Due to the global trend o f aging, the health problems o f the elderly have become a
worldwide social problem. The World Health Organization (W H O ) (2014) stated that
physical activity or physical inactivity impacts health. Accordingly, this study explored
the correlation among exercise motivation, constraints, and healthy aging in people over
65 years old in Hsinchu County in Taiwan. In this study, a paper questionnaire was
utilized for collecting data. In total, 580 questionnaires were distributed, and 468 were
returned. Thus, the recovery rate was 80.7%. Further, 25 incomplete questionnaires were
removed, so the questionnaires which could be used for analysis numbered 443 in total.
In this study, statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Product and
Service Solutions (SPSS) 19.0 Windows statistical package. Statistical analyses included
descriptive statistics; a /-test and one-way-ANO VA were also used to investigate whether
there were significant differences among the demographic variables and factors o f elderly
exercise motivation, constraints, and healthy aging. In addition, a Pearson's
product-moment correlation analysis method was used to explore the correlation among
elderly exercise motivation, constraints, and healthy aging; a m ultiple regression method
was used to determine whether elderly exercise motivation and constraints can effectively
predict healthy aging.
The conclusions o f this study were as follow :
1. The research objects o f this questionnaire were comprised from a group o f people
w ith slightly more males than females; the primary age range was 65-70. Most
participants lived in urban parts o f the city. The group’s primary education level was
elementary school or below. Most o f the group members were married and livin g w ith
their families. Most were retired or otherwise without occupation; their general income
was under N T $10,000 per month.
2. As it related to the current exercise behavior and health status o f the participants,
xiv
most engaged in regular exercise, prim arily in the vicinity o f their homes, and walked
w ith friends. A t present, most o f participants have good health status.
3. As it related to their exercise motivation status, the highest motivation factor was
psychological. The lowest motivation was the social interaction factor. Based on the
status o f the exercise constraints, the biggest obstacle was the resource constraint. On the
other hand, the minimum obstacle was interpersonal constraint. As it related to the
benefits o f healthy aging, a primary factor was social/fam ilial relations. The learning
factor was the lowest scoring benefit.
4. There were significant differences between exercise m otivation and two demographic
background variables in particular: area and education. In addition, there were significant
differences between exercise constraints and the factor o f marital status. Finally, there
were differences between healthy aging and the demographic variables o f gender, age,
and area.
5. There was a negative correlation between exercise m otivation and exercise constraints.
Also, there was a positive correlation between exercise m otivation and healthy aging. In
addition, there was a negative correlation between exercise constraints and healthy
aging.
6. The factors o f social interaction and health can effectively predict healthy aging. The
xv
researcher proposes strengthening the exercise motivation and reducing the exercise
constraints o f older adults in Hsinchu County to aid in healthy aging. A t the same time,
the community needs to promote lifelong education in exercise and health, and to
enhance older adults’ ability to learn and be aware o f mental health by increasing their
social participation opportunities. To this end, the researcher has provided suggestions for
government sectors, private enterprises, older adults, and future study.
xvi