EXERCISE SCHEMA AND EXERCISE REPORTED BY OLDER ADULTS FROM THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF MONTERREY MEXICO

Abstract

Objective: to explore if older adults have physical exercise related self-schemas and if so it reflexes in their behavior, as an opportunity for nursing to work towards the restructuring of these schemas given that in Monterrey elders who exercise are scarce. It was hypothesized: exerciser schematic elders would report exercise regularly. Methodology: this descriptive study comprised of 267 older adults (109 men and 158 women), randomly selected from two communities from the metropolitan area of Monterrey México, from February to September 2003. Results: self descriptions of 111 (41.57%) participants felt under the exercise self-schema category; they reported walking significantly more time compared with aschematic and non-classified participants (Chi2 56.33; gl.2, p<.001). 38% (100) exercised according to recommended time. Conclusions: older adults showed congruence between their self-schemas and self reported physical exercise. Exercise among this population is low. Strategies toward the development of self-schemas have the potential for adopting an exercise health behavior in older adults; therefore to cope better with challenges of aging.