To encourage older adults to participate in exercise, it is important for self-governing bodies to divide them into subgroups according to exercise habit and to determine facts such as what they think about exercise and what type of programs would help them most. In Japan, however, few such schemes have been reported. This study aimed to clarify the process of ascertaining the characteristics of older adults and to establish a challenging means of encouraging continued exercise. The eligible study population was all residents aged 65-69 years living in Isobe town, Mie Prefecture, Japan (n = 675) , 460 (68.1%) responded to our questionnaire during a two-month period (November-December) in 2003. The respondents were divided into subgroups according to exercise frequency: those exercising twice a week or more (21.1%, Group A) , once a week (6.3%, Group B) , once or twice a month (7.6%, Group C) , and no exercise (65.0%, Group D) . Group A exercised because they believed they became healthier or achieved an improved fitness level. Group B undertook exercise as they regarded rapport as important, i.e. making friends at group exercise classes. To the question “Why don't you exercise?” Group C noted the lack of an exercise companion, and Group D noted low motivation. From the responses to “What type of approaches do you look for so that you might start exercise?” Group C suggested approaches such as an invitation to join an exercise class, or an introduction to an exercise instructor, and Group D suggested an exercise program that they could perform at home. Based on these results, a challenge for each group was established: to maintain the exercise frequency (Group A) , to increase awareness of the effects of exercise (Group B) , to participate more in group exercise sessions (Group C) , and to experience an easy-to-use home exercise program (Group D) . Future research is required to ascertain the effects of such challenges on exercise habit in older adults.
