No “Old Fool”: 88 Years Old and Still Running

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A. Roper ◽  
Douglas J. Molnar ◽  
Craig A. Wrisberg
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Adaptive Strategy ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Master Runner

In the sport, physical activity, and aging literature, much attention has been given to the importance of physical activity and sport involvement for the elderly. Most of the literature, however, has focused on the continuity of physical activity among older adults. The purpose of this study was to extend the understanding of older sport participants by conducting a case study of Max Springer, a male, White master runner (88 years old). We assumed that continuity in sport would represent a primary adaptive strategy for coping with the aging process. In addition to two in-depth interviews with Max, the authors interviewed various other “participants” regarding their perceptions of Max as an older runner. From deductive analysis of the interview material, the following themes emerged as figural to Max’s experience as an older runner: tradition of always being physically active, I’m not an athlete, being of senior age, meaning and philosophy of running, and significance of social support.

A Meta-Study of Qualitative Research on Social Support Related to Physical Activity Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
L. Jayne Beselt ◽  
Michelle C. Patterson ◽  
Meghan H. McDonough ◽  
Jennifer Hewson ◽  
Scott MacKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Supportive Behaviors ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Barriers And Challenges

Physical activity (PA) and social support have known benefits for the well-being and health of older adults, and social support is associated with PA behavior and positive affective experiences in PA contexts. The aim of this study was to synthesize qualitative research conducted on the experiences of social support related to PA among older adults (age ≥55 years). Following meta-study methodology, the authors searched nine databases and extracted information from 31 studies. Results were synthesized in terms of common themes and in light of theoretical and methodological perspectives used. The qualitative literature identifies supportive behaviors and social network outcomes which may be useful for informing how best to support older adults to be physically active. This literature rarely reflected the experiences of vulnerable populations, and future research should aim to further understand supportive behaviors which enable older adults to overcome barriers and challenges to being physically active.

scholarly journals Experiences of Habitual Physical Activity in Maintaining Roles and Functioning among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadeel Halaweh ◽  
Ulla Svantesson ◽  
Carin Willén
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Habitual Physical Activity ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Status ◽  
Protective Strategy ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Age Related Changes

Physically active older adults have reduced risk of functional restrictions and role limitations. Several aspects may interrelate and influence habitual physical activity (PA). However, older adults’ own perspectives towards their PA need to be addressed. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of habitual physical activity in maintaining roles and functioning among older adult Palestinians ≥60 years. Data were collected through in-depth interviews based on a narrative approach. Seventeen participants were recruited (aged 64–84 years). Data were analyzed using a narrative interpretative method.Findings. Three central narratives were identified,“keep moving, stay healthy,”“social connectedness, a motive to stay active,”and “adapting strategies to age-related changes.” Conclusion. Habitual physical activity was perceived as an important factor to maintain functioning and to preserve active roles in older adults. Walking was the most prominent pattern of physical activity and it was viewed as a vital tool to maintain functioning among the older adults. Social connectedness was considered as a contributing factor to the status of staying active. To adapt the process of age-related changes in a context to stay active, the participants have used different adapting strategies, including protective strategy, awareness of own capabilities, and modifying or adopting new roles.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Exercise Attenuates Immunosenescence; Flow Cytometry Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tylutka ◽  
Barbara Morawin ◽  
Artur Gramacki ◽  
Agnieszka Zembron-Lacny
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Immune System ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Flow Cytometry Analysis ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Inactive Group

Abstract Background: Interaction of physical activity and overall immune profile is very complex and depends on the intensity, duration and frequency of undertaken physical activity, the exposure to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and the age-related changes in the immune system. Daily physical activity, which particularly influences immunity, declines dramatically with age. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explain whether physical activity sustained throughout life can attenuate or reverse immunosenescence. Methods: Ninety-nine older adults (60-90 years) were recruited for the study. According to the 6-min walk test (6WMT), the Åstrand-Ryhming bike test (VO2max) and Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire, the individuals were classified as physically active (n=34) and inactive (n=20) groups. The analysis of T lymphocytes between active vs. inactive participants was performed using eight-parameter flow cytometry.Results: Analysis of the baseline peripheral naïve and memory T lymphocytes showed a significant relationship of lifestyle exercise with CD4/CD8 ratio. Above 50% of physically active participants demonstrated the CD4/CD8 ratio ≥1 or ≤2.5 contrary to the inactive group who showed the ratio <1. The elderly with the result of 6WMT >1.3 m/s and VO2max >35 mL/kg/min had a significantly higher CD4+CD45RA+ T lymphocyte percentage and also a higher ratio of CD4+CD45RA+/CD4+CD45RO+.Interestingly, in active older adults with IgG CMV+ (n=30) the count of CD4+CD45RA+ T lymphocytes was higher than in the inactive group with IgG CMV+ (n=20). Conclusion: Based on the flow cytometry analysis, we concluded that lifestyle exercise could lead to rejuvenation of the immune system by increasing the percentage of naïve T lymphocytes or by reducing the tendency of the inverse CD4/CD8 ratio.

scholarly journals Sport, physical activity and social health in older adults. Caring with technology in the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 101269022110456
Author(s):  
Ivana Matteucci
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Short Version ◽  
The Social ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this paper was to photograph this precise moment in history, focusing on the situation of older adults during the COVID-19 health emergency in Northern Italy. In particular, we analysed the relationship between social networks and social support, sport and recreational activity, and the use of communications technologies in December 2020. We investigated and discussed such use of technologies, wondering if and how it helped to compensate for the diminishment in social health, usually gained trough social interactions and the practice of sport and physical activity. We examined how reduction of mobility, social distancing and isolation measures imposed by the government to reduce the spread of COVID-19, affected the living conditions of the older adults, in particular their social health, and the level of sport and physical activity they were engaged in. We collected data through interviews with the subjects, assessing their social networks, the perceived social support provided by their family members, friends and caregivers, and the level of sport and physical activity they were engaged in. Moreover, we analysed the impact of technological communications devices, which were employed to help older adults to maintain their relationships with the outside world and to preserve their active life. The interview questions were formulated based on the Lubben Social Network Scale-Revised (LSNS-R), the short version of the Social Support List (SSL12-I) for the elderly and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). A relationship was found between the social health related to physical activity of the older adults subjects during the COVID-19 emergency and the use of communications technologies, which played a role in mitigating the impact of the crisis on their social health by helping them to keep physically and socially active.

scholarly journals Can physical activity influence the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on older adults?

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco José Gondim Pitanga ◽  
Cristiano Penas Seara Pitanga ◽  
Carmem Cristina Beck
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Influenza Vaccines ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Response Capacity ◽  
Opinion Article

Abstract Studies have shown reductions in the immune response capacity with the aging process (immunosenescence). Lifestyle factors (physical activity and diet) have been investigated as possible adjuvants to improve the effect of vaccines on the immune system in the elderly. The aim of this opinion article is to analyze studies on physical activity and the effect of influenza vaccines in an attempt to suggest that their results can also be found in future studies on physical activity and vaccines against COVID-19. Considering the results of the studies analyzed, it could be suggested that the practice of physical activity improves responses to the influenza vaccine. Thus, it could be assumed that, when transferring these findings to COVID-19, the importance of regular physical activity in the specific elderly population becomes extremely relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Acute, exercise-induced alterations in cytokines and chemokines in the blood distinguish physically active and sedentary aging

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren G MacNeil ◽  
Mark A Tarnopolsky ◽  
Justin D Crane
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Post Exercise ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Aging results in a chronic, pro-inflammatory state which can promote and exacerbate age-associated diseases. In contrast, physical activity in older adults improves whole body health, protects against disease, and reduces inflammation, but the elderly are less active making it difficult to disentangle the effects of aging from a sedentary lifestyle. To interrogate this interaction, we analyzed peripheral blood collected at rest and post-exercise from 68 healthy younger and older donors that were either physically active aerobic exercisers or chronically sedentary. Subjects were profiled for 44 low-abundance cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in peripheral blood. At rest, we found that regular physical activity had no impact on the age-related elevation in circulating IL-18, eotaxin, GRO, IL-8, IP-10, PDGF-AA or RANTES. Similarly, there was no impact of physical activity on the age-related reduction in VEGF, EGF or IL-12 (p70). However, older exercisers had lower resting plasma fractalkine, IL-3, IL-6 and TNF-α compared to sedentary older adults. In contrast to our resting characterization, blood responses following acute exercise produced more striking difference between groups. Physically active younger and older subjects increased over 50% of the analyzed factors in their blood which resulted in both unique and overlapping exercise signatures. However, sedentary individuals, particularly the elderly, had few detectable changes in response to exercise. Overall, we show that long term physical activity has a limited effect on age-associated changes in basal cytokines and chemokines in the healthy elderly, yet physically active individuals exhibit a broader induction of factors post-exercise irrespective of age.

Self-Efficacy and Balance Correlates of Fear of Falling in the Elderly

1997 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward McAuley ◽  
Shannon L. Mihalko ◽  
Karl Rosengren
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Independent Effects

This study examined relationships among physical activity patterns, self-efficacy, balance, and fear of falling in older adults. Fifty-eight older adults (52-85 years) completed measures of physical activity, self-efficacy, and fear of falling. Subjects then performed the items found in the Berg Balance Scale (Berg, Wood-Dauphinee, Williams, & Maki, 1992). More physically active adults were less fearful of falling, had better balance, and had stronger perceptions of efficacy. Those with better balance were less fearful of falling, and females were more fearful than males. Balance and self-efficacy had significant independent effects on fear, whereas the contribution of history of physical activity was nonsignificant. The findings suggest that behavioral, social cognitive, and biological factors may be important correlates of fear of falling. Further support is provided for the utility of self-efficacy measures in the prediction of fear of falling, although reliance on any one measure to assess this construct may underestimate the role of self-efficacy.

Barriers and Facilitators for the Romanian Older Adults in Enjoying Physical Activity Health-Related Benefits

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12511
Author(s):  
Constanta Urzeala ◽  
Veronica Popescu ◽  
Daniel Courteix ◽  
Georgeta Mitrache ◽  
Mihaela Roco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active

Older adults are considered a vulnerable category within the population, which is exposed to an accelerated risk of functional degeneration. The purpose of this study was to explore different facilitating factors and possible existing barriers to being physically active in older age in urban areas of Romania. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 172 participants who were asked to assess their health, on a scale from 1 to 3, and to fill out two questionnaires: 1. Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly; 2. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Participants were also asked to specify to what extent they performed different leisure activities during the last week. SPSS was used for data analysis. The chi-squared test, t-test, ANOVA, and MANOVA emphasised the differences between participants, at p < 0.05. Regarding health condition, 27.3% of participants responded that their health was good, 53.5%—satisfactory, and 19.2%—not so good. The results showed significant differences between older adults participating in Elderly Clubs and non-participants, only in terms of PASE leisure. There were significant multivariate effects of the variables Gender and Stable life partner regarding PASE leisure. Weak negative correlations were identified between leisure physical activities and emotional state. Among the proposed leisure activities, watching TV and listening to music represented the most frequent preferences of the participants. The older adults participating in this study preferred to become involved with different physical activities, in conjunction with their habits, health, age, sex, stable life partner, and Elderly Club participation.

scholarly journals Meanings of physical activity practice for the elderly

1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Fonseca Halley ◽  
◽  
Marcos Gonçalves Maciel ◽  
Cynthia de Freitas Melo ◽  
José Clerton de Oliveira Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Private University ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Elderly Living ◽  
Current Stage

The current stage of civilization is distinguished by an increase of the number of elderly people, which results in the conduction of researches on the subject. Investigations about physical activity also rise, especially focusing on an epidemiological perspective. In this scenario, new studies bring alternatives to this hegemonic view, such as humanized physical activity. The present study has aimed to analyze the meanings of the practice for physically active elderly living in Fortaleza-Ce. Considering the scientific research method, a qualitative matrix has been the choice. Eighteen elderly men and women participated in the research, 12 females and six males, with a mean age of 69.8±6,92 years. The investigation was carried out in an association and in a private university, which have physical activity projects with the investigated public. For the data collection, in-depth interviews have been conducted, analyzed by the IRaMuTeQ software. As of the results, socialization, biological benefits, the daily move, the reduction of illnesses and a healthy life were the meanings the elderly have reported relating to the habit of physical activity. Therefore, it’s possible to infer that the speeches of those elderly have been run through by aspects of the epidemiologic perspective, keeping limited connections with the subjective point of view.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Exercise Attenuates Immunosenescence; Flow Cytometry Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tylutka ◽  
Barbara Morawin ◽  
Artur Gramacki ◽  
Agnieszka Zembron-Lacny
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Immune System ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Inactive Group

Abstract Background: Interaction of physical activity and the immune response is very complex and depends on the intensity, duration and frequency of undertaken physical activity, the exposure to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and the age-related changes in the immune system. The daily physical activity, which particularly influences immunity, declines dramatically with age. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explain whether physical activity sustained throughout life can attenuate or reverse immunosenescenceMethods: Ninety-nine older adults (60-90 years) from the University of the Third Age were recruited for the study. According to the 6-min walk test (6WMT), the Åstrand-Ryhming bike test (VO2max) and Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire, the individuals were classified as physically active (n=34) and inactive (n=20) groups. The analysis of T lymphocytes between active vs. inactive was performed using eight-parameter CyFlow. Results: Analysis of the baseline peripheral naïve and memory T cells showed a significant relationship of lifestyle exercise with immunity risk profile (IRP) expressed by the CD4/CD8 ratio. Above 50% of physically active subjects demonstrated IRP ≥1 or ≤2.5 contrary to the inactive group who had IRP <1. The elderly with the result of 6WMT >1.3 m/s and VO2max >35 mL/kg/min had a significantly higher of CD4+ naïve T lymphocyte count and also a higher ratio of CD4+naïve/CD4+ memory. Interestingly, in active older adults with IgG CMV+ (n=30) the percentage of CD4+naïve T lymphocytes was higher than in the inactive group with IgG CMV+ (n=20).Conclusion: Based on the cytometry flow analysis, we concluded that lifestyle exercise could lead to rejuvenation of the immune system by increasing the naïve T cells count or by reducing the tendency of the inverse CD4/CD8 ratio.

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