Psychological, social environmental, and physical environmental variables in explaining physical activity in Korean older adults

The current study investigated the direct and indirect paths of psychological, social environmental, and physical environmental variables in explaining physical activity among Korean older adults. A total of 401 adults aged 65 years old or older (Mage = 75.17 years, SD = ±7.24) were recruited from the Nowon district of northern Seoul. Standardized scales were used to measure physical activity and its related social ecological variables. The results indicated that physical activity was significantly correlated with self-efficacy, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, family support, friend support, availability of facilities, and quality of facilities. All of psychological, social environmental, and physical environmental variables had a significant direct path to explain physical activity. In addition, self-efficacy and perceived benefits significantly mediated the relationship between family support and physical activity, and while the relationship between availability of facilities and physical activity was substantially mediated by perceived barriers. The current study implies that application of the social ecological model is warranted to provide a more concrete association of the contextual factors to explain physical activity and to design a more effective intervention for promoting physical activity among older adults.