RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-REPORTED AND PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF EXERCISE BEHAVIOR IN OLDER WOMEN

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self -reported exercise behavior and physiological indicators of exercise b ehavior (body composition and oxygen consumption measures) in older wo men. Three self-report exercise behavior instruments were administered in counterbalanced order. Body mass index and sums of skinfold thickn esses were used as measures of body composition. Oxygen consumption wa s measured using a metabolic cart during a treadmill test while women walked at approximately 70% of their heart rate reserve. Fifty-nine wo men participated (68.7 +/- 6.0 years). Results showed that self-report ed exercise behavior was moderately related to body composition measur es. However, predicted maximal oxygen consumption was only weakly rela ted to self-reported exercise behavior.