Due to lack of high quality studies and often only one manuscript reporting on a particular determinant , we concluded " insufficient evidence " for most associations between determinants and physical activity or exercise .
Background The health benefits of regular physical activity and exercise have been widely acknowledged .
Unfortunately , a decline in physical activity is observed in older adults .
Knowledge of the determinants of physical activity ( unstructured activity incorporated in daily life ) and exercise ( structured , planned and repetitive activities ) is needed to effectively promote an active lifestyle .
Our aim was to systematic ally review determinants of physical activity and exercise participation among healthy older adults , considering the method ological quality of the included studies .
Changes in activity level in women aged 40–80 years
Objectives The purpose of this study was to report habitual physical activity levels in women and document the change in level of activity and factors affecting this change over a 5-year period . Methods A 5-year prospect i ve cohort design was used . Women aged 40–80 years , living independently in the community , were recruited via the electoral role .  The effects were investigated , first , of age , activity level , history of falls , number of co-morbidities and medications , body mass index and stability at baseline on change in activity level and , second , change in these demographics on activity level over the study period . Results Data from 459 women who completed our study are reported . Only activity level and body mass index at baseline significantly affected change in activity level ( p < 0.000 ) . Change in activity level was not influenced by change in demographics over the study period . The forties and fifties cohorts accounted for the baseline body mass index effect on activity change ( p < 0.04 ) . In the forties cohort , number of medical conditions at base line ( p < 0.03 ) and , in the sixties cohort , increase in number of medical conditions ( p = 0.011 ) affected activity level change . Conclusions Activity level at baseline and body mass index in younger women were most likely to affect change over time . Being unsteady or having already fallen did not stimulate change
Due to lack of high quality studies and often only one manuscript reporting on a particular determinant , we concluded " insufficient evidence " for most associations between determinants and physical activity or exercise .
Background The health benefits of regular physical activity and exercise have been widely acknowledged .
Unfortunately , a decline in physical activity is observed in older adults .
Knowledge of the determinants of physical activity ( unstructured activity incorporated in daily life ) and exercise ( structured , planned and repetitive activities ) is needed to effectively promote an active lifestyle .
Our aim was to systematic ally review determinants of physical activity and exercise participation among healthy older adults , considering the method ological quality of the included studies .