Increased Physical Activity and Fitness above the 50th Percentile Avoid the Threat of Older Adults Becoming Institutionalized: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study

Little is known about the effect of reduced vision on physical activity in older adults. This study evaluates the association of visual acuity level, self-reported vision, and ocular disease conditions with leisure-time physical activity and calculated caloric expenditure. A cross-sectional study of 911 subjects 65 yr and older from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging (SOA) cohort was conducted evaluating the association of vision-related variables to weekly kilocalorie expenditure calculated from the 17-item Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression was used to evaluate possible associations while controlling for potential confounders. In multivariate analyses, each lower step in visual acuity below 20/50 was significantly associated with reduced odds of having a higher level of physical activity, OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67, 0.97. Reduced visual acuity appears to be independently associated with lower levels of physical activity among community-dwelling adults.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity and its Influencing Factors in Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Dementia: A Path Analysis

Clinical Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/10547738211033928 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105477382110339

Author(s):

Bei Li ◽

Xiuxiu Huang ◽

Chenchen Meng ◽

Qiaoqin Wan ◽

Yongan Sun

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Path Analysis ◽

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

People With Dementia ◽

The Status ◽

Path Analysis Approach ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Dementia is prevalent in worldwide, and increases the care burden and potential costs. Physical activity (PA) has been increasingly shown to be beneficial for them. This was a cross-sectional observational study aiming to investigate the status of PA among community-dwelling older adults with dementia in Beijing or Hangzhou, China, and verify the relationships between neuropsychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living (ADL), caregivers’ fear of patients’ falling and their PA using a path analysis approach. The level of PA among 216 included people with dementia was low. PA was related to the neuropsychiatric symptoms, with ADL and caregivers’ fear of patients’ falling have mediation roles. The findings indicated that person-centered strategies related to the management of these symptoms might be helpful to improve ADL, relieve caregivers’ concerns about them falling and consequently foster positive participation in PA.

Download Full-text

Greenspace and depression in Japanese Older Adults considering physical activities: JAGES study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.098 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Nishigaki ◽

C Koga ◽

M Hanazato ◽

K Kondo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Large Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Evaluation Study ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Local Climate

Abstract Introduction Older adult's depression is a public health problem. In recent years, exposure to local greenspace is beneficial to mental health via increased physical activity in people. However, few studies approach the relationship between greenspace and depression while simultaneously considering the frequency, time, and the number of types of physical activity, and large-scale surveys targeting the older adults. Methods Cross-sectional data conducted in 2016 by the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study was used. The analysis included older adults aged 65 and over who did not require care or assistance, and a total of 126,878 people in 881 School districts. The explanatory variable is the percentage of the greenspace of the area, and the greenspace data used is data created from satellite photographs acquired by observation satellites of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The objective variable was depression (Geriatric Depression Scale 5 points or more). The analysis method was a multi-level logistic regression analysis. Physical activity was the number of sports-related hobbies, the frequency of participation in sports meetings, and walking time in daily life. Other factors such as personal attributes, population density of residential areas, and local climate were also considered. Results Depression in the survey was 20.4%. The abundance of greenspace was still associated with depression, considering all physical activity. The odds ratio of depression in areas with more greenspace was 0.92 (95% CI 0.87 - 0.98) compared to areas with less greenspace. Conclusions It became clear that areas with many greenspace were still associated with low depression, even considering the frequency, time and number of physical activities. It is conceivable that the healing effect of seeing greenspace, the reduction of air pollution and noise, etc. are related to the lack of depression without going through physical activity. Key messages In Japan, older adults are less depressed when there are many local greenspace. It became clear that areas with many greenspace were still associated with low depression, even considering physical activities.

Download Full-text

A cross-cultural comparison of dietary intakes and physical activity between American and Czech school-aged children

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980008003546 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 986-990 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lenka Humenikova Shriver ◽

Gail Gates

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Public Schools ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Fast Food ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

The Usa ◽

American Children

AbstractObjectiveThe prevalence of child overweight in the Czech Republic is substantially lower than that in the USA. The objective of the present pilot study was to explore dietary intakes, frequency of dining in fast-food establishments, and the amount and intensity of physical activity between a sample of American and Czech children.DesignA cross-sectional correlational pilot study.SettingFour public schools in the USA and four public schools in the Czech Republic.SubjectsNinety-five Czech and forty-four American 4–6th graders from urban public schools participated in the study. Dietary intake and number of fast-food visits were evaluated using two multiple-pass 24 h recalls. Physical activity was measured using the modified Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist.ResultsAmerican children (mean age 10·8 (se 0·2) years) consumed more energy and fat, less fruits and vegetables, more soft drinks, and visited fast-food establishments more often than Czech children (mean age 11·0 (se 0·1) years). Although no differences were found in vigorous activity by nationality, Czech children spent significantly more time in moderate physical activities than American children.ConclusionsDespite the influx of some negative Western dietary trends into the country, Czech children had a healthier diet and were more physically active than American children. Further research is warranted to determine whether the same differences in dietary intakes, physical activity and fast-food visits exist between nationally representative samples of American and Czech children.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and factors associated with chronic wounds in older adults in primary care

Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP ◽

10.1590/s1980-220x2017051303415 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 52 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chrystiany Plácido de Brito Vieira ◽

Telma Maria Evangelista de Araújo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Primary Care ◽

Chronic Wounds ◽

Family Income ◽

Family Health ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Diabetic Ulcer ◽

Dietary Restrictions

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of pressure injuries, diabetic and vasculogenic ulcers and associated factors in older adults attended in primary care. Method: A cross-sectional, analytical study with older adults attended in the Family Health Strategy in a Brazilian municipality. Data collection was performed from January to March 2016 using interviews and evaluations of injuries. The variables were submitted to the multivariate logistic regression model using the odds ratio, with their respective 95% confidence intervals and significance set at <0.05. Results: 339 older adults participated in the study. The mean age was 71.1 years, 67.3% were female, 44% were illiterate, 85% had low family income, 91.7% had underlying diseases, 37.2% had dietary restrictions, and 76.1% did not practice physical activity. The prevalence of pressure injury was 5.0%, diabetic ulcer 3.2%, and vasculogenic ulcer 2.9%. Not working and not regularly practicing physical activity increased the chances of presenting these injuries by 1.5 and 2.3 times, respectively. Being actively mobility and not having dietary restrictions were protective factors for not developing chronic wounds. Conclusion: The prevalence of injuries among older adults was high, and its occurrence is associated with socioeconomic and clinical characteristics.

Download Full-text

Screening for frailty in older adults using a self-reported instrument

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0034-8910.2015049005516 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Daniella Pires Nunes ◽

Yeda Aparecida de Oliveira Duarte ◽

Jair Lício Ferreira Santos ◽

Maria Lúcia Lebrão

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Screening Instrument ◽

The Self ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Frailty Phenotype ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Physical Strength

OBJECTIVE To validate a screening instrument using self-reported assessment of frailty syndrome in older adults.METHODS This cross-sectional study used data from the Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento study conducted in Sao Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil. The sample consisted of 433 older adult individuals (≥ 75 years) assessed in 2009. The self-reported instrument can be applied to older adults or their proxy respondents and consists of dichotomous questions directly related to each component of the frailty phenotype, which is considered the gold standard model: unintentional weight loss, fatigue, low physical activity, decreased physical strength, and decreased walking speed. The same classification proposed in the phenotype was utilized: not frail (no component identified); pre-frail (presence of one or two components), and frail (presence of three or more components). Because this is a screening instrument, “process of frailty” was included as a category (pre-frail and frail). Cronbach’s α was used in psychometric analysis to evaluate the reliability and validity of the criterion, the sensitivity, the specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values. Factor analysis was used to assess the suitability of the proposed number of components.RESULTS Decreased walking speed and decreased physical strength showed good internal consistency (α = 0.77 and 0.72, respectively); however, low physical activity was less satisfactory (α = 0.63). The sensitivity and specificity for identifying pre-frail individuals were 89.7% and 24.3%, respectively, while those for identifying frail individuals were 63.2% and 71.6%, respectively. In addition, 89.7% of the individuals from both the evaluations were identified in the “process of frailty” category.CONCLUSIONS The self-reported assessment of frailty can identify the syndrome among older adults and can be used as a screening tool. Its advantages include simplicity, rapidity, low cost, and ability to be used by different professionals.

Download Full-text

Effects of Attitude, Motivation, and Eagerness for Physical Activity among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Journal of Healthcare Engineering ◽

10.1155/2020/1014891 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Md Mizanur Rahman ◽

Dongxiao Gu ◽

Changyong Liang ◽

Rao Muhammad Rashid ◽

Monira Akter

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Sports Participation ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cost Effective Method ◽

Global Statistics

Background. Although physical activity (PA) is a noninvasive and cost-effective method of improving the quality of health, global statistics show that only a few middle-aged and older adults engage in the recommended PAs. This is due to a lack of motivation and companionship. Objective. This study analyses the attitudes and self-determined motivation of Chinese middle-aged and older adults for PAs and their eagerness to participate in PAs such as sports, exercise, and recreational and cultural activities (RCAs), from attitudinal, eagerness, and motivational objectives of PAs perspective. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 840 middle-aged (35–54 years) and older adults (55+ years). To determine their attitude, eagerness, and self-determined motivation for PA, we used attitudinal, Eagerness for Physical Activity Scale (EPAS), and Situational Motivational Scale (SIMS). The data were analyzed with SPSS 23.0. Results. The results show that 39.1% of the participants were not satisfied with PAs. Compared with females, males reported a less positive attitude towards PAs. Moreover, a positive attitude decreases with age. Participants’ motivation and eagerness in activities such as RCAs, exercise, and sports are decreasing. Regarding self-determined motivation, there are gender differences in RCAs, but there is none for exercise and sports participation. Conclusion. The findings show the importance of RCAs and the support of family and friends enhancing the eagerness, attitude, and motivation to participate in PAs. Furthermore, the findings can help to create more effective PA programs for middle-aged and older adults. By engaging in RCAs, participants can reap the benefits of PAs. Participating in RCAs can lead to social equity in health.

Download Full-text

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of ambulatory older adults in a developed Asian community: a cross-sectional study

Singapore Medical Journal ◽

10.11622/smedj.2020022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 61 (5) ◽

pp. 266-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

LP Ng ◽

YLE Koh ◽

NC Tan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Asian Community

Download Full-text

Marketing Up the Wrong Tree? Organisational Perspectives on Attracting and/or Retaining Older Adults in Sport

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living ◽

10.3389/fspor.2021.772361 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Claire Jenkin ◽

Jannique G. Z. van Uffelen ◽

Grant O'Sullivan ◽

Jack Harvey ◽

Rochelle M. Eime ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Age Groups ◽

Organisational Change ◽

Population Group ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Major Barrier ◽

Age Appropriate

Community sport is seen as a suitable setting for physical activity for different population groups. Older adults (aged 50+ years) are a rapidly growing population group. Physical activity is critical for healthy ageing, however sport participation rates for older adults are very low. The aim of this study was to investigate how sporting organisations perceive sport for older adults. This cross-sectional study surveyed 171 representatives from Australian National and State Sporting Organisations. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the results and the three sporting organisation categories' (high, medium, and low participation) responses were compared using non-parametric statistics. Contextualised in the perspective of organisational change, a framework for marketing to the ageing consumer was used to interpret the results. Older adults are not a high priority group for most sporting organisations, however the benefits of engaging older adults were recognised, particularly in context of increasing participation numbers. A lack of age-appropriate programmes was perceived to be a major barrier of engaging older adults. This lack of programmes stems from older adults being deemed as a less attractive segment than other age groups for sporting organisations. Modifications that sports felt they could make to attract and/or retain older adults included specific marketing and age appropriate opportunities. There was widespread consensus across sporting organisations, suggesting that perceptions of older adult sport participation were comparable across the sector, such as increasing participation numbers and engaging their older fan base. In the context of attracting, and retaining, older adults in sport clubs, it was concluded that most sporting organisations are not (yet) ready to build “age friendly” sporting environments. There is very limited literature on the organisational perspective of older adults and sport, meaning this study is unique in the field. Although sport policy encourages organisations to grow their participation, most organisations do not actively and strategically engage older adults. This research provides an understanding of why this untapped market is not a priority target and provides comprehensive insights for policy makers to better engage with this population group.

Download Full-text

Engaging older adults as advocates for age-friendly, walkable communities: The Senior Change Makers Pilot Study

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/tbm/ibab098 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Christina M Patch ◽

Terry L Conway ◽

Jacqueline Kerr ◽

Elva M Arredondo ◽

Susan Levy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Low Income ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Senior Housing ◽

Advocacy Training ◽

Advocacy Program ◽

Transportation Activity

Abstract As the U.S. population ages, communities must adapt to help older adults thrive. Built environment features, like safe sidewalks and crosswalks, provide the foundation for age- and physical activity-friendly communities. Controlled studies are needed to evaluate advocacy training programs that instruct and support seniors to advocate for more walkable neighborhoods. The Senior Change Makers Pilot Study evaluated an advocacy program that taught seniors to evaluate pedestrian environments using the validated MAPS-Mini audit tool, identify barriers, and advocate for improvements. Participants (n = 50) were recruited from four low-income senior housing sites in San Diego, CA, which were randomly assigned to an 8-week advocacy program or physical activity (PA) comparison intervention. Evaluation included surveys, accelerometers to assess PA, and direct observation. Primary outcomes were seniors’ advocacy confidence and skills. Main analyses used repeated measures ANOVAs. Seniors in the advocacy condition (n = 17) increased their advocacy outcome efficacy (p = .03) and knowledge of resources (p = .04) more than seniors in the PA condition (n = 33). Most seniors in the advocacy condition completed a street audit (84%), submitted an advocacy request (79%), or made an advocacy presentation to city staff (58%). Environmental changes included repairs to sidewalks and crosswalks. City staff approved requests for lighting, curb cuts, and crosswalk markings. Seniors’ accelerometer-measured PA did not significantly increase, but self-reported transportation activity increased in the PA condition (p = .04). This study showed the potential of advocacy training to empower seniors to make communities more age- and activity-friendly.

Download Full-text