Sports injuries in older people

Author(s):  
Cathy Speed

A generally enhanced health status in an increasingly ageing population allows many to maintain high physical activity levels, and competitive masters and seniors events are becoming progressively more popular. This, together with the recognition of the importance of exercise to mitigate or even reverse many age-related changes, means that the physician in sport and exercise medicine requires a high index of awareness of the specific issues that arise in relation to sporting injury in the ageing individual. These issues include not only recognition and management of sports injuries ...

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 557-566
Author(s):  
Mark Stevens ◽  
Tegan Cruwys

Abstract Background Physical activity tends to decline in older age, despite being key to health and longevity. Previous investigations have focused on demographic and individual factors that predict sustained physical activity. Purpose To examine whether engaging in physical activity in the context of sport or exercise group membership can protect against age-related physical activity decline. Methods Drawn from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, participants were members of sport or exercise groups aged 50 and over (N = 2015) as well as nonmember controls, who were matched at baseline for age, sex, and physical activity levels (N = 1881). Longitudinal mixed effects models were used to assess the effect of sport or exercise group membership on physical activity and longevity across a 14-year follow-up. Results Members of sport or exercise groups experienced an attenuated decline in both moderate and vigorous physical activity over a 14-year follow-up compared to physically active matched controls. Sport or exercise group members were also less likely to have died at follow-up, an effect that was mediated through sustained physical activity. Conclusions Promoting membership in sport and exercise groups may be a beneficial strategy for supporting sustained physical activity and health among older people.


Author(s):  
Hazizi Abu Saad ◽  
Pei Kit Low ◽  
Rosita Jamaluddin ◽  
Huei Phing Chee

Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle have been linked to the occurrence of non-communicable diseases. This study’s purpose was to determine physical activity levels and sedentary behaviours among primary healthcare workers in Perak, Malaysia, as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted at 12 health clinics in Perak, Malaysia, to determine physical activity levels, sedentary behaviours and factors associated with physical inactivity among primary healthcare workers. Each respondent completed a self-administered questionnaire relating to socio-demographic characteristics, including anthropometric measurements such as body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage, and the English and Malay version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. A total of 261 primary healthcare workers participated in this study; 45.6% were classified as physically inactive, spending a median of five hours daily engaged in sedentary behaviours. In terms of metabolic equivalent min per week, male workers had significantly higher physical activity than females. Self-reported health status and longer sitting times were significantly associated with physical inactivity. Logistic regression showed that poor health status was 1.84 times less likely to be associated with physical activity (p = 0.036, Confidence Interval = 1.04–3.24). Due to the high prevalence of physical inactivity, action is needed to increase physical activity among healthcare workers.


2020 ◽  
pp. 201-216
Author(s):  
Shigeru Inoue ◽  
Hiroyuki Kikuchi ◽  
Shiho Amagasa

The 1964 Tokyo Olympics left a legacy of economic development and increased interest in exercise participation in Japan. Evidence was starting to accumulate that physical activity was good for health, including prevention of non-communicable disease. Policies for physical activity promotion appeared around this time. Currently, physical activity levels are higher among Japanese adults than those from other countries. An ecological finding indicates that the inequality was inversely correlated with country levels of physical activity. The activity-friendly neighbourhood environments of Japanese cities provide equal opportunities for walking in daily life for the general population. A well-designed school education system has contributed to enhancing physical activity and reducing its inequality. However, recent changes in city planning in Japan have promoted a car-dependent society. Consequently, Japanese physical activity has decreased in the last few decades. Now, policy (Health Japan 21) includes a socio-environmental approach which aims to reverse decreasing activity levels. The 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games have the potential to reshape social trends in sport and exercise participation. In super-ageing societies, physical activity will play an important role in reducing the burden of age-related problems such as functional decline.


Author(s):  
EVA LESLIE ◽  
MICHAEL J. FOTHERINGHAM ◽  
NEVILLE OWEN ◽  
ADRIAN BAUMAN

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