Social support for exercise among elderly women in Canada

New evidence suggests that insufficient social support for exercise in late life is a key barrier to participation among older adults. The purpose of this study was to explore the origins of social support for late life exercise among Vancouver women over age 70. Survey data on 327 community-dwelling women from age 70 to 98 examined perceived sources of support in four contexts: physician approval, family athleticism, encouragement from any individual and peer interest in fitness. Half of the subjects reported positive support for exercise coming from friends, family and at least one encouraging adult. However, almost 40% of the respondents were unsure if their physician would even approve of exercise and another 25% reported that their physician would strongly disapprove. Best predictors of late life social support to exercise were: (i) childhood encouragement in sport activities; (ii) current exercise level; (iii) larger family size; and (iv) younger age. Recollections of childhood encouragement perhaps provided women with the confidence to seek out the support they need to be active in their older years. Women who need incentives and companionship for more active lifestyles may best find these in the exercise setting itself.