As we grow older, many of us become less and less active. As a result, physical inactivity is a major health problem in the United States. This is particularly a problem for the elderly and disabled populations. There is little research that examines the relationships between aspects of the environment and physical activity in older adults and individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Morris and coworkers used a social cognitive approach to examine the independent roles of perceptions of environmental, self-efficacy and functional limitations in understanding physical activity levels among elderly women and women with MS. Older women (n = 136) and women diagnosed with MS (n = 173) were recruited to participate in separate cross-sectional studies. Those involved completed a battery of questionnaires and wore an activity monitor for seven days. Initial analyses indicated that self-efficacy, functional limitations, and environmental perceptions were significantly related to physical activity. Among older women, self-efficacy, functional limitations, and street connectivity demonstrated independent contributions to physical behavior. Only self-efficacy and functional limitations demonstrated significant associations among women with MS.

VALUE OF STUDY TO READER: The authors concluded that contributions of the environment and individual factors to changes in physical activity need to be determined. Self-efficacy, however, appears key to whatever physical activity is performed by women with multiple sclerosis.

KS Morris et al. Self-efficacy and environmental correlates of physical activity among older women and women with multiple sclerosis. Health Education & Research, October 24, 2007.