Physical activity preferences of middle-aged and older adults: A communityanalysis

Physical activity interventions are most effective when they are tailored t o individual preferences. This study examined preferences for exercising on one's own with some instruction vs. in a class in 1,820 middle-aged and 1, 485 older adults. Overall, 69% of middle-aged and 67% of older adults prefe rred to exercise on their own with some instruction rather than in an exerc ise class. The study identified subgroups-5 of middle-aged and 6 of older a dults-whose preferences for exercising on their own with some instruction r anged from 33-85%. Less educated women younger than 56, healthy women 65-71 , and older men reporting higher stress levels were most likely to prefer c lasses. All other men and most women preferred exercising on their own. The identification of these subgroups enables us to tailor exercise recommenda tions to the preferences of middle-aged and older adults, with increased ra tes of physical activity adoption and maintenance a likely result.