Sex- and age-linked determinants of physical activity in adulthood.

One barrier to increasing participation rates among Canadian adults is limited knowledge concerning the determinants of regular physical activity. 382 volunteers (aged 16-82) completed a questionnaire examining current exercise behaviour and beliefs, as well as developmental influences on participation. Although the sexes were similar in overall activity level, differences in preferred activities, influence of marriage and parenthood, and personal motives for exercising, indicate fitness promotion efforts should be sex-specific. Fitness-related messages should also be age-related, based on the findings that activity preferences and influences on participation varied with life stage. The present findings support the assumption that adulthood participation is related to skill acquisition and positive experiences during youth. Specific directions for fitness promotion and further research were suggested.