Abstract
Objectives To examine whether physical-activity patterns over a period of 4 years are associated with well-being.
Design A sample of 399 women aged 50–60 years participated in the study. Measures included rate of physical activity and other life style behaviors, well-being, health status, and interpersonal stress. Sufficient and insufficient exercisers were identified, and the association of this dichotomy with well-being, along with the contribution of the other variables, was examined.
Results The distribution of physical-activity patterns remained stable over the 4 years of the study, with 40% of the women exercising leisurely and 15–20% exercising vigorously four to seven times a week. Approximately 50% of the women were considered sufficiently active in terms of public recommendations. Random effects regression analysis revealed that sufficient exercise along with a low frequency of daily hassles, relatively few menopausal symptoms, and a low level of interpersonal stress significantly contributed to the variability of well-being.
Conclusions These data evoke the need for a better understanding of exercise behavior and its promising potential contribution to the well-being of middle-aged women.