The Role of Gender and Social Class in Physical Activity in Later Life

Gender and social class matter when considering physical activity among older people. However, sport and exercise sociologists have devoted scant attention to this topic. That said, there is no lack of attention to this question from those who are interested in health, physical activity, and epidemiologists who recognise that exercise can be an important way to maintain both the psychological and physical health of all, particularly as we age. This chapter will summarise the available research regarding the role of gender and social class, the role that media plays in shaping perceptions of ageing, and provide some recommendations for future research.