German senior citizens’ capabilities for physical activity: a qualitative study

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1117-1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Sauter ◽  
Janina Curbach ◽  
Jana Rueter ◽  
Verena Lindacher ◽  
Julika Loss
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Individual Factors ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Active Lifestyles

Abstract Sen’s capability approach (CA) has found its way into health promotion over the last few years. The approach takes both individual factors as well as social and environmental conditions into account and therefore appears to have great potential to explore opportunities for (‘capabilities’) and barriers to active lifestyles. Thus, our objective in this study was to investigate which capabilities senior citizens perceive to have available to them in order to be physically active. In Southern Germany, we conducted 26 semi-standardized interviews with senior citizens aged 66–97, as well as 9 interviews with key persons who have close contact to senior citizens in their work life. We identified 11 capabilities which the interviewees considered as important in leading an active lifestyle. They could be grouped into four domains: (1) individual resources, (2) social interactions and norms, (3) living conditions and (4) organizational environment. Results highlight the need for health-promoting interventions that widen the range of capabilities on social and environmental levels in a way that individuals can freely choose to be as physically active as they like. The results make clear that interventions should not only target and involve older adults themselves, but also their families, nursing home staff or community representatives, because these groups are important in shaping older adults’ capabilities for an active lifestyle.

scholarly journals Expectations Regarding Aging, Physical Activity, and Physical Function in Older Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 233372141770235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aili I. Breda ◽  
Amber S. Watts
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Function Method ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Active Lifestyles ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: The present study examined how expectations regarding aging (ERA) influence physical activity participation and physical function. Method: We surveyed 148 older adults about their ERA (ERA-38), health-promoting lifestyles (HPLP-II), and self-rated health (RAND-36). We tested the mediating effect of physical activity on the relationships between ERA and physical function. Results: Positive expectations were associated with more engagement in physical activity ( B = 0.016, p < .05) and better physical function ( B = 0.521, p < .01). Physical activity mediated the relationship between ERA and physical function ( B = 5.890, p < .01, indirect effect 0.092, CI = [0.015, 0.239]). Discussion: ERA play an important role in adoption of physically active lifestyles in older adults and may influence health outcomes, such as physical function. Future research should evaluate whether attempts to increase physical activity are more successful when modifications to ERA are also targeted.

scholarly journals The Effects of a Physically Active Lifestyle on the Health of Former Professional Football Players

Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuba Melekoğlu ◽  
Erdi Sezgin ◽  
Ali Işın ◽  
Ayşen Türk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Conduction Delay ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Intraventricular Conduction ◽  
Family Medical History ◽  
Active Lifestyles

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a physically active lifestyle affects the health of former football players. Sixty former professional football players aged 40–50 years and who ended their sports career at least ten years ago were recruited for the study and grouped into two groups based on their physical activity habits after their retirement. Health and lifestyle characteristics were collected through a questionnaire to obtain information about recreational physical activity levels, diseases, family medical history, smoking, alcohol intake and dietary habits. Furthermore, lung functions, blood parameters and cardiovascular health were evaluated. Our results showed that body weight and body fat percentage were significantly higher in retired footballers who had a sedentary lifestyle compared to those who were physically active. The absolute and predicted values for forced expiratory volume in one-second values were higher in the active group. Twelve retired athletes were found to have intraventricular conduction delay. The findings suggest that former footballers who have higher levels of physical activity have advanced body composition, respiratory functions and serum lipids compared to former footballers with less active lifestyles. It is recommended that former elite athletes should maintain physically active lifestyles to sustain their health and reduce the risk of disease and disability in the later years of life.

scholarly journals Vergelyking van die uitwerking van sedentêre en aktiewe werkomgewings op algehele welstand

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peet Du Toit ◽  
Lee-Anne Naicker ◽  
Evangeline Nortje ◽  
Michael Kleynhans ◽  
Ronél Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Body ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Primary Responsibility ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Individual

The concept of wellness has changed over the decades with the ever-changing lifestyle of society as it adapts to technological advances. The contemporary view is that wellness is the primary responsibility of the individual and is accomplished by practising health-promoting behaviour. There are various factors that contribute to wellness in the sense of an individual’s long-term sense of overall well-being. One of the most essential factors is physical activity, and there is a large body of research that explores the benefits of a physically active lifestyle. This article is based on the assumption that the most accurate way to measure these benefits are to compare an active with a sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of this review is to clarify the concept of wellness and highlight the benefits of a physically active working environment as opposed to the disadvantages of a sedentary environment in attaining overall wellbeing.

scholarly journals A Possible Preventive Role of Physically Active Lifestyle during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic; Might Regular Cold-Water Swimming and Exercise Reduce the Symptom Severity of COVID-19?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7158
Author(s):  
Viktor Bielik ◽  
Marian Grendar ◽  
Martin Kolisek
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Infection ◽  
Acute Respiratory Infection ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Recreational Athletes ◽  
Active Lifestyles

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and course of COVID-19 and the risk of an upper respiratory tract infection in a group of people with physically active lifestyles. Data were collected anonymously using an online survey platform during December 2020. The age of participants ranged from 18 to 65 years. Out of 2343 participants, 11.5% overcame COVID-19 infection. Relative to the control group (CTRL), physically active, cold-water swimmers (PACW) did not exhibit a lower risk of incidence for COVID-19 (RR 1.074, CI 95% (0.710–1.625). However, PACW had a higher chance of having an asymptomatic course of COVID-19 (RR 2.321, CI 95% (0.836–6.442); p < 0.05) and a higher chance of only having an acute respiratory infection once or less per year than CTRL (RR 1.923, CI 95% (1.1641–2.253); p < 0.01). Furthermore, PACW exhibited a lower incidence of acute respiratory infection occurring more than twice per year (RR 0.258, CI 95% (0.138–0.483); p < 0.01). Cold-water swimming and physical activity may not lessen the risk of COVID-19 in recreational athletes. However, a physically active lifestyle might have a positive effect on the rate of incidence of acute respiratory infection and on the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

Being physically active in old age: relationships with being active earlier in life, social status and agents of socialisation

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1097-1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
JESUS MARTÍNEZ DEL CASTILLO ◽  
JOSÉ EMILIO JIMÉNEZ-BEATTY NAVARRO ◽  
JOSÉ LUIS GRAUPERA SANZ ◽  
MARÍA MARTÍN RODRÍGUEZ ◽  
ANTONIO CAMPOS IZQUIERDO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
The Social ◽  
Active Lifestyles

ABSTRACTCritical reviews of the literature on the factors that influence physical activity among older adults have argued that existing theoretical frameworks should be extended by integrating those that deal with the complex processes of socialisation and social learning. This paper explores some of the social processes that influence older people's participation in physical activity (beyond that associated with everyday domestic tasks). A questionnaire with items on personal, social and environmental characteristics was completed by a random sample of older adults in the Madrid Autonomous Region (Spain). Significant relationships were found between the type of physical activity participation and: being physically active at earlier life stages, socio-economic status, the encouragement of others or social support in being active, and the knowledge and availability of local facilities. Some cases were observed of re-socialisation into physical activity among those who had been inactive earlier in life, and both appropriate environmental and supportive social conditions appeared instrumental. The findings could usefully inform the design of future social programmes to promote active lifestyles in later life, but given the complexity of the socialisation processes, it would be advisable for future studies to examine other than the four factors featured in the presented analysis, such as the role of cultural differences.

Health Promoting Effects of Friends and Family on Health Outcomes in Older Adults

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 362-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa E. Seeman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Biological Pathways ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Health Promoting

Objective. To highlight the significant impact of social relationships on health and illness and suggest implications of these effects for health promotion efforts among older adults. Data Sources. Published studies on social relationships and health (or health behaviors) for the period 1970–1998 were identified through MEDLINE by using the key words social relationships, social support, and health, as well as review of health-related journals such as the American Journal of Epidemiology, Annals of Epidemiology, American Journal of Public Health, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Social Science and Medicine, and the Journals of Gerontology. Study Selection. Major published original research was considered. Where published research was too extensive for full discussion of all studies, preference was given to studies focusing on older adults and those using stronger methodology (i.e., representative samples, longitudinal data, or multivariate analyses controlling for potential confounders). Data Extraction. Reported findings were organized in terms of three major categories: (1) results related to major health outcomes such as mortality, CHD, and depression; (2) findings related to health behaviors; and (3) findings related to potential biological pathways for observed health effects of social relationships. Data Synthesis. Protective effects of social integration with respect to mortality risk among older adults are the most thoroughly documented, although protective effects have also been documented with respect to risks for mental and physical health outcomes and for better recovery after disease onset. There is also now a growing awareness of the potential for negative health effects from social relationships that are characterized by more negative patterns of critical and/or demanding interactions, including increased risks for depression and angina. Biological pathways are suggested by evidence that more negative social interactions are associated with physiological profiles characterized by elevated stress hormones, increased cardiovascular activity, and depressed immune function, whereas more positive, supportive social interactions are associated with the opposite profile. Conclusions. Available data clearly indicate that social relationships have the potential for both health promoting and health damaging effects in older adults, and that there are biologically plausible pathways for these effects. Such evidence suggests that aspects of the social environment could play an important role in future health promotion efforts for older adults, although careful consideration of both potentially positive as well as negative social influences is needed.

Older adults with chronic disease: Benefits of group-mediated counseling in the promotion of physically active lifestyles.

2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Jack Rejeski ◽  
Lawrence R. Brawley ◽  
Walter T. Ambrosius ◽  
Peter H. Brubaker ◽  
Brian C. Focht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Active Lifestyles

scholarly journals Physically Active Lifestyle Is Associated With Attenuation of Hippocampal Dysfunction in Cognitively Intact Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamir Eisenstein ◽  
Nir Giladi ◽  
Talma Hendler ◽  
Ofer Havakuk ◽  
Yulia Lerner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Memory Encoding ◽  
Hippocampal Function ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Hippocampal Dysfunction ◽  
Cognitively Intact

Alterations in hippocampal function have been shown in older adults, which are expressed as changes in hippocampal activity and connectivity. While hippocampal activation during memory demands has been demonstrated to decrease with age, some older individuals present increased activity, or hyperactivity, of the hippocampus which is associated with increased neuropathology and poor memory function. In addition, lower functional coherence between the hippocampus and core hubs of the default mode network (DMN), namely, the posteromedial and medial prefrontal cortices, as well as increased local intrahippocampal connectivity, were also demonstrated in cognitively intact older adults. Aerobic exercise has been shown to elicit neuroprotective effects on hippocampal structure and vasculature in aging, and improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness have been suggested to mediate these exercise-related effects. However, how these lifestyle factors relate to hippocampal function is not clear. Fifty-two cognitively intact older adults (aged 65–80 years) have been recruited and divided into physically active (n = 29) or non-active (n = 23) groups based on their aerobic activity lifestyle habits. Participants underwent resting-state and task-based fMRI experiments which included an associative memory encoding paradigm followed by a post-scan memory recognition test. In addition, 44 participants also performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness by measuring peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak). While both groups demonstrated increased anterior hippocampal activation during memory encoding, a physically active lifestyle was associated with significantly lower activity level and higher memory performance in the recognition task. In addition, the physically active group also demonstrated higher functional connectivity of the anterior and posterior hippocampi with the core hubs of the DMN and lower local intra-hippocampal connectivity within and between hemispheres. Vo2peak was negatively associated with the hippocampal activation level and demonstrated a positive correlation with hippocampal-DMN connectivity. According to these findings, an aerobically active lifestyle may be associated with attenuation of hippocampal dysfunction in cognitively intact older adults.

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