PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF PEOPLE AGED 60 YEARS AND OVER
PURPOSE
To collect information about amount and perceptions of exercise among people aged 60 years and over in Australia.
DESCRIPTION
This information was collected in February 1994 and November 1995 as part of the Population Survey Monitor (PSM). At that time, the PSM was a quarterly household survey of approximately 2,120 households conducted throughout Australia. The PSM covered all usual residents aged 18 years and over in private dwellings in both urban and rural areas of all States and Territories of Australia. However, persons living in remote and sparsely settled areas were excluded from the collection. All persons living in non-private dwellings were also excluded.
In February 1994, if the randomly selected person was aged 60 years or more, the following information was collected. In November 1995, the information was collected if the randomly selected person was aged between 60 and 79 years (inclusive).
GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE
Australia
FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION
Irregular
DATA ITEMS
Extent of physical activity in the last two weeks
These questions were only included in the November 1995 questionnaire.
Number of times, and total time spent, walking, for at least 10 minutes continuously, for recreation, exercise or transport
Number of times, and total time spent, doing vigorous exercise
Number of times, and total time spent, doing moderate exercise, including strenuous gardening
Body dimensions
These questions were included in this topic in the November 1995 questionnaire, and were included in the Health topic in the February 1994 questionnaire.
Height without shoes
Weight
Self perception of whether regularly active
Records whether respondent considers himself or herself to be regularly active.
Perceived effects on the respondent of physical activity compared with being inactive
Records the perceived likelihood of the following effects of physical activity, compared with being inactive. Response categories are very likely, slightly likely, neither, slightly unlikely, very unlikely and don’t know.
Relieve stress
Too tired to do other activities
Make a present injury/medical condition worse
Sleep well
Take up too much time
Make it easier to carry out regular chores
Maintain or improve health
Result in an injury
Help control weight
Result in discomfort (too hot or sore)
Help meet people and make friends
Good way to have fun
Importance of effects of physical activity to the respondents
Perceived importance to the respondent of each possible effect of physical activity (listed above). Response categories are very important, slightly important, neither, slightly unimportant, very unimportant and don’t know.
Three most important reasons why respondent is not more active
Records, in order of importance, the three main reasons for not being more active. Response options are:
I am already active enough
I haven't got time
There is no one to do it with
I can't afford it
I'm too old
I have an injury or disability that stops me
My health is too poor
I'm too shy or embarrassed
I'm not the sporty type
There's no suitable facilities nearby
I need to rest and relax in my spare time
I'm too lazy / not motivated
I might get injured or damage my health
I don't enjoy physical activity
I haven't got the right clothes or equipment
I'd never keep up
I'm too overweight
I haven't got the energy
Support from friends/family to be physically active (in the last three months)
Records how often, over the last three months, a family member or a friend had done any of the following things. Response categories are very often, often, sometimes, rarely and never.
Participated in a physical activity with the respondent
Offered to participate in a physical activity with the respondent
Given the respondent helpful reminders to be active
Encouraged the respondent to participate in a physical activity
Taken over chores so that the respondent had more time for physical activities
Said that physical activities seem to be good for the respondent’s appearance
Got upset with the respondent over the physical activities he/she did or wanted to do
Criticised or made fun of the respondent about his/her physical activities
Exercise equipment at home
Specifies whether the respondent has any equipment at home to help them exercise, such as a bicycle, swimming pool or exercise videos.
Accessibility of exercise facilities
Records which of the following facilities are easily accessible:
Centre, room or hall for exercise classes
Cycle track or path
Golf course
Health club or gym
Public park
Public recreation centre
Swimming pool or safe place to swim (excluding a home pool)
Tennis court (excluding at home)
Lawn bowls greens
Affordability of exercise facilities
Records, for each easily accessible exercise facility (except for cycle track or path, and public park), those that the respondent can afford to use.
Neighbourhood characteristics
Specifies the response on a five-point scale to questions about:
Safety of walking or jogging alone in their neighbourhood during the day
Difficulty of walking or jogging in their neighbourhood because of things like traffic, no footpaths, dogs, steep hills, etc
Frequency of seeing other people in their neighbourhood involved in physical activities like walking or jogging
Level of physical activity of spouse or partner
Number of times a week that the spouse or partner participates in some form of physical activity. Response options are:
More than 3 times a week
1-3 times a week
Less than once a week
Never/not applicable
Don’t know
No spouse or partner
Current and intended exercise
The statement which best describes the respondent's current level of exercise, from the following options:
Do not exercise and do not intend to start
Do not exercise but am thinking of starting
Exercise occasionally and am not thinking of doing more
Exercise occasionally and am thinking of doing more
Exercise regularly and intend to continue
Other
Confidence of exercising in various situations
Records the confidence of respondents, other than those who do not exercise and do not intend to start, of exercising in each of the following situations. Response categories are very confident, confident, moderately confident, slightly confident, and not at all confident.
Could exercise when tired
Could exercise when in a bad mood
Could exercise when don't have time
Could exercise when on holidays
Could exercise when it's raining
Could exercise even when it takes a lot of effort
Geographic area
As the sample size is very small, data are only available at the Australian level.
Demographic characteristics
Demographic characteristics for which information is available include:
Age
Sex
Marital status
Country of birth
Household type (person living alone, married couple living alone, etc.)
Socioeconomic characteristics
Socioeconomic characteristics for which information is available include:
Labour force status (employed, unemployed or not in the labour force)
Main activity for those not employed
Educational attainment
Occupation (1-digit ASCO)
Industry (ANZSIC Division)
Personal income
Other topics of interest
In one or the other of the quarters in which data on physical activity of people aged 60 years or over were collected, data were also collected on the following topics:
Attendance at arts festivals (November 1995)
Attendance at botanic gardens (February 1994)
Children’s participation in sport and physical activities (November 1995)
Household use of information technology (February 1994)
Participation in gambling (November 1995)
Participation in sport and physical activities (February 1994 and November 1995)
Spectator sport (February 1994 and November 1995)
Support for the arts (November 1995)
Usage of videos and computer games (February 1994)
HISTORICAL DATA
Data were collected in February 1994 and November 1995.
DISSEMINATION
Publications
Australian Bureau of Statistics 1996, Population Survey Monitor, Australia, November 1995, Cat. no. 4103.0, ABS, Canberra. Price $13.00. Also available for February 1994.
Other
National Sport and Recreation Industry Database and Directory (NSRIDD).
CONTACT
In the first instance, refer to To obtain data or further information in the Introduction to this directory.
Sport and Recreation Contact Officer
National Centre for Culture and Recreation Statistics
Australian Bureau of Statistics
GPO Box 2272
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Telephone: Adelaide 08 8237 7399
Facsimile: Adelaide 08 8237 7366
Email: nccrs@abs.gov.au
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