ATTITUDE AND ENDURING INVOLVEMENT OF OLDER ADULTS IN STRUCTURED PROGRAMS OF PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY

The purpose of this paper is to measure the influence of the affective attitudinal domain upon the intentions of a group of older adults par ticipating in structured programs of physical activity offered in a co mmunity recreation setting. The subjects were 118 seniors participatin g in either a fitness, aqua-fitness, or golf program in metropolitan O ttawa. The group comprised of 65 women and 53 men were, in the most pa rt, between 55 and 70 years of age. A questionnaire measuring attitude towards physical activity was developed. A stepwise regression analys is of intention to participate on attitudes showed that most of the va riance in intention (69.0%) was explained by the variable ''good/benef icial,'' i.e., seniors perceived the programs as being good and benefi cial to them. It is recommended that further investigation of affectiv e factors related to attitude be carried out to develop strategies to maintain seniors' involvement in physical activity programs.