Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Role of Gender and Social Class in Physical Activity in Later Life

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Palgrave Handbook of Ageing and Physical Activity Promotion

Abstract

Gender and social class matter when considering physical activity among older people. However, sport and exercise sociologists have devoted scant attention to this topic. That said, there is no lack of attention to this question from those who are interested in health, physical activity, and epidemiologists who recognise that exercise can be an important way to maintain both the psychological and physical health of all, particularly as we age. This chapter will summarise the available research regarding the role of gender and social class, the role that media plays in shaping perceptions of ageing, and provide some recommendations for future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, I., van Sluijs, E. M. F., & Ogilvie, D. (2012). Physical activity and transitioning to retirement: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 43, 329–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bauman, A. E., Reis, R. S., Sallis, J. F., Wells, J. C., Loos, R. J. F., & Martin, B. W. (2012). Correlates of physical activity: Why are some people physically active and others are not? The Lancet, 380, 258–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bøen, H. (2012). Characteristics of senior centre users – And the impact of a group programme on social support and late-life depression. Norsk Epidemiologi, 22(2), 261–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bracy, N. L., Millstein, R. A., Carlson, J. A., Conway, T. L., Sallis, J. F., Saelens, B. E., et al. (2014). Is the relationship between the built environment and physical activity moderated by perceptions of crime and safety? International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity, 11(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-11-24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A., & Knight, T. (2015). Shifts in media images of women appearance and social status from 1960 to 2010: A content analysis of beauty advertisements in two Australian magazines. Journal of Aging Studies, 35, 74–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, J. A., Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Saelens, B. E., Frank, L. D., Kerr, J., et al. (2012). Interactions between psychosocial and built environment factors in explaining older adults’ physical activity. Preventive Medicine: An International Journal Devoted to Practice and Theory, 54(1), 68–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.10.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. (2015). Advertising representations of older people in the United Kingdom and Taiwan: A comparative analysis. The International Journal of Aging, 80, 140–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ҫırak, Y., Yılmaz Yelvar, G. D., Parlak Demir, Y., Dalkınlınҫ, M., Mustafa, K., & Tağıl, S. M. (2015). Age-and sex-related differences in physical fitness and physical activity levels of the physically independent community-dwelling older adults. Turkish Journal of Geriatrics, 18, 273–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, D. O. (1999). Identifying psychological, physiological, and environmental barriers and facilitators to exercise among older low income adults. Journal of Clinical Geropsychology, 5(1), 51–62. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022942913555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Deeg, D. J. H., Haga, H., Yasumura, S., Suzuki, T., Shichita, K., & Shibata, H. (1992). Predictors of a 10-year change in physical, cognitive and social function in Japanese elderly. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 15, 163–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dogra, S., Al-Sahab, B., Manson, J., & Tamim, H. (2015). Aging expectations are associated with physical activity and health among older adults of low socioeconomic status. Journal of Aging & Physical Activity, 23, 180–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dye, C. J., Williams, J. E., Kemper, K. A., McGuire, F. A., & Aybar-Damali, B. (2012). Impacting mediators of change for physical activity among elderly food stamp recipients. Educational Gerontology, 38, 788–798. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2011.645444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, P. M., Murphy, M. H., Gallagher, A. M., & Simpson, E. E. A. (2016). Motives and barriers to physical activity among older adults of different socioeconomic status. Journal of Aging & Physical Activity, 24, 419–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammerback, K., Felias-Christensen, G., & Phelan, E. A. (2012). Evaluation of a telephone-based physical activity promotion program for disadvantaged older adults. Preventing Chronic Disease, 9, E62–E62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hankonen, N., Absetz, P., Ghisletta, P., Renner, B., & Uutela, A. (2010). Gender differences in social cognitive determinants of exercise adoption. Psychology and Health, 25, 55–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440902736972.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, Å. M., Andersen, L. L., Skotte, J., Christensen, U., Mortensen, O. S., Molbo, D., et al. (2014). Social class differences in physical functions in middle-aged men and women. Journal of Aging & Health, 26(1), 88–105. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264313508188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hemingway, H., Stafford, M., Stansfeld, S., Shipley, M., & Marmot, M. (1997). Is the SF-36 a valid measure of change in populations heath? Results from the Whitehall II study. British Medical Journal, 315, 1273–1279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Higgs, P., & Gilleard, C. (2015). Fitness and consumerism in later life. In E. Tulle & C. Phoenix (Eds.), Physical activity in sport in later life (pp. 32–42). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jermyn, D. (2016). Pretty past it? Interrogating the post-feminist makeover of ageing, style and fashion. Feminist Media Studies, 16, 573–589.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, S. A., Moore, L. V., Moore, K., Zagorski, M., Brines, S. J., Diez Roux, A. V., et al. (2015). Disparities in physical activity resource availability in six US regions. Preventive Medicine, 78, 17–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.05.028.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, M. S., Newsom, J. T., McFarland, B. H., & Lu, L. (2001). Demographic and psychosocial correlates of physical activity in late life. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 21(4), 306–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(01)00364-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, A. C., Sallis, J. F., Frank, L. D., Saelens, B. E., Cain, K., Conway, T. L., Chapman, J. E., Ahn, D. K., & Kerr, J. (2011). Aging in neighborhoods differing in walkability and income: Associations with physical activity and obesity in older adults. Social Science & Medicine, 73, 1525–1533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Y. (2005). Gender differences in physical activity and walking among older adults. Journal of Women & Aging, 17, 55–70. https://doi.org/10.1300/J074v17n01_05.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Y., & Levy, S. S. (2011). Gender and income associations in physical activity and blood pressure among older adults. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 8(1), 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manson, J., Ritvo, P., Ardern, C., Weir, P., Baker, J., Jamnik, V., et al. (2013). Tai chi’s effects on health-related fitness of low-income older adults. Canadian Journal on Aging, 32(3), 270–277. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980813000305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien Cousins, S. (1997). Elderly tomboys? Sources of self-efficacy for physical activity in late life. Journal of Aging & Physical Activity, 5, 229–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plow, M. A., Allen, S. M., & Resnik, L. (2011). Correlates of physical activity among low-income older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 30(5), 629–642. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464810375685.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rautio, N., Heikkinen, E., & Ebrahim, S. (2005). Socioeconomic position and its relationship to physical capacity among elderly people living in Jyväskylä, Finland: Five- and ten-year follow-up studies. Social Science & Medicine, 60, 2405–2416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socsimed.2004.11.029.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, T. E. (1998). Portraying older people in advertising. New York: Garland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparkes, A. C. (2015). Ageing and embodied masculinities in physical activity settings: From flesh to theory and back again. In E. Tulle & C. Phoenix (Eds.), Physical activity in sport in later life (pp. 137–148). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Tischer, U., Hartmann-Tews, I., & Combrink, C. (2011). Sport participation of the elderly-the role of gender, age, and social class. European Reviews of Aging & Physical Activity, 8(2), 83–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toto, P. E., Raina, K. D., Holm, M. B., Schlenk, E. A., Rubinstein, E. N., & Rogers, J. C. (2012). Outcomes of a multicomponent physical activity program for sedentary, community-dwelling older adults. Journal of Aging & Physical Activity, 20(3), 363–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trost, S. G., Owen, N., Bauman, A. E., Sallis, J. F., & Brown, W. (2002). Correlates of adults’ participation in physical activity: Review and update. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 34(12), 1996–2001. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200212000-00020.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tulle, E. (2008). Acting your age? Sports science and the aging body. Journal of Aging Studies, 22, 340–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2008.05.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tulle, E., & Dorrer, N. (2012). Back from the brink: Ageing, exercise and health in a small gym. Ageing & Society, 32(7), 1106–1127. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X11000742.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tulle, E., & Krekula, C. (2013). Ageing embodiment and the search for social change. International Journal of Ageing & Later Life, 8(1), 7–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Cauwenberg, J., Van Holle, V., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., Van Dyck, D., & Deforche, B. (2016). Neighborhood walkability and health outcomes among older adults: The mediating role of physical activity. Health & Place, 37, 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.11.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Holle, V., Van Cauwenberg, J., Van Dyck, D., Deforche, B., Van de Weghe, N., & De Bourdeaudhuij, I. (2014). Relationship between neighborhood walkability and older adults’ physical activity: Results from the Belgian environmental physical activity study in seniors (BEPAS seniors). International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity, 11, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-014-0110-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vincent, J. A., Tulle, E., & Bond, J. (2008). The anti-ageing enterprise: Science, knowledge, expertise, rhetoric and values. Journal of Aging Studies, 22(4), 291–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2008.05.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, M. N., King, A. C., Sallis, J. F., Frank, L. D., Saelens, B. E., Conway, T. L., et al. (2016). Caregiving, transport-related, and demographic correlates of sedentary behavior in older adults: The senior neighborhood quality of life study. Journal of Aging and Health, 28(5), 812–833. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264315611668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Y. B., Harwood, J., Williams, A., Ylänne-McEwen, V., Wadleigh, P. M., & Thimm, C. (2006). The portrayal of older adults in advertising: A cross-national review. Journal of Language & Social Psychology, 25, 264–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, San José State University, San Jose, CA, USA

    Tamar Z. Semerjian

Authors
  1. Tamar Z. Semerjian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom

    Samuel R. Nyman

  2. Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Anna Barker

  3. Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia

    Terry Haines

  4. School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Khim Horton

  5. Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom

    Charles Musselwhite

  6. Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Geeske Peeters

  7. College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, United Kingdom

    Christina R. Victor

  8. Institute of Psychogerontology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany

    Julia Katharina Wolff

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Semerjian, T.Z. (2018). The Role of Gender and Social Class in Physical Activity in Later Life. In: Nyman, S., et al. The Palgrave Handbook of Ageing and Physical Activity Promotion. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71291-8_28

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71291-8_28

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-71290-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-71291-8

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation