title: Associations among physician advice, physical activity, and socio-demographic groups in older Spanish adults.
abstract: This study examined the relationship between medical advice to engage in physical activity with type of demand required by physical activity and demographic variables. A cross-sectional study was developed, featuring a questionnaire on physicians' advice, and type of demand. The questionnaire was completed by a probability and nationwide sample of older adults in Spain (n = 933, M = 74.1, range 65-93), randomly selected using multistage sampling. More physically active older adults have, more often than the less active, received physicians' advice to engage in physical activity. There is a significant relationship between medical advice and type of demand (p < .01) and age (p < .05). However, no relationship was found between physician medical advice and gender, social class, or income. Physicians can effectively promote physical activity among sedentary older adults through appropriate advice. Consequently, health authorities should promote physicians' advising older patients to pursue physical activity.
authors: Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain.
authors: María Martín
authors: MM
authors: Rodríguez
authors: Jesús Martínez Del
authors: JM
authors: Castillo
authors: José Antonio Serrano
authors: JA
authors: Sánchez
authors: José Emilio
authors: JE
authors: Jiménez-Beatty Navarro
authors: José Antonio
authors: JA
authors: Santacruz
authors: Antonio Rivero
authors: AR
authors: Herráiz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires