CONTRIBUTORS TO LIFELONG MODERATE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE LIVES OF WOMEN

. The Prob~em. We know little about what makes people lifelong physlcal exerClsers. We have an understanding of the benefits and the barriers of physical activity but we have not examined the life stories of lifelong physical movers, especially females. Procedures. Two in-depth life history interviews of eight women were conducted to identify and understand the contributors to sustained physical activity and the role physical activity has played in the lives of lifelong physically active women between 58-72 years of age. A combination of snowball and theoretical non-probability sampling techniques were used to initiate contact with participants. The grounded theory approach was utilized. Data were analyzed using content and constant comparative analysis. Findings. Six themes, supported by subthemes, emerged from analysis of the data. The participants: perceived themselves as physically active, lead physically active lives from childhood throug