Patterns and Correlates of Physical Activity among UK Women 40 Years and Older

by

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Topic of the Research1

Research Rationale2

Significance of the Research2

Research Questions2

Literature Research3

Physical Activity3

Physical Activity and Aging4

Determinants of Physical Activity4

Physiological Factors5

Psychosocial Factors5

Social Support5

Accessibility and Safety5

CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY6

Research Methodology6

Data Collection6

Secondary Method6

Primary Data6

Data Analysis7

Participants7

REFERENCES8

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Topic of the Research

The title for the research is “Patterns and Correlates of Physical Activity among UK Women 40 Years and Older”. The research will develop a body of research focusing on the physical activities of women who are of 4o plus age. The research will also identify the patterns and correlation factors of their physical activities. According to various researches, it has been observed that the physical activity of old women tend to decrease as their age increases (Frank & Patla, 2003, 158; Thygerson & Larson, 2006, 112). There are numerous factors highlighted that lead towards a decrease in their physical activities. According to the research conducted by BHF National Centre (2011) for identifying the percentage of women meeting the physical activity guidelines of UK, 23% of old women in England, 24% of old women in Scotland, 26% of women in Wales, and 13% of old women in Northern Ireland have been have been following the physical activity guidelines.

Majority of the old women in United Kingdom have been physically inactivity, which will lead to an increase the average death ration per year in United Kingdom. Regular physical activities reduce the risk of disabilities, and premature death from a number of health issues, which include dementia, heart diseases osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. Thus, there are a number of guidelines and recommendations have been evolved for maintaining public health, emphasizing on developing a lifestyle which will include various physical activities.

Research Rationale

According to a number of national surveys, it has been observed that women have been less involved in physical activities then men. Furthermore, women aging 40 and above 40 years tend to get much more physically inactive. This research is conducted for identifying the factors that affect the physical activity patterns and lead old women towards becoming physically inactive. Furthermore, this research is focused on indentifying patterns of physical activities of old women in order to examine how their lifestyle can be enhanced.

Significance of the Research

The research is based on identifying the patterns and correlations of physical activities in old women. This will help the physicians in identifying what factors lead towards physical inactivity, and identifying the correlations among various factors. Furthermore, the research will help in examining the lifestyle of old women, thereby, providing them with an opportunity to enhance their lifestyle and include activities that will improve their health. Since, old people tend to have lots of problems, physical activities can help them in reducing health issues.

Research Questions

The research will be based on following research questions:

What are the different factors that affect the patterns of physical activity in older women?

What are he benefits of physical activity for older women?

How does the self-efficacy correlates with physical activity of older women?

Literature Research

Physical Activity

Physical activity is referred ...