HEALTH

Older Adults in Rural Areas: How Gyms Can Boost Health

Ershui Township, TaiwanTue Jul 01 2025

Key Findings

  • Health Conditions: People with diabetes or osteoporosis were more likely to join gyms.
  • Health Check-Ups: Regular check-ups correlated with higher gym participation.
  • Age Factor: Adults aged 70-79 were more active than those in their 60s or 80s.
  • Distance from Health Centers: Those living farther away were more likely to join.

What Keeps Them Coming Back?

  • Exercise Habits
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Healthy Eating Focus

Challenges

  • Not everyone who joins stays engaged.
  • Need for better retention strategies.

Conclusion

Consistency leads to real fitness improvements, but more support is needed to keep older adults active.

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questions

    If the gym were to offer a 'senior citizen discount' on Mondays, would that make it 1.54 times more likely for people to show up, or just 1.54 times more likely for them to forget their membership cards?
    Is the reduced participation from those living far from health centers because of the distance, or because they're too busy trying to outrun their grandkids?
    How do the health behaviors and chronic disease histories of participants compare to those who did not participate in the Ageless Gym, and what might explain these differences?

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