Constant Daily Exercise to Keep the Doctor Away: A Study of Adherence to Physical Exercise Using a Gym in Individuals Older Than 55 Years

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the role of using a gym as a mechanism for adherence to regular physical exercise among individuals with aged 55 and over. Methods: This was a grounded theory research design. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews and observations among 15 people who attended the gym regularly and then analyzed via content analysis. Results: Three categories emerged from the present study regarding the adherence to regular physical exercise: (1) meaningful starting points, (2) reinforcement by motivators, and (3) adherence through positive changes. Conclusions: Results of this study can help health policy makers, managers of gyms/fitness centers, and gym instructors to design and implement programmes that will increase adherence to physical exercise for people aged 55 years and older.

Keywords

• physical exercise
• qualitative study
• middle-age people
• older people
• gyms