Physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes

Background: The aim of this study was to describe physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes. Methods: Three hundred and ninety residents (65 years and older) from 11 Bloemfontein old age homes participated in the study. All participants gave i...

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Main Authors: P.E. Pienaar, M. de Swardt, M. de Vries, H. Roos, G Joubert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2004-09-01
Series:South African Family Practice
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Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/114
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author P.E. Pienaar
M. de Swardt
M. de Vries
H. Roos
G Joubert
author_facet P.E. Pienaar
M. de Swardt
M. de Vries
H. Roos
G Joubert
author_sort P.E. Pienaar
collection DOAJ
description Background: The aim of this study was to describe physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes. Methods: Three hundred and ninety residents (65 years and older) from 11 Bloemfontein old age homes participated in the study. All participants gave informed oral consent before answering a structured questionnaire. Results: The participants had a good general knowledge of the influence of physical activity on life quality, but had less knowledge of the influence of exercise on cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. Most of the participants (80.5%) enjoyed exercising and 60% had a positive attitude towards exercise. Most participants (62.8%) felt that they had not received enough information about physical activity from their doctor. Few participants (3.8%) took part in prescribed exercise programmes. Conclusions: The participants had a positive attitude towards physical activity, but lacked sufficient knowledge of the practice of physical fitness to be able to understand adequate physical fitness programmes. Elderly people who do not exercise because of a specific health problem may be motivated to exercise in a way that improves quality of life.
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series South African Family Practice
spelling doaj-art-db8e34d0f3c549ea97cbd2c7e4015f2c2025-08-20T03:07:21ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042004-09-0146810.1080/20786204.2004.10873121113Physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homesP.E. Pienaar0M. de Swardt1M. de Vries2H. Roos3G Joubert4University of the Free StateUniversity of the Free StateUniversity of the Free StateUniversity of the Free StateUniversity of the Free StateBackground: The aim of this study was to describe physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes. Methods: Three hundred and ninety residents (65 years and older) from 11 Bloemfontein old age homes participated in the study. All participants gave informed oral consent before answering a structured questionnaire. Results: The participants had a good general knowledge of the influence of physical activity on life quality, but had less knowledge of the influence of exercise on cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. Most of the participants (80.5%) enjoyed exercising and 60% had a positive attitude towards exercise. Most participants (62.8%) felt that they had not received enough information about physical activity from their doctor. Few participants (3.8%) took part in prescribed exercise programmes. Conclusions: The participants had a positive attitude towards physical activity, but lacked sufficient knowledge of the practice of physical fitness to be able to understand adequate physical fitness programmes. Elderly people who do not exercise because of a specific health problem may be motivated to exercise in a way that improves quality of life.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/114fitnesselderlyknowledgesurveyold-age home
spellingShingle P.E. Pienaar
M. de Swardt
M. de Vries
H. Roos
G Joubert
Physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes
South African Family Practice
fitness
elderly
knowledge
survey
old-age home
title Physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes
title_full Physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes
title_fullStr Physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes
title_full_unstemmed Physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes
title_short Physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes
title_sort physical activity knowledge attitudes and practices of the elderly in bloemfontein old age homes
topic fitness
elderly
knowledge
survey
old-age home
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/114
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