Expectativas en la demanda latente de actividad física de las mujeres y hombres mayores en España Expectations by the Latent Demand of Physical Activity of Older Women and Men in Spain

The aim of this study is to analyze possible gender differences in expectations about activities demanded and benefits that they would want to obtain with their practice, in the set of 65 year older women and men in Spain who do not practice but they would like to practice physical activity (latent demand). The methodology consisted in carrying out face to face interviews, using a structured questionnaire, to a randomly selected sample of the Spanish population of 65 years old or more. The 933 subjects participating in the study had an average age of 74,1 years, and 53,1% were women and 46,9% men. The results reveal that great part of these older women seem to tend to concentrate their demands in programs of physical exercise (39,7%) or aquatic activities (33,3%). Great part of these older men opt for both types of activities too (33,3% y 28,1%), but other prefer some sports (21,1%) and outdoor activities (12,3%). The principal benefit for that older men and women look in this activities is to support or to improve the health followed by different social benefits and leisure time occupation. These expectations should be considered in the programs aimed to this group.