title: An ecological model of predictors of stages of change for physical activity in Greek older adults.
abstract: This study examined the usefulness of an ecological model in predicting stages of change for physical activity in Greek older adults. Three hundred and eighteen Greek older adults (n=168 males; n=150 females) completed questionnaires measuring a range of personal, psycho-social and environmental characteristics. The ecological model consisted of personal (gender, age, body mass index and perceived health), psycho-social (barrier self-efficacy and number of friends exercising) and environmental (the presence of sidewalks, heavy traffic, hills, unattended dogs and frequently observing others' exercising) predictors. The model explained 51.10% of the variance; more than that explained by any of the individual classes of predictors in isolation. Number of friends exercising was a particularly salient predictor. The findings may enhance understanding of some of the reasons for the high prevalence of pre-contemplation in this population. The information may have implications for the design of effective exercise interventions.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. C.Thogersen@bham.ac.uk
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thøgersen-Ntoumani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D011584:Psychology; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires