Question

Please explain thoroughly how Personal (Age and life-cycle stage, occupation economic situation lifestyle, and personality/ self- concept) factors influence someone to go bike-riding and do yoga?

Answer 1

Answer.

There are several personal factors which can influence an individual’s decision to engage in physical activities and exercises like cycling, doing yoga etc. for instance, younger and middle aged adults may show a greater motivation to engage in these activities as a part of their goal to remain physically active and fit. While cycling may be more age appropriate for younger and middle adults because of the level of fitness, yoga may be a more commonly chosen approach in the ageing adults as they may have slower body movements and strength that may be required for intensive cardiovascular activities like cycling and running.

Moreover, individuals who have a very busy and long hour of work may not be able to choose either cycling or yoga as a part of their regular exercise regime because of the paucity of time. However, yoga may be a more common choice amongst individuals with a stressful work life and by those who are economically stronger and they may choose the relaxation and meditation exercises of yoga as part of their regime of health and well being and moreover they may be able to better afford yoga trianing sessions compared to labour from lower economic stratus.

Finally, a more stronger factor which may determine an individual’s choice of exercise is the self concept of the individual. Individuals who have a high self esteem and intrinsic motivation may find it easier to remain committed to a regular regime of physical activities compared to individual’s who seek external goals from exercise such as ‘shedding weight to look thin’ , gain other people’s appreciation, etc. as they would instead evaluate physical active lifestyle as a long term life choice.