Prapaiwan SrimatavorakulKanittha NakaPranorm Noopetch2011-02-222011-02-222010-05-192010-05-19Thai Journal of Nursing Council; Vol 25, No. 1 January-March 2010; 112-120http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/132527This research aimed to describe patterns and level of physical activities of older persons in rural southern Thailand. One hundred and twenty - nine subjects were purposively selected from one in seven villages at Bangpao subdistrict, Kantang district, Trang province. Data were collected using a demographic data form and physical activity questionnaires. Content validity was assessed by three experts. The Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient were used to ascertain the reliability of the physical activity questionnaires and yielded .92. Demographic data and physical activity data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation.The results revealed that the highest score of energy utilization of older persons'physical activity was working (X = 1,702.25, SD = 2,558.34), followed by leisure, housework, and traveling (X = 1,613.12, SD = 886.45; X= 1,340.92, SD = 1,972.05 and X= 416.24, SD = 548.33, respectively). Comparing to the level of physical activities to the requirement for physical fitness, more than half of older persons in rural southern Thailand (55.0%) had inadequate performance. The results could be used as basic data for health care teams in designing health promoting program for older persons'physical activities, especially those who are currently inadequate.en-USThailand Nursing and Midwifery Council, Ministry of Public Health, ThailandResearch Reports