tance of examining quality of life from a theoretical perspective.
If research in this area is to move beyond basic
descriptive associations between activity and the many indicators
of quality living, future research must incorporate
these indicators into a conceptually practical and meaningful
framework. Adopting an operational definition of this
outcome that relates to one’s perception of satisfaction with
valued domains of life is preferred for at least two reasons.
First, elevating quality of life to the level of a psychological
construct will facilitate the development of theory and promote
the examination of potential mechanisms that may underlie
the relationship between physical activity and enhanced
quality of life in older adults. Second, a more
comprehensive examination of both mediating and moderating
variables will have significant implications for the design,
implementation, and promotion of physical activity
programs. In doing so, programs will help to fill an important
need in public health echoed by The Gerontological Society
of America’s motto “Adding life to years, not just
more years to life!”