Exercise participation motives in older Asian Indians

The reasons why older Asian Indians participate in exercise and physical activity were investigated (n =226). The reasons for participating in exercise and physical activity rated as most important for the total sample related to maintaining and improving fitness, releasing tension, being part of a group, and keeping healthy. The motives that were reported as least influential to participating in exercise related to wanting to be noticedand having fun. Males placed significantly greater importance on social recognition reasons for participating in exercise and physical activity than did females. Further, a Kruskal-Wallis test showed that older participants rated being popular more importantly than their younger counterparts. The findings, which are discussed in relation to previous literature and cultural traits of Asian Indians, have potential value in designing strategies to encourage older people to participate in exercise and physical activity.