Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Physical exercise has been described as the single most important factor in successful aging. Many types of physical exercise can be done indoors with little or no monetary involvement. Yet a great many do not engage in physical exercise. The objective of this study was to find out the rate of participation in physical exercise of older adults, and to know the factors that hinder older adults from engaging in physical exercise. The study was conducted in Abakaliki of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study population was 1840 older adults aged fifty years or over. The research design was cross-sectional survey design, and involved a sample size of 600. Multistage cluster, stratification and systematic sampling techniques were adopted. Instruments for data collection were questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using modes, means and percentages. Results show that the rate of participation in physical exercise in Abakaliki is very low, at thirteen percent of the older adults. Factor responsible for the low level of engagement in physical exercise include poverty, ignorance, fear, ill-health, laziness, insecurity, and absence of sporting facilities. It is therefore recommended that public awareness creation on the benefits of physical exercise be intensified by health workers and stakeholders in physical well-being; sporting facilities should be provided in various public arenas; clubs should have physical exercise facilities; and customization of exercise facilities should be promoted to cater for individual unique needs.