scholarly journals Physical activity as a determinant of successful aging: a narrative review article

Author(s):  
Agnieszka Szychowska ◽  
Wojciech Drygas

AbstractPopulation of older people in many countries is constantly growing, therefore the subject of successful aging has become important and a priority for public health policy-makers. A person who is successfully aging has low risk of chronic disease and disability, high physical function, good mental health and social engagement in older age. Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, have been identified as determinants of successful aging. The aim of this narrative review is to compile the evidence from big cohort studies on the overall health of older people. Their results indicate that regular physical activity increases the chances of successful aging in older people, but only after reaching a sufficient threshold. Physical activity lowers the risk of many chronic diseases and cognitive decline commonly associated with older age, promotes social engagement and improves self-estimated well-being.

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aine M. Ní Mhaoláin ◽  
Damien Gallagher ◽  
Henry O Connell ◽  
A. V. Chin ◽  
Irene Bruce ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground: Life satisfaction is a subjective expression of well-being and successful aging. Subjective well-being is a major determinant of health outcomes in older people. The aim of this study was to determine which factors predicted well-being in older people living in the community as measured by their satisfaction with life.Methods: The relationship between life satisfaction, as measured by the Life Satisfaction Index (LSI-A) and physical, cognitive and demographic variables was examined in 466 older people living in the community using a stepwise regression modelResults: Depression, loneliness, neuroticism, extraversion, recent participation in physical activity, age and self-reported exhaustion, were the independent predictors of life satisfaction in our elderly cohort.Conclusion: Subjective well-being, as measured by the Life Satisfaction Scale, is predicted by depression, loneliness, personality traits, recent participation in physical activity and self-reported exhaustion. The mental and emotional status of older individuals, as well as their engagement in physical activity, are as important as physical functionality when it comes to life satisfaction as a measure of well-being and successful aging. These areas represent key targets for intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e001089
Author(s):  
Patrick Gordon Robinson ◽  
Charlie Foster ◽  
Andrew Murray

BackgroundGolf is a sport played worldwide by >60 million people from a variety of backgrounds and abilities. Golf’s contribution to physical and mental health benefits are becoming increasingly recognised. Countries have adopted a range of restrictions to playing golf during the COVID-19 pandemic.AimsThe purpose of this narrative review was to (1) explore the literature related to the possible health benefits and risks of playing golf during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) provide recommendations on golf-related activity from the relevant available literature.ResultsGolf can provide health-enhancing physical activity. Regular physical activity is associated with physical/mental health, immune system and longevity benefits. Sense of belonging and life satisfaction significantly improved when golfing restrictions were relaxed after the first lockdown in the UK. Golf is an outdoor sport, where social distancing is possible, and if rules are followed, risk of COVID-19 transmission is likely to be low.ConclusionsPolicy-makers and governing bodies should support the promotion of golf because participation brings wide ranging benefits for physical health and mental well-being. When effective risk reduction measures are used, the benefits of playing golf in most circumstances outweigh the risk of transmission.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fung Kei Cheng

Health debilitation negatively impacts the physical and psychiatric states of ageing persons, consequently increasing individual, familial, and social burdens. Physical exercise is an effective measure to cope with this problem, and Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese exercise, is one of the choices. This narrative review analyses 58 clinical studies, which indicate the efficacy of Baduanjin for the health of old adults, including in physiological refinement, bone diseases, cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary illnesses, metabolic disorders, digestive sicknesses, cognitive impairment, and mental disorders. The results not only reveal the rehabilitative and preventive functions of Baduanjin, but also suggest health promotion through this physical activity for the ageing population. It also proposes improvements in methodological design and practical implications for the well being of seniors and successful ageing.


2007 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 591-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth R. Fox ◽  
Afroditi Stathi ◽  
Jim McKenna ◽  
Mark G. Davis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272092413
Author(s):  
Elgloria A. Harrison ◽  
Lillie Monroe Lord ◽  
Elmira Asongwed ◽  
Phronie Jackson ◽  
Tiffany Johnson-Largent ◽  
...  

Background: This research study illustrates the perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes of older adults residing in an urban community as major factors to understanding barriers and motivators in older African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians adults within Washington, DC. Methods: Eight focus group sessions conducted with 58 older adults to determine their understanding of physical activity and exercise, as well as of barriers to, motivators for, and benefits of physical activity and exercise. Results: The results showed that dance was the preferred physical activity and exercise, fixed or limited income were the main barriers, and prolonged life, more energy, and a stronger body were the main benefits. Conclusion: The results will assist in recommendations to policy makers on programs for older adults that will increase physical activity and exercise for local citizens. These interventions are more likely to increase older adults’ ability to remain in their communities and improve their overall health and well-being.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 825-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Robinson ◽  
Esmée Hanna ◽  
Gary Raine ◽  
Steve Robertson

This article examines how a 6-week mental health resilience course for people with long-term conditions (LTCs; diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis) increased perceived resilience of older participants. This article examines how peer support assisted participants to develop resilience, considers gender issues, examines the importance of course activities, and explores how resilience enhances quality of life. A mixed methods approach was used. A before-and-after questionnaire was administered 3 times, including 3-month follow-up. Interviews were held with 24 program participants, aged 45 to 80 years. Diaries were kept by participants over 3 months. Survey findings showed significant gains in perceived resilience, at the end of the course, with no significant drop-off after 3 months. Interview and diary narratives highlighted positive experiences around well-being, condition management, and social engagement. Peer support was key to effective processes. Challenges concern ongoing support in communities, and considering age and gender variables when researching what improved resilience means to older people with LTCs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet A. Harvey ◽  
Sebastien F.M. Chastin ◽  
Dawn A. Skelton

Background/objectives:Sedentary behavior (SB), defined as sitting (nonexercising), reclining, and lying down (posture), or by low energy expenditure, is a public health risk independent to physical activity. The objective of this systematic literature review was to synthesize the available evidence on amount of SB reported by and measured in older adults.Data source:Studies published between 1981 and 2014 were identified from electronic databases and manual searching. Large-scale population studies/surveys reporting the amount of SB (objective/subjective) in older adults aged ≥ 60 years of age were included. Appraisal and synthesis was completed using MOOSE guidelines.Results:349,698 adults aged ≥ 60 within 22 studies (10 countries and 1 EU-wide) were included. Objective measurement of SB shows that older adults spend an average of 9.4 hr a day sedentary, equating to 65–80% of their waking day. Self-report of SB is lower, with average weighted self-reports being 5.3 hr daily. Within specific domains of SB, older adults report 3.3 hr in leisure sitting time and 3.3 hr watching TV. There is an association with more time spent in SB as age advances and a trend for older men to spend more time in SB than women.Conclusion/implications:Time spent sedentary ranges from 5.3–9.4 hr per waking day in older adults. With recent studies suggesting a link between SB, health, and well-being, independent of physical activity, this is an area important for successful aging.Limitations:Different methodologies of measurement and different reporting methods of SB made synthesis difficult. Estimated SB time from self-report is half of that measured objectively; suggesting that most self-report surveys of SB will vastly underestimate the actual time spent in SB.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
V. Mihaylova ◽  
I. Ivanova ◽  
A. Alakidi ◽  
K. Kilova ◽  
M. Liochkova

Abstract A doctrine was established regarding the so called “new beginning” – the transition to the post-retirement period for a full-value experience of the available compensatory reserves and creation of overcoming strategies for opposing and coping with the obstacles in the still uncommon lifestyle of the senior citizen. By outlining the role of physical activity in a synthesized format, a successful attempt for data classification worldwide was made; in one fourth of the elderly people there is insufficient physical activity, more evident in the women and for Bulgaria this percent is higher (95%). The role and effect of categorized physical exercises for mobility, flexibility, and stretching, aerobic and anaerobic movements have been pointed out. Moreover, the review discusses the preventive effects of rehabilitation, including psychological ones and the role of it in helping patients live with socially significant diseases, coping with disability. The contribution of physical activity and rehabilitation as protective factors of non-infectious diseases is associated with good mental health, improved quality of life and well-being. Within this meaning, while contemporary medicine adds years to life, physical activity and mostly rehabilitation is a significant reason for adding a meaningful life in the course of aging and old age.


Author(s):  
Samin Davoody ◽  
Stella Goeschl ◽  
Mahsa Dolatshahi ◽  
Rozita Davari-Ashtiani ◽  
Reyhaneh Saffarpour ◽  
...  

Objective: To cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, national health authorities temporarily closed cultural, religious, and educational institutions such as universities and schools. Children and adolescents with ADHD were challenged with the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic such as homeschooling and reduced physical activity. The present narrative review aimed to summarize the state-of-the-art regarding associations between COVID-19-related social restrictions and possible psychological and behavioral issues in children and adolescents with ADHD. Additionally, we discussed the underlying possible reasons of the association focusing on the role of parental influence and physical activity, vulnerabilities of individuals with ADHD to Covid-19 infection and to school closure and remote learning. Method: To collect data for the present narrative review, recent publications on these topics between February 1st, 2020 and January 10th, 2021 were retrieved from the most popular search engines (PubMed; Scopus; Google Scholar; Psych Info; Embase) through a comprehensive search using relevant keywords. Results: During confinement, children and adolescents with ADHD reported increased behavioral and ADHD-related symptoms and overall decreased psychological well-being. Factors negatively impacting children’s and adolescents’ behavioral symptoms and well-being were: less physical activity, adverse parental behavior, difficulties in coping with preventive guidelines, and school closure and remote learning consequences. Conclusion: Children and adolescents with ADHD and their caregivers faced both specific and general psychological issues related to the school lockdowns and homeschooling. Additionally, Individuals with ADHD seem to be more vulnerable to Covid-19 infection which highlights the need for better healthcare adaptation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Orellana ◽  
Jill Manthorpe ◽  
Anthea Tinker

Abstract BACKGROUND Social prescribing is encouraged to promote well-being, reduce isolation and loneliness. Traditional, generalist day centres for older people could be suggested by social prescribing, but little is known about their clientele or their outcomes. As part of a larger study of the role, outcomes and commissioning of generalist English day centres for older people, the characteristics of attenders at four day centres, their reasons for attendance and outcomes were explored. METHODS This mixed-methods study used qualitative interviews and standardised tools within an embedded multiple-case study design. Semi-structured interviews with older day centre attenders (n=23, 62% of eligible attenders) of four day centres in south-east England, recruited purposively to reflect organisational differences, were analysed. RESULTS Participants reported non-elective withdrawal from socialisation following health or mobility decline, or losses. Apart from living arrangements and marital status, attenders’ profiles differed between centres. Access had been mostly facilitated by others. Day centre attendance enhanced quality of life for this group of socially isolated people with mobility restrictions and at risk of declining independence and wellbeing. The positive impact on attenders' social participation and involvement and on meaningful occupation was significant (p-value <0.001, 99% CI), with an average ASCOT gain score of 0.18. Ten outcome themes were identified. CONCLUSION Outcomes of day centre attendance are those targeted by social care and health policy. Centres were communities that ‘enabled’ and offset loss or isolation, thus supporting ageing in place through wellbeing and contributed something unique to their attenders’ lives. By monitoring attenders’ health and wellbeing and providing practical support, information and facilitating access to other services, centres offered added value. Attendance needs to be set in the context of other social engagement and care provision which may not overlap or duplicate centre support. Professionals may wish to explore the benefits of social prescriptions to day centres but should map local centres’ provision, engage with their organisers, and seek information on attenders, who may differ from those in this study.


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