Physical Activity and Inactivity Impacts on Cognitive and Emotional Functioning in Later Life

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick D. Gajewski ◽  
Michael Falkenstein
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Brain Physiology ◽  
The Impact

Healthy aging is associated with changes in sensory, motor, cognitive, and emotional functions. Such changes depend on various factors. In particular, physical activity not only improves physical and motor but also cognitive and emotional functions. Observational (i.e., associations) and cross-sectional studies generally show a positive effect of regular physical exercise on cognition in older adults. Most longitudinal randomized controlled intervention studies also show positive effects, but the results are inconsistent due to large heterogeneity of methodological setups. Positive changes accompanying physical activity mainly impact executive functions, memory functions, and processing speed. Several factors influence the impact of physical activity on cognition, mainly the type and format of the activity. Strength training and aerobic training yield comparable but also differential benefits, and all should be used in physical activities. Also, a combination of physical activity with cognitive activity appears to enhance its effect on cognition in older age. Hence, such combined training approaches are preferable to homogeneous trainings. Studies of brain physiology changes due to physical activity show general as well as specific effects on certain brain structures and functions, particularly in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus, which are those areas most affected by advanced age. Physical activity also appears to improve cognition in patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and dementia and often ameliorates the disease symptoms. This makes physical training an important intervention for those groups of older people. Apart from cognition, physical activity leads to improvement of emotional functions. Exercise can lead to improvement of psychological well-being in older adults. Most importantly, exercise appears to reduce symptoms of depression in seniors. In future intervention studies it should be clarified who profits most from physical activity. Further, the conditions that influence the cognitive and emotional benefits older people derive from physical activity should be investigated in more detail. Finally, measures of brain activity that can be easily applied should be included as far as possible.

scholarly journals The Moderating Impact of Attending Services on the Effect of Older Adults’ Discrimination Experiences on Loneliness

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 323-323
Author(s):  
Dahee Kim ◽  
Kyuho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Religious Community ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Religious Behaviors ◽  
Religious Services ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Research has shown that perceived discriminations impact physical and mental health in later life. Discrimination experiences could make older adults consider themselves as a social misfit and decrease their social interactions, which finally increases their loneliness. Religious behaviors has been reported as a key factor of a lower sense of isolation. Considering that religious behaviors provide opportunities to engage in more extensive social networks and have supportive social ties with community members, attending religious services might decrease the impact of older adults’ perceived discrimination on loneliness. The current research aims to examine the moderating role of religious services attendance in the association between older adults’ perceived discrimination and loneliness. We used data of 4,488 adults aged 50 to 80 (M=66.27, SD=10.15) from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) collected in 2012 and 2014. Linear regression analysis was performed to investigate whether older adults’ religious service attendance might decrease the impact of their perceived discriminations in daily life on the level of loneliness. The results indicated that more perceived discriminations older adults face on a daily basis were significantly associated with higher levels of loneliness. However, participants who frequently attended religious services showed a lower impact of perceived discriminations on their loneliness. These findings highlight the positive effects of engaging in religious activities on discriminated older adults’ social well-being. These findings also emphasize the role of the religious community as a social resource for socially marginalized older adults.

scholarly journals Strategies Older New Zealanders Use to Participate in Day-To-Day Occupations

2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 509-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Hocking ◽  
Juanita Murphy ◽  
Kirk Reed
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Older People ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Public Health Messages ◽  
The Impact

Aim: This exploratory study aimed to uncover the strategies that older adults employ to ameliorate the impact of impairments and barriers to participation. Method: Eight participants were interviewed in their own homes, in a town or city in New Zealand. Findings: Inductive analysis of data revealed four main categories of strategies: strategies to keep safe, to recruit and accept help, to meet social and biological needs (nutritional and medical), and to conserve financial, material and bodily resources. Discussion: The study supports some previous findings of strategies used by older people, and demonstrates that enquiring into the strategies that older people devise and adopt into their own lives is a productive line of inquiry. The strategies described differ from those that occupational therapists recommend, and do not incorporate public health messages about the benefits of physical activity or recommendations about falls prevention. Conclusion: The findings suggest that asking older clients about the strategies that they use will uncover valuable information for therapists giving advice or issuing equipment to help older adults to manage in the community.

scholarly journals Sounds of Healthy Aging: Assessing Everyday Cognitive Activity From Real-Life Audio Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 622-622
Author(s):  
Burcu Demiray ◽  
Minxia Luo ◽  
Matthew Grilli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Prospective Memory ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
World Health ◽  
Recording Device

Abstract The healthy aging model of the World Health Organization (2015) highlights the value of assessing and monitoring everyday activities in understanding health in old age. This symposium includes four studies that used the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR), a portable recording device that periodically collects sound snippets in everyday life, to assess various real-life cognitive activities in the context of healthy aging. The four studies collected over 100,000 sound snippets (30-seconds long) over a few days from young and older adults in the US and Switzerland. Participants’ speech in the sound snippets were transcribed and coded for different cognitive activity information. Specifically, Haas and Kliegel have investigated the “prospective memory paradox” by examining the commonality and differences in utterances about retrospective and prospective memory failure in young and older adults’ everyday conversations. Demiray and colleagues investigated the relation between autobiographical memory functions and conversation types in young and older adults in relation to well-being. Luo and colleagues have identified the compensatory function of real-world contexts in cognitive aging: Their study showed that older adults benefited from talking with their spouse in producing complex grammatical structures. Finally, Polsinelli and colleagues found robust associations between language markers (e.g., prepositions, more numbers) and executive functions, highlighting the potential use of spontaneous speech in predicting cognitive status in healthy older adults. Finally, Prof. Matthew Grilli will serve as a discussant and provide an integrative discussion of the papers, informed by his extensive work on clinical and cognitive neuroscience of memory in relation to real-life contexts.

Determining the Long-Term Effectiveness of a Group-Based Physical Activity Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-408
Author(s):  
Anamica Batra ◽  
Richard C. Palmer ◽  
Elena Bastida ◽  
H. Virginia McCoy ◽  
Hafiz M. R. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Population Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Evidence Based Programs ◽  
The Impact

Objective. In 2015, only half (48%) of older adults in the United States (≥60 years) reported engaging in any kind of physical activity. Few studies examine the impact of evidence-based programs when adopted in community-based settings. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of EnhanceFitness (EF) upto 12-months. Method. EF was offered to older adults in South Florida. A total of 222 EF classes were offered between October 2008 and December 2014. Program consisted of a 1-hour session held three times a week. Even though participation was required for 4 months, 1,295 participants continued the program for at least 1 year. Results. All participants showed significant improvement in outcome measures. A mean change of 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9 was seen in number of chair stands at 4, 8, and 12 months (p < .001), respectively. The number of arm curls performed improved from 16.8 at baseline to 18.8, 18.8, and 19.2 at 4-, 8-, and 12-months, respectively. Participants improved their up-and-go time by decreasing from 9.1 (baseline) to 8.7 (4 months) to 8.6 (12 months; p = .001). Discussion. Randomized controlled trials are commonly used to determine the efficacy of an intervention. These interventions when disseminated at the population level have the potential to benefit large masses. EF is currently offered at more than 700 locations. This tremendous success of EF brings attention to an important question of continuous monitoring of these programs to ensure program consistency and intended outcomes. The model used by the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative could be replicated by other communities.

scholarly journals Older people’s perceptions of the impact of Dance for Health sessions in an acute hospital setting: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e044027
Author(s):  
Hilary Bungay ◽  
Suzanne Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Older People ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Acute Hospital ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Acute Hospital Setting

ObjectivesTo explore the perceptions of hospitalised older people and their relatives of the impact of taking part in group dance sessions in an acute hospital setting.DesignA qualitative descriptive approach was used.SettingAn acute hospital trust in the East of England.ParticipantsPurposive sample of dance group participants.InterventionWeekly music and movement sessions for frail older people on Department of Elderly Medicine Wards and the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit. Sessions take place in the ward and are facilitated by a dance artist supported by ward staff.ResultsTwenty-one semistructured interviews were conducted with older people and/or their relatives. Thematic analysis of the data identified three overarching themes: (1) dance as a physical activity, (2) dance as an opportunity for social interaction and (3) the dance group as a source of emotional support. Sessions were valued as an enjoyable way to undertake physical activity and provided an opportunity for social interaction between patients. This is important as loneliness and boredom are a common occurrence during hospitalisation and are detrimental to overall health and well-being. Patients reported an emotional impact though taking part; happiness from engaging with the group and the release of pent up emotions through the triggering of memories by the music and conversations within the group.ConclusionDance for Health provides a range of physical, social and emotional benefits for hospitalised older people. Further research is required to investigate the effectiveness of group dance sessions in increasing physical activity on an acute ward and the potential psychological benefits for hospitalised older people.

scholarly journals Learning Together During a Pandemic Lockdown: Connecting Older Mentors with Nursing Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 951-951
Author(s):  
Alison Phinney ◽  
Frances Affleck
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Education ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Older People ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Undergraduate Nursing ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Nursing education tends to focus on complex clinical issues affecting older adults who are acutely ill or in long-term care. This creates challenges for educators wanting to expose students to a greater range of experience, including realities of healthy aging. Opportunities to do things differently were presented when an established undergraduate nursing course on complex aging care underwent significant adjustment in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the course was condensed and moved online and clinical sites closed, invitations were extended to community-dwelling older people who wanted to “help teach nursing students about aging”. The response was overwhelming; over nine days, 118 people (ages 65-94) volunteered to be mentors. Through weekly online/ phone conversations, each person guided their assigned student to learn about diverse experiences of aging. Post-survey results showed the impact of these conversations. Over 90% of mentors felt they had contributed in a meaningful way to student learning and would do it again and recommend it to others. 85% of students felt it was a meaningful experience, offering comments like: “I am more mindful of my assumptions now” and “I learned to approach interactions with older adults as a collaboration; we have so much to give each other”. These results provide a needed counterpoint to the predominant COVID discourse of older people as “isolated, helpless, and needy”. Students came to understand that older people were also “engaged, active, and contributing” and identified how this had changed their view of aging. Implications for nursing education are explored.

scholarly journals The Impact of Physical Activity in Elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Adinda Nadira Larasati ◽  
Elman Boy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Lower Blood ◽  
The Impact

Physical activity has been identified as a protective factor for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and has been linked to slowing the onset of dementia, improved mental health, and improved quality of life and well-being. The increase in the number of the elderly population causes the need for special attention to the elderly, so that in addition to having a long life, the elderly can also enjoy their old age happily. Special attention is needed on promotional measures to support the elderly to participate in physical activity to help overcome the decline in functional capacity associated with aging. This literature review aims to provide an understanding of the impact of physical activity on the elderly. Elderly who do physical activity will get many positive effects, ranging from increasing bone density, reducing fat accumulation, increasing body mass index, reducing the risk of damage to the musculoskeletal system, reducing the risk for the development of cardiovascular disease, cancer, other chronic diseases, as hypertension management because it can lower blood pressure. Physical activity also greatly affects the increase in dopamine levels and changes in neutrophic factors that have neuroprotective functions so that they can inhibit cognitive decline and dementia, and BDNF as a neutrophic factor can help the elderly prevent symptoms of depression or anxiety.

scholarly journals SAÚDE DO IDOSO: ABORDAGEM PREVENTIVA EM UM GRUPO DE CAMINHADA

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Mayara Kerly Coelho Ponte ◽  
Roberto Cleber Silva de Oliveira ◽  
Raimunda Hermelinda Maia Macena ◽  
Vasco Pinheiro Diógenes Bastos ◽  
Thiago Brasileiro de Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
The City ◽  
Walking Group

Introdução: O envelhecimento é definido como um processo multidimensional, e este processo de envelhecimento, salvo ocorrências abreviadoras, são inevitáveis e inerentes a todos. A atividade física é o fator que prediz de forma mais consistente um envelhecimento saudável e qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Verificar o possível benefício das atividades físicas desenvolvidas por uma equipe multidisciplinar em um grupo de idosos. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo, transversal e descritivo, no qual foram acessados múltiplos casos em campo. Realizado através de entrevistas com idosos participantes de um grupo de caminhada. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado análise de conteúdo. Resultados: A análise de depoimentos dos idosos foi dividida em quatro questionamentos: Mudanças após o inicio no grupo – “melhora dos aspectos físico, social e mental”, Quais foram as mudanças - “diminuição das dores, câimbras e aumento do bem estar”, Qual atividade que mais gosta - “o alongamento e a dança, com alegria em mexer o corpo todo” e Como se sente após a atividade - “maior disposição e diminuição da sensação de cansaço”. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se que a prática de atividade física proporciona uma melhor qualidade de vida e bem estar geral. Observou-se também que os idosos tornaram-se mais eficazes e produtivos. OLDER ADULT HEALTH: PREVENTIVE APPROACH IN A WALKING GROUP ABSTRACT Ageing is defined as a multidimensional process and, this ageing process, except abridged occurrences, is inevitable and inherent to all people. Physical activity is a very important factor to a healthy ageing and to quality of life. This study aimed at verifying the possible benefits of physical activities developed by a multidisciplinary team in the perception of a group of older people. It is a qualitative, transversal and descriptive study, in which many cases were accessed. It was carried out through interviews with older adults who participate in a walking group. Content analysis was used for data analysis. For the present study, 10 older adults (2 men and 8 women) were evaluated; they participate in a walking group in the city of Sobral/CE. According to their opinion, regular physical activity designated to older population contributes to the improvement of health conditions in many aspects as physical, social and mental, according to the following statements: “improvement of physical, social and mental aspects”, “decreased pain and cramps and increased well-being”, "Stretching and dancing, with joy in moving the whole body" and "more disposition and decrease of the sensation of fatigue". It is evident that the practice of physical activity affords a better quality of life and well-being. It is also observed that the older people became more efficient and productive according to their own perception.

scholarly journals Impact of Home Quarantine on Physical Activity Among Older Adults Living at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Interview Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Goethals ◽  
Nathalie Barth ◽  
Jessica Guyot ◽  
David Hupin ◽  
Thomas Celarier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sedentary Lifestyle ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Physical Activity Programs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

BACKGROUND Older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions are at risk of death from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). In this period of quarantine, one of the reasons for going out is physical activity. This issue is important, as the impact of a sedentary lifestyle might be lower for children and young adults, but is far more severe for older adults. Although older adults need to stay at home because they have a higher risk of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), they need to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity is important for older adults, especially to maintain their level of independence, mental health, and well-being. Maintaining mobility in old age is necessary, as it may predict loss of independence in older adults. OBJECTIVE Our first objective was to evaluate the impact of this quarantine period on physical activity programs and on the physical and mental health of older adults. Our second objective was to discuss alternatives to physical activity programs that could be suggested for this population to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. METHODS We conducted a qualitative survey using semistructured interviews with professionals (managers in charge of physical activity programs for older adults and sports trainers who run these physical activity programs) from the French Federation of Physical Education and Voluntary Gymnastics (FFPEVG) and older adults participating in a physical activity program of the FFPEVG. We followed a common interview guide. For analysis, we carried out a thematic analysis of the interviews. RESULTS This study suggests that the COVID-19 epidemic has affected, before quarantine measures, the number of seniors attending group physical activity programs in the two study territories. In addition, despite the decline in their participation in group physical activities before the quarantine, older adults expressed the need to perform physical activity at home. There is a need to help older adults integrate simple and safe ways to stay physically active in a limited space. A national policy to support older adults for physical activity at home appears essential in this context. CONCLUSIONS Given the results of our study, it seems necessary to globally communicate how important it is for older adults to maintain physical activity at home. We are concerned about the level of independence and mental health state of older adults after the end of quarantine if there is no appropriate campaign to promote physical activity among them at home.

Subjective well-being amongst community-dwelling elders: what determines satisfaction with life? Findings from the Dublin Healthy Aging Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aine M. Ní Mhaoláin ◽  
Damien Gallagher ◽  
Henry O Connell ◽  
A. V. Chin ◽  
Irene Bruce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Older People ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Older Individuals

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.

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