CONSIDERATION OF OLDER ADULTS PREFERENCES FOR FORMAT OF PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY

Most community-based physical activity interventions for older adults prescribe class-based activities that may not appeal to everyone. This paper describes physical activity format preferences in a sample of 9 8 older adults (mean age = 76 +/- 8 years) enrolled in an exercise pro motion program encouraging participation in class-based activities off ered by the community; the study explores how these preferences are re lated to activity adoption and maintenance. Thirty-four percent of res pondents preferred to exercise individually, 28% preferred to exercise in a group, and 39% had no preference. Those who preferred exercising individually were less likely to adopt a new class than those who pre ferred to exercise in a group and those who had no preference (p < .01 ). Programs taking into account individual preferences may be more suc cessful than those offering specific formats.