The Ecological System’s Influence on Physical Activities of Older Adults: Comparison between Older Men and Women

Abstract Background Korea is expected to become a super-aged society by 2025. Research has shown that regular participation in physical activity has a positive impact on older adults’ health and reduces national health costs. Aims Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, this study examines ecological systems that influence physical activity in older men and women. Method The data analysis included information on 537 older adults aged 65 years and older residing in South Korea. The regression analysis identified differences in the ecological systems that influence physical activity in older adults by sex. Results By examining the ecological systems that affect physical activity in older men, we found that the macrosystem affected the exosystem (p < .001) and microsystem (p < .001), the exosystem affected the mesosystem (p < .01), and the microsystem affected individuals (p < .001). In the case of older women, the macrosystem affected the exosystem (p < .001), microsystem (p < .001), and individuals (p < .01); the exosystem affected the microsystem (p < .01), and the microsystem affected individuals (p < .001). Discussion and Conclusion The results show that interpersonal interactions among friends, family members, and colleagues (microsystem) commonly affect physical activity in older men and women, whereas cultural characteristics that influence belief systems, knowledge, resources, and lifestyle factors (macrosystem) only affect physical activity in older women. These results suggest that older men do not receive sufficient support from the macrosystem in terms of their participation in physical activity. To encourage older men to participate in more physical activities, it is necessary to establish policies that help them form positive values and beliefs about physical activity.