RECAPTURING THE PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY EXPERIENCES OF THE OLD - A STUDY OF3 WOMEN

Few studies have tried to describe in detail the actual lifetime exerc ise experiences of very old women. In this paper, in-depth, guided lif e-course interviews with three women born in or before 1900 are used t o shed light upon the social forces affecting the physical activities of young girls before the turn of the century. The late-life exercise patterns of these very old women appear to be rooted in very different ways to their past. However, the information gleaned from the intervi ews supports the early activation hypothesis that young girls at the t urn of the century who were afforded opportunities and social support to develop physical skill in sport-type activities, or were physically challenged in domestic or farm labor, still appreciate and take advan tage of the health-promoting aspects of exercise over 80 years later.