Implications
Results from this study highlight some potential areas for
targeted interventions. Women and older adults were more likely
to exercise at home than other groups—possibly as a result of
mobility and transportation limitations, family responsibilities, or
fear of crime that pose challenges to being physically active outside
the home. Interventions aiming to increase physical activity in these
groups may benefit from promoting home-based activities (e.g.,
Perri et al., 1997). Also, the fact that adults ages 21–29 years were
more likely to exercise with friends and acquaintances than other
age groups suggests that programs designed for young adults
should utilize peer-oriented strategies and activities (e.g., Sallis et
al., 1999). Lastly, individuals with lower levels of education were
more like to exercise with family members. Given the high costs of
childcare, interventions targeting this at-risk group should promote
child and family-feasible physical activities (e.g., Watson et al.,
2005)