Purpose: Regular physical activity in elderly adults can facilitate healthy aging, improve functional capacity, and prevent disease. However, the determinants of regular physical activity in elderly adults are poorly understood. The present study attempts to identify the determinants of physical activity level meeting a numerical objective of daily steps in the field of physical activity/exercise of the Healthy Japan 21 among elderly Japanese. Methods: A prospective research design was used in the present study. Data were collected as part of the epidemiological study on physical activity and health of elderly adults in Nakanojo Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture. One hundred thirty-seven elderly adults completed a questionnaire measuring the following factors in June 2002: Demographic and biological factors (gender, age, marital status, and BMI), behavioral factors (cigarette smoking habits, alcohol consumption habits), a psychological factor (self-efficacy for exercise), social factors (social support for exercise, medical professionals' recommendation for exercise), and an environmental factor (perceived neighborhood environments for exercise). Data of daily steps as physical activity level were collected using an electronic pedometer with an acceleration sensor from July 2002 to July 2003. The physical activity level was divided into two groups: The high activity group were those who met a numerical objective of daily steps, and the low activity group were those who did not meet a numerical objective of daily steps. Chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the determinants of objectively measured physical activity. Results: Forty-seven percent of participants in the present study were designated as being in the high activity group, and 53% were in the low activity group. Chi-square and t-test analyses revealed significant relationships between meeting a numeral objective of daily steps and age (p<0.01) and self-efficacy for exercise (p<0.01). Logistic regression analyses showed that the high activity group was more likely (OR=1.16) to report greater self-efficacy and more likely (OR=1.43) to report positive evaluation for neighborhood environments than the low activity group. Conclusions: By accurately understanding the determinants of physical activity, health promotion professionals may be able to improve physical activity promotion efforts. Results of the present study will be useful for the design of physical activity interventions. Interventions to promote physical activity in elderly adults should endeavor to boost self-efficacy perceptions regarding exercise, and increase awareness of appropriate neighborhood environments for exercise.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.25/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE