Abstract
Walking among older adults is the most practical and feasible option for regular leisure-time exercise in the USA and internationally. For older adults, walking represents a beneficial and relatively safe exercise alterative, and may well be the most accessible form of leisure-time physical activity available to seniors. This investigation was designed to identify significant characteristics of regular walkers and variables that predict regular walking among older adults by analysing an existing database from an archived panel study. Independent variables were classified into four groups: demographics, health indicators, health conditions and social interaction indicators. The dependent variable was miles walked per week. The statistical model was significant and seven specific measures in the model were associated with regular walking: gender, smoking, body mass index, functional disability, moderate exercise, allergies/asthma and community involvement. The model was more successful at identifying barriers to regular walking than facilitators.