Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Trajectory of declines in physical activity in community-dwelling older women: social cognitive influences.

Publication ,  Journal Article
McAuley, E; Hall, KS; Motl, RW; White, SM; Wójcicki, TR; Hu, L; Doerksen, SE
Published in: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
September 2009

Studies examining physical activity behavior suggest that activity levels decline with age. Such declines are particularly problematic among older adults in light of the research suggesting a protective effect of physical activity on numerous physical health outcomes associated with independent living. Despite a growing recognition of the importance of a physically active lifestyle, little is known about the role of demographic and psychosocial variables on this trajectory of change. In this study, the roles played by outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and functional limitations on changes in physical activity levels over a 2-year period in older women were assessed using latent growth curve modeling. Data were obtained from 249 community-dwelling older women (M age = 68.12, n = 81 Black, and n = 168 White). Demographic, health status, and psychosocial data were collected via self-report upon entry into the study. Self-reported physical activity was assessed at baseline and again at 12 and 24 months. As expected, physical activity declined over the 2-year period. Self-efficacy demonstrated an indirect association with the trajectory of decline in physical activity through functional limitations. Importantly, the pattern of relationships appears independent of demographic factors and chronic health conditions.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci

DOI

EISSN

1758-5368

Publication Date

September 2009

Volume

64

Issue

5

Start / End Page

543 / 550

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Environment
  • Self Efficacy
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Physical Fitness
  • Motor Activity
  • Models, Psychological
  • Middle Aged
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Gerontology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
McAuley, E., Hall, K. S., Motl, R. W., White, S. M., Wójcicki, T. R., Hu, L., & Doerksen, S. E. (2009). Trajectory of declines in physical activity in community-dwelling older women: social cognitive influences. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci, 64(5), 543–550. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbp049
McAuley, Edward, Katherine S. Hall, Robert W. Motl, Siobhan M. White, Thomas R. Wójcicki, Liang Hu, and Shawna E. Doerksen. “Trajectory of declines in physical activity in community-dwelling older women: social cognitive influences.J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 64, no. 5 (September 2009): 543–50. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbp049.
McAuley E, Hall KS, Motl RW, White SM, Wójcicki TR, Hu L, et al. Trajectory of declines in physical activity in community-dwelling older women: social cognitive influences. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009 Sep;64(5):543–50.
McAuley, Edward, et al. “Trajectory of declines in physical activity in community-dwelling older women: social cognitive influences.J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci, vol. 64, no. 5, Sept. 2009, pp. 543–50. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp049.
McAuley E, Hall KS, Motl RW, White SM, Wójcicki TR, Hu L, Doerksen SE. Trajectory of declines in physical activity in community-dwelling older women: social cognitive influences. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009 Sep;64(5):543–550.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci

DOI

EISSN

1758-5368

Publication Date

September 2009

Volume

64

Issue

5

Start / End Page

543 / 550

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Environment
  • Self Efficacy
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Physical Fitness
  • Motor Activity
  • Models, Psychological
  • Middle Aged
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Gerontology