PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of the process of change, decision making, self-efficacy and perception of subjective health according to the stages of exercise behaviors suggested by transtheoretical models among older adults. METHOD The subjects consisted of 291 older adults. Trained research assistants interviewed the older adults using structured questionnaires. ANOVA analyses with post hoc test were used to examine the mean differences for each stage of exercise behavior using SPSS for windows. RESULT The subjects were divided into five stages of exercise behavior: 24.4% pre-contemplation, 12.4% contemplation, 17.9% preparation, 12.4% action, 33.0% maintenance stage. There were significant differences in process of change, decision making, self-efficacy and subjective health perception according to the exercise stage of change. 'Self-liberation' and 'stimulus control' were important strategies for intention of exercise, while 'reinforcing management' for the actual practice of exercise. 'Self-efficacy' was an effective strategy to change older adults from pre-contemplation to preparation stage. CONCLUSION For exercise intervention, older adults should be classified into groups according to their stages of exercise behaviors and provided effective individualized intervention depending on their stage.
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