weight intervention programs.