Associations among Physician Advice, Physical Activity, and Socio-demographic Groups in Older Spanish Adults

作者：Martin Rodriguez Maria; Martinez del Castillo Jesus; Serrano Sanchez Jose Antonio; Jimenez Beatty Navarro Jose Emilio; Antonio Santacruz Jose; Rivero Herraiz Antonio

来源：Canadian Journal on Aging, 2012, 31(3): 349-356.

DOI：10.1017/S0714980812000190

• Spanish older adults
• physical activity
• physician advice
• cross-sectional study

This study examined the relationship between medical advice to engage in physical activity with type of demand required by physical activity and demographic variables. A cross-sectional study was developed, featuring a questionnaire on physicians' advice, and type of demand. The questionnaire was completed by a probability and nationwide sample of older adults in Spain (n = 933, M = 74.1, range 65-93), randomly selected using multistage sampling. More physically active older adults have, more often than the less active, received physicians' advice to engage in physical activity. There is a significant relationship between medical advice and type of demand (p < .01) and age (p < .05). However, no relationship was found between physician medical advice and gender, social class, or income. Physicians can effectively promote physical activity among sedentary older adults through appropriate advice. Consequently, health authorities should promote physicians' advising older patients to pursue physical activity.

• 出版日期2012