Research on physical activity and exercise in the elderly is limited. This study used the Participation Motivation Questionnaire for Older Adults (PMQOA) to assess reasons for engaging in regular physical activity of participants at the 2007 Huntsman World Senior Games. The 259 subjects ranged from ages 50 to 85 years and were divided into tertiles based on frequency of exercise, determined by self reported weekly exercise time and days for further comparison. The most commonly reported reasons for exercise were to stay healthy, keep physically fit, and stay in shape. A previously conducted factor analysis on the PMAOQ revealed six underlying factors given for engaging in regular exercise: social, fitness, recognition, challenge/benefits, medical and involvement. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences in reasons for exercise between exercise tertiles and three factors; social, fitness, and challenge/benefits. There were also significant differences in reasons given for exercise between gender for the medical and social factors. Bivariate correlations indicated associations between both fitness perceptions and BMI with some PMQOA factors. Additionally, significant correlations were found between the six PMQOA factors, the strongest being between challenge/benefits and recognition, involvement, and social.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between media use and body image in senior citizens. This study specifically targeted older people who participate in regular physical activity. Seniors participating in the 2006 Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah were surveyed concerning current body image and total media use. The sample included 691 participants. Lower body image scores were recorded among seniors who watched greater amounts of television. Magazine readership and body image displayed no relationship among men or women. Total media use did not influence body image scores among seniors. Male participants exhibited a stronger relationship than female participants between television use and low body image scores. Results indicated that males were vulnerable to messages targeting body image in a similar way to that of females. The findings of this study suggest that individuals may still be influenced by ultra thin images prevalent in media well into their older years.