Strength training and older women: a cross-sectional study examining factors related to exercise adherence.
BACKGROUND
Despite the recognized health benefits, few older women participate in strength-training exercises.


METHODS
The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to older women's adherence to strength training after participation in the StrongWomen Program, a nationally disseminated community program. Adherence was defined as > or =4 months of twice-weekly strength training. Surveys were sent to 970 program participants from 23 states and to participants' corresponding program leaders. Five-hundred fifty-seven participants responded (57%).


RESULTS
Of respondents who completed surveys (527), 79% (415) adhered to strength training; adherers reported a mean of 14.1 +/- 9.1 months of strength training. Logistic-regression analysis revealed that exercise adherence was positively associated with age (p = .001), higher lifetime physical activity levels (p = .045), better perceived health (p = .003), leader's sports participation (p = .028), and leader's prior experience leading programs (p = .006).


CONCLUSIONS
These data lend insight to factors that may be related to exercise adherence among midlife and older women.
Seguin
Rebecca A
RA
Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
Economos
Christina D
CD
Palombo
Ruth
R
Hyatt
Raymond
R
Kuder
Julia
J
Nelson
Miriam E
ME
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors