Table 4

Agreement with Physical Activity Messages (number and percent agreeing with the message)

Message

Men

Women

All

65–69 years

70–74 years

75–79 years

80–84 years

85+ years

1

76 (85.4)

133 (78.7)

209 (81.0)

64 (90.1)

67 (82.7)

45 (77.6)

24 (77.4)

9 * (52.9)

2

74 (81.3)

143 (84.6)

217 (83.5)

66 (90.4)

72 (86.7)

43 (74.1)

27 (90.0)

9 * (56.3)

3

58 (62.4)

88 (53.7)

146 (56.8)

46 (63.9)

46 (57.5)

31 (53.4)

16 (53.3)

6 (37.5)

4

64 (69.6)

131 (77.5)

195 (74.7)

52 (70.3)

66 (79.5)

42 (73.7)

23 (76.7)

12 (75.0)

5

83 (90.3)

160 (95.3)

243 (93.5)

69 (94.5)

78 (95.1)

53 (93.0)

28 (90.3)

15 (93.8)

Key:

Message 1 Taking the stairs at work or generally being more active for at least 30 minutes each day is enough to improve your health

Message 2 Half an hour of brisk walking on most days is enough to improve your health

Message 3 To improve your health it is essential for you to do vigorous exercise for at least 20 minutes each time, three times a week

Message 4 Exercise doesn't have to be done all at one time- blocks of 10 minutes are okay

Message 5 Moderate exercise that increases your heart rate slightly can improve your health

* p < 0.01

Sims et al. BMC Geriatrics 2007 7:4   doi:10.1186/1471-2318-7-4