Aging and Exercise: A Health Perspective

Habitual exercise provides protection against fatal coronary heart disease, extends longevity, and enhances quality of life. National surveys show less physical activity in older men and women compared with middle-aged and younger persons; older women are particularly sedentary. Although there are still few longitudinal studies on exercise and physical activity in older individuals, the data support a positive relationship between physical activity and health and function in older individuals. The data further show that with regular physical activity, health and physical fitness are maintained or even increased over time in older individuals. Studies on physical activity requirements for beneficial health effects in the elderly are reviewed and presented, and exercise recommendations for older individuals are given.

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The Analysis of Nutritional Habits of the Third Age Students in Poznań

Open Agriculture ◽

10.1515/opag-2020-0003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 21-29

Author(s):

Magdalena Pracka ◽

Marcin Dziedziński ◽

Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Eating Habits ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Body ◽

Nutritional Habits ◽

Third Age ◽

Waist To Hip Ratio ◽

The Third

AbstractIn recent years have seen increasing percentage of the elderly in the overall population. This has driven the attention to the lifestyle factors that influence the health and quality of life of this social group, including their nutrition and physical activity. Universities of the Third Age (U3A) are a valuable platform for the dissemination and broadening of the knowledge related to these topics. The nutritional habits of 61 U3A students in Poznań were evaluated on the basis of a modified KomPAN questionnaire. Their nutritional status was determined using the body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) indices. Nearly half of the respondents were overweight and 16% had first degree obesity. The WHR index in women was on average 0.8, while in men it was 1.01. Only 13% of the students declared regular eating, with 60% consuming 4-5 meals a day. Women were found to eat snacks between meals more often than men. It was also found that the majority of the elderly do not add salt to ready meals or sweeten beverages with sugars. Taking into account the observed nutritional problems and the occurrence of improper eating habits of the elderly, it is recommended to continue the education on the prevention of common diet-related diseased.

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The influence of the practice of physical activity on the quality of life, muscle strength, balance, and physical ability in the elderly

Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia ◽

10.1590/s1809-98232013000100012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 117-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mariana Martinez Orlando ◽

Maria Stella Peccin da Silva ◽

Império Lombardi Junior

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

The Elderly ◽

Physical Capacity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Elderly Individuals ◽

Assess Quality ◽

The City

INTRODUCTION: Ageing has become a huge public health challenge due to the need to find solutions for improving quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess quality of life, muscle strength, balance and physical capacity among elderly practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out involving 74 elderly individuals in the city of Santos (state of São Paulo, Brazil), divided into two groups: practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for the classification of the participants. The generic SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. The Berg scale was used for the analysis of balance. Dynamometry was used for the muscle strength test. The six-minute walk test was used for the assessment of physical capacity. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between elderly practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity regarding quality of life (p = 0.001), muscle strength (p = 0.001), balance (p = 0.001) and physical capacity (p = 0.001). The data also showed that aspects of quality of life were strongly correlated with physical capacity among the non-practitioners of physical activity (r = 0.741). CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals in the city of Santos (Brazil) who practice physical activity have better quality of life, muscle strength, physical capacity and balance in comparison to those who do not practice physical activity.

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POSTURAL DISORDERS IN THE ELDERLY IN STATIC ASSESSMENT

Wiadomości Lekarskie ◽

10.36740/wlek201909118 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 72 (9) ◽

pp. 1703-1707

Author(s):

Magdalena Sobiech ◽

Magdalena Zawadka ◽

Maciej Kochman ◽

Jaromir Jarecki ◽

Tomasz Blicharski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Premature Death ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Body ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Static Assessment ◽

Limited Physical Activity ◽

Active Recreation

Physical activity is one of the most important element of a healthy lifestyle and determinant of the physical and mental health. According to the WHO, limited physical activity is the fourth most common premature death risk factor in the world. Regular sport and active recreation is very important for our health. Physical exercise is the most effective method used by physiotherapists to prevent and slow down the aging process of the body, and consequently, diseases of elderly (e.g. osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension and injuries). Physical activity has a positive effect on the quality of life and cognitive functions of elderly. The physiotherapeutic program should be based on functional training involving the entire human body. To plan and monitor the effectiveness of the training, different types of tests are used to assess the functional status of elderly people. These tests are based on the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment considering the state of health, physical and mental fitness as well as social and environmental determinants.

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Key Life Differences for Older Men and Women

Uchenye Zapiski RGSU ◽

10.17922/2071-5323-2021-20-2-63-70 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 63-70

Author(s):

Dmitriy V. Savchenko ◽

◽

Svetlana N. Tereshchuk ◽

Keyword(s):

Older Women ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

The Elderly ◽

Older Men ◽

Spearman Rank Correlation ◽

Men And Women ◽

Spearman Rank ◽

Difference Criterion ◽

Older Men And Women ◽

Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient

This article examines the issue of gender differences in attitudes towards life in older people. The study found that older women are more positive about life than men. To process the research results, such methods of mathematical statistics as the Spearman rank correlation coefficient and the Mann– Whitney difference criterion were used. Based on the results of the work carried out, recommendations were formulated for specialists working with the elderly.

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Fragility and quality of life, the benefits of physical activity for the elderly

Gériatrie et Psychologie Neuropsychiatrie du Viellissement ◽

10.1684/pnv.2021.0924 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 127-136

Author(s):

Julien Vejux ◽

Solenn le Bruchec ◽

Valérie Bernat ◽

Gérard Beauvais ◽

Nathalie Beauvais ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

The Elderly

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47 Dual Tasking in Older Women: Physical Activity or Else?

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz164.47 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. iv9-iv12

Author(s):

Jennifer Muhaidat ◽

Emad Al-Yahya ◽

Maha Mohammad ◽

Dania Qutishat ◽

Rasha Okasheh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Older Women ◽

Stride Length ◽

Perceived Health ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Background The interplay between gender, Physical Activity (PA) and Dual Task (DT) gait in older adults is unclear. This study aimed to address DT gait based on gender and PA level in older adults. Methods Gait measures were collected using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) during the 10-meter and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests in single and DT conditions. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to measure PA. A total of 120 community-dwelling older adults (81 women and 39 men) took part. Participants were divided according to gender and PA level into four groups (women achieving (WA = 31), women not achieving (WN = 50), men Achieving (MA = 29) and men not achieving (MN = 10)). The achievement of PA was determined by total Metabolic Equivalent (MET) – Minute/week ≥ 600. Cognition, health-related quality of life, falls history and health status was measured. Results Women had poorer performance in time, gait velocity and stride length regardless of PA level. The cognitive condition had the greatest effect on gait parameters in all groups, except for stride length which decreased more under the motor condition. Women who did not achieve the PA guidelines had poorer perceived health-related quality of life than men who achieved and did not achieve the guidelines. Conclusions The findings suggest that women, regardless of PA level, experience greater deterioration under ST and DT conditions in 10-meter walk and TUG tests in terms of time and gait measures such as velocity and stride length. This interplay cannot be explained by PA alone since it could be reflective of poorer perceived health and frailty in older women. These findings are considered of importance when planning DT and PA interventions that aim to increase PA levels and promote function in older women.

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Physical Activity and Sitting Time Are Specifically Associated With Multiple Chronic Diseases and Medicine Intake in Brazilian Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2017-0271 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 608-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alex S. Ribeiro ◽

Luiz C. Pereira ◽

Danilo R.P. Silva ◽

Leandro dos Santos ◽

Brad J. Schoenfeld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Independent Association ◽

Older Men And Women ◽

Multiple Chronic Diseases

The purpose of the study was to clarify the independent association between sedentary behavior and physical activity with multiple chronic diseases and medicine intake in older individuals. Sedentary behavior and physical activity were measured by questionnaires. Diseases and medication use were self-reported. Poisson’s regression was adopted for main analysis, through crude and adjusted prevalence ratio and confidence interval of 95%. For men, sedentary time >4 hr/day presented a 76% higher prevalence of ≥2 chronic diseases, while physical inactivity increases the likelihood of using ≥2 medicines in 95%. For women, sedentary behavior >4 hr/day presented an 82% and 43% greater prevalence for ≥2 chronic diseases and the intake of ≥2 medicines, respectively. Sedentary behavior represents an independent associated factor of multiple chronic diseases in older men and women. In addition, inactivity for men and sedentarism for women are associated with the amount of medicine intake.

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Objectively measured physical activity and its influence on physical capacity and clinical parameters in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Lupus ◽

10.1177/0961203316674819 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (7) ◽

pp. 690-697 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

T Dassouki ◽

F B Benatti ◽

A J Pinto ◽

H Roschel ◽

F R Lima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Capacity ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

And Function

Objective The objectives of this paper are to objectively measure habitual physical activity levels in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) with mild disease activity and to determine to which extent it may be associated with physical capacity and function and clinical features. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 29 women with pSS were objectively assessed for habitual physical activity levels (using accelerometry) and compared with 20 healthy women (CTRL) frequency-matched for physical activity levels, age, body mass index, and body fat percentage with regard to physical capacity and function, fatigue, depression, pain, and health-related quality of life. Results pSS showed 8.5 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) when only MVPA accumulated in bouts ≥ 10 min was considered; when considering total MVPA (including bouts < 10 min), average levels were 26.3 min/day, with 62% of pSS patients achieving the recommendation (≥ 21.4 min/day). Moreover, pSS showed lower VO2peak, lower muscle strength and function, higher fatigue, and poorer health-related quality of life when compared with CTRL ( p < 0.05). These differences (except for aerobic capacity) were sustained even when only individuals achieving the minimum of 21.4 min/day of total MVPA in both groups were compared. Finally, MVPA time was significantly correlated with aerobic conditioning, whereas total counts and sedentary time were associated with lower-body muscle strength and the bodily-pain domain of SF-36 in patients with pSS. Conclusion When compared to physical activity-matched healthy controls, pSS patients showed reduced physical capacity and function, increased fatigue and pain, and reduced health-related quality of life. Except for aerobic conditioning, these differences were sustained when only more physically active participants were compared, indicating that minimum recommended levels of physical activity for the general population may not be sufficient to counteract pSS comorbidities.

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Physician Advice to the Elderly about Physical Activity

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.11.1.90 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 90-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Alseny Balde ◽

Jaime Figueras ◽

Dawn A. Hawking ◽

John R. Miller

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

The Elderly ◽

Physician Counseling ◽

Overweight Status ◽

Physician Advice ◽

Counseling Practices

Lack of physical activity is an increasing public-health problem. Physicians should counsel elderly patients to maintain regular physical activity in order to retain functionality and quality of life. This study examined the patterns of physician advice about physical activity in an elderly population. A homogeneous group of older adults living in public housing (N= 146) was surveyed to determine the extent to which they received such advice. Their mean age was 77.9 ± 7 years, 74% were women, 70.5% were White, and 53.4% had high school education or less. We assessed the association between physician counseling practices and the participants’ demographic characteristics, overweight status, and type of physical activity performed. The prevalence rate of physician counseling was 61.6%. Elderly men who were married and those who were overweight were most likely to receive advice. Routine physician counseling of elderly patients regardless of overweight status could contribute to improving their quality of life.

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