Abstract

Considering how low overall aging expectations constrain various other health-promoting behaviours in adults, the examined whether general aging expectations and aging self-expectations differentially influence physical activity (PA). In a cross-sectional design, 167 moderately physically active adults aged 45-74 years completed ERA-38 and GLTEQ surveys. Separate factor analyses examined the validity of general aging expectation (GAE) and aging self-expectation (ASE) items, and multivariate analyses examined their associations with PA. Results indicated the emergence of three GAE (Satisfaction/Contentment, Physical Function, Cognitive Function) and three ASE sub-factors (Functional Health, Social Health, Sexual Function). More active adults had higher Cognitive Function (p<.05) and Satisfaction/Contentment (p=.06) expectations than less active adults. Regression analyses by age group (45-54; 55-64; 65-74) showed Physical Function (β=.36) and Satisfaction/Contentment (β=.30) explained current PA only for 45-54 year-olds. Findings endorse and expand upon ERA-38 trends in the context of PA by showing that certain negative aging expectations constrain current weekly PA among adults. Verf.-Referat (geändert)