Investigation of social incentives for rural and non-rural mature adults who participate in physical activity class

Problem. Physical activity is an extremely cost effective, non-pharmaceutical intervention to prevent or ameliorate chronic disease when used as primary or adjunctive health promotion and can be accomplished by most people. Despite the well-known benefits, only one of eight adults adheres to physical activity recommendations. Nursing needs to identify more effective ways to promote physical activity among mature adults.; Purposes. Based on the Theory of Social Incentive by Veroff and Veroff the Incentive-Physical Activity Scale (I-PAS) expanded the understanding of social incentives for participation in exercise activity groups. Included is exploration of how differences in age, gender, rural or non-rural place of residence, and self-reported medical diagnoses may influence seniors to express social incentive for physical activity group participation.; Design. A descriptive correlational study accessed mature adults in upstate New York locations.; Methods. The I-PAS, a 16-item paper and pencil scale, and a demographic form were completed by 164 mature adults who participate in physical activity groups and 162 non-participates. Data analyses included Analysis of Variance, multiple linear regression, correlation, and reliability testing of the I-PAS as well as descriptive analysis.; Findings. Reliability of the I-PAS was established. Rural living did not significantly influence social incentive for participation. Those who participated had a higher incentive score than those who did not. Those in the sixth and eighth decade of life showed the higher incentive score, those in the fifth decade a lower score, and non-rural subjects between 70 and 79 scored the lowest. The diagnoses that showed significance for incentive score were osteoporosis and hypertension. Participants expressed they valued socialization with the group as a whole not contingent on a close association. Subjects expressed valuing the fun of attending physical activity groups.; Nursing implications. A greater understanding of social incentive for physical activity will assist health professionals to facilitate participation that is more likely to be sustained. These findings provide background information for the development of campaigns and services promoting physical activity among mature adults. Continued research in the area of social incentive, and further refinement of the social incentive measurement tool are indicated.