Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 13(3), pp. 589 - 598
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130307
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Factors Affecting Physical Activities at Elderly Schools in Phrae Province, Thailand

Chanoknun Fakmit ¹, Narongsak Noosorn ^2,*
1 Doctor of Public Health Program, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Thailand
² Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Thailand

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this descriptive research were to study the physical behaviours and factors affecting physical activities in elderly schools. The participants comprised 407 elderly people aged 60 years and older who were selected through simple random sampling. The instrument was a questionnaire, and the data were analysed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The study results showed that the physical activities at elderly schools in Phrae Province were influenced by physical movement according to the ability and preference of activities at school (= 2.80, S.D. = 1.780), spending free time at school to do hobbies such as making handicrafts and snacks (= 2.68, S.D. = 1.595), and physical activities/exercises in the morning before classes (= 2.65, S.D. = 1.589). Regarding the factors affecting physical activities at elderly schools in Phrae Province, the predictors were the perceived benefits of physical activities (β = 2.602), support from neighbouring members (β = 1.684), suitability of the area for physical activities (β=1.665), teaching quality (β = 1.446), knowledge about physical activities (β = 1.017), number of days per week for physical activities (β = 1.274), participation in planning physical activities (β = 1.141), policy for promoting physical activities at elderly schools (β = 1.121), gender (β = 1.124), policy concerning physical activities for specific groups (β = 0.974), attitude towards physical activities (β = 0.625), and activity stimulating physical activities (β = 0.702). These factors could co-predict at 64.7% with a statistical significance of 0.05. Conclusions: the promotion of physical activities at elderly schools should take into consideration personal, social, environmental, and policy factors as well as area adjustment, motivation, social support, and the participation of the elderly in designing activities that will increase success and sustainability in the promotion of physical activities.

KEYWORDS
Physical Activities, Elderly Schools, Health Promotion

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Chanoknun Fakmit , Narongsak Noosorn , "Factors Affecting Physical Activities at Elderly Schools in Phrae Province, Thailand," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 589 - 598, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130307.

(b). APA Format:
Chanoknun Fakmit , Narongsak Noosorn (2025). Factors Affecting Physical Activities at Elderly Schools in Phrae Province, Thailand. Universal Journal of Public Health, 13(3), 589 - 598. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130307.