Factors Associated with Exercise Behavior among the Elderly in Khun Thale Subdistrict, Mueang District, Surat Thani Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to examine levels of knowledge, attitudes, health belief model components, exercise behavior, and factors associated with exercise behavior among older adults in Khun Thale Subdistrict, Mueang District, Surat Thani Province. A sample of 309 older adults aged 60-85 years was selected using multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a five-part questionnaire consisting of: 1) personal characteristics (35 items), 2) knowledge of exercise (15 items), 3) attitudes toward exercise (5 items), 4) health belief model components (30 items covering six dimensions), and 5) exercise behavior (5 items). The questionnaire had content validity (IOC > 0.50), Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.703-0.843, and a KR-20 value of 0.72. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis at a significance level of 0.05. Results showed that 85.80% of participants had good exercise behavior. Factors significantly associated with exercise behavior were body mass index (p = 0.040), basic knowledge and knowledge of exercise benefits (p < 0.001), perceived susceptibility (p = 0.001), perceived benefits (p = 0.014), cues to action (p = 0.025), and self-efficacy (p < 0.001). These findings should be used as evidence for designing and developing community-based exercise promotion programs that emphasize practical knowledge, modification of health beliefs, cues to action, and self-efficacy strengthening to improve sustainable health and quality of life among older adults.