J Korean Acad Nurs. 2008 Feb;38(1):101-110. Korean.
Published online Feb 28, 2008.
Copyright © 2008 Korean Society of Nursing Science
Original Article

A Study on Exercise Behavior, Exercise Environment and Social Support of Middle-Aged Women

Myoung-Ae Choe,1 Yang Sook Hah,1 Keum Soon Kim,1 Myungsun Yi,1 and Jung-An Choi2
    • 1Professor, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
    • 2Full-time Instructor, Department of Nursing, Kkottongnae Hyundo University of Social Welfare, Cheongwon, Korea.
Received October 15, 2007; Accepted November 28, 2007.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify exercise environments and social support associated with exercise behaviors in middle-aged women

Methods

Subjects were 207 women aged between 41 and 59 yr in an urban community. The research instruments utilized in this study were exercise stages, exercise environments, exercise partners and social support scale. Subjects were given a self-report questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the SPSS Win program.

Results

The subjects were in the stages of precontemplation (3.4%), contemplation (25.1%), preparation (40.6%), action (5.8%), and maintenance (25.1%). Subjects who engaged in regular exercise were 30.9%. The mean score of the exercise environment was 6.34. The mean score of social support was 21.28, and 65.7% of subjects had exercise partners. The score of the exercise environment was significantly associated with the exercise stage (p=.01). The number of exercise partners of regular exercise groups was significantly greater than that of non-regular exercise groups (p=.00). The score of social support of regular exercise groups was significantly greater than that of non-regular exercise groups (p=.00). The score of social support was significantly associated with the exercise stage (p=.00).

Conclusion

Exercise environments and social support need to be considered in planning exercise programs to improve exercise behavior among middle-aged women.

Keywords
Exercise; Environment; Social support; Middle aged; Women

Tables

Table 1
Characteristics of the Subjects (N=207)

Table 2
Exercise Behavior, Exercise Environment, and Social Supports of the Subjects

Table 3
Differences in Exercise Environment and Social Support between Regular Exercise Group and Non-regular Exercise Group

Table 4
Differences in Exercise Environment and Social Support by Exercise Stages

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