Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Physical Exercise Among Elderly People in Enugu Metropolis, Nigerian

Figures & Tables

Demographic Characteristics of older People participants (n = 365).

Knowledge of elderly people on physical exercise (n = 365).

ITEMS	FREQUENCY	PER CENT
Your understanding of regular physical exercise
– Means any physical activity*	63	17.3
– Planned, structured and repetitive physical activity*	164	44.9
– means jogging once in a while	6	1.6
– Means watching games	1	0.3
– Means always sitting down	3	0.8
– Involves jogging, brisk walking, swimming and spots*	278	76.2
Regular physical exercise can help
– Promote total body health*	150	41.1
– Prevent diseases like diabetes mellitus and obesity*	247	67.7
– Improve mood*	50	13.7
– Weaken bone and joint	8	2.2
– Boost energy	19	5.2
– Cause pain and swelling	17	4.7
– Improve sleep*	260	71.2
– Control weight*	278	76.2
– Promote mental health*	75	20.5
How long should regular physical exercise be done
– 30 mins a day*	274	75.1
– Once 1 week	71	19.5
– Once in a while	9	2.5
– Only when you add weight	5	1.4
– No response	6	1.6
Physical exercise is for which persons
– Young individuals only	3	.8
– Elderly people only	6	1.6
– Both young and elderly people*	348	95.3
– No response	8	2.2
Overall knowledge
– Good (knowledge score > 50%)	266	72.9
– Poor (knowledge score ≤ 50%)	99	27.1

[i] * Indicates the correct response which implies knowledge.

Attitude of older people towards physical exercise (n = 365).

ITEMS	SD	D	A	SA	M ± SD
Feel exercise is necessary for elderly people	3	1	85	276	3.74 ± 0.50*
Feel elderly people who exercise are healthier and stronger	3	7	143	212	3.55 ± 0.58*
Feel exercise is for sick people	145	213	6	1	1.62 ± 0.53
Feel regular exercise is for fat people only	195	154	15	1	1.51 ± 0.59
Feel regular exercise is a waste of one’s time	205	153	5	2	1.46 ± 0.56
Exercise only when I feel am getting fat	88	246	29	2	1.85 ± 0.57
My regular work is an adequate substitute for regular exercise	50	236	66	13	2.12 ± 0.67
Exercise schedule is difficult for me to maintain	28	89	216	32	2.69 ± 0.74*
Daily exercise takes away my strength and energy	70	256	34	5	1.93 ± 0.58
Feel exercise is not beneficial and important for me	199	158	6	2	1.48 ± 0.56
Overall Attitude					3.26 ± 0.27
Attitude grouped	Frequency		Percent
1. Positive	358		98.1
2. Negative	7		1.9

[i] Item with Mean (M) > 2.5 was judged to be elderly attitude; * Indicates item with mean (M) > 2.5.

Practice of physical exercise (n = 365).

ITEMS	FREQUENCY	PER CENT
Engaged in regular physical exercises
– Yes	196	53.7
– No	169	46.3
What kind of exercise do you do (n = 196)
– Morning jogging	116	59.2
– Brisk walking	118	60.2
– Running	3	1.5
– Cycling	17	8.7
– Skipping	16	8.2
– Sports	29	14.8
– Swimming	23	11.7
– Stretches	28	14.3
*If yes, how often do you exercise in a week (n = 196)*
– Once	67	34.2
– Thrice	75	38.3
– More than thrice	54	27.6
*How long do you spend exercising in a week (n = 196)*
– <30mins	87	44.4
– 30mins–1hr	105	53.6
– 1–2hrs	2	1.0
– No response	2	1.0
*If not, what prevented you (n = 169)*
– Lack of time	108	63.9
– Lack knowledge of how to exercise	29	17.2
– Exercise is boring	6	3.6
– Tiredness	60	35.5
– Fear of injury	62	36.7
– Lack of group exercise	8	4.7
– Medical conditions	41	24.3
– Work	1	0.6

Relationship between Knowledge and Engagement in Physical Exercise.

	ENGAGE IN REGULAR PHYSICAL EXERCISE			CHI-SQUARE	P-VALUE
	YES	NO	TOTAL
Knowledge of exercise				18.388	.000
3. Good	161(60.5)	105(39.5)	266
4. Poor	35(35.4)	64(64.6)	99