Effect of Elderly People’s Perceived Value on their Adherence to Outdoor Exercise: The Intermediary Role of Motivation for Active Social Adaptation

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the perceived value of outdoor activities and exercise persistence among elderly Chinese individuals. Specifically, the study aims to explore whether motivation for active social adaptation mediates this relationship. Three hundred twenty-five subjects were randomly chosen and invited to complete 3 questionnaires about the perceived value of outdoor activity, the motivation for active social adaptation, and the adherence to physical exercise. The results showed that older people’s perception of the value of outdoor activity (function, landscape, and cost) has a statistically significant effect on their adherence to exercise. The mediating role of motivation for active social adaptation was also statistically significant, and the mediating role of active environmental adaptation motivation affected the perceived functional value, perceived landscape value of outdoor activities on adherence to exercise. Hence, it is concluded that older Chinese adults’ perception of the value of outdoor activities promotes their adherence to exercise and reinforces it based on active social adaptation motivation.