Cognitive Functioning as a Moderator in the Relationship Between the Perceived Neighborhood Physical Environment and Physical Activity in Belgian Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 890-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freja Gheysen ◽  
Karel Herman ◽  
Delfien Van Dyck

Objective: To investigate whether the relationship of neighborhood environmental factors with physical activity (PA) is moderated by cognitive functioning in Belgian older adults. Methods: Seventy-one older adults completed validated questionnaires on PA and environmental perceptions, wore an accelerometer, and completed a computerized assessment of cognitive functioning. Moderated linear regression analyses were conducted in SPSS 24.0. Results: Overall cognitive functioning significantly moderated the associations of traffic safety and street connectivity with PA. Detailed analyses showed that these factors were only positively associated with PA in older adults with lower cognitive functioning. In addition, particularly, performance on tests assessing visuospatial and episodic memory moderated these associations. Discussion: Living in traffic-safe neighborhoods with short and many alternative routes might motivate older adults with lower cognitive functioning to be active. As such, the increase in PA might improve their cognitive abilities. This knowledge is crucial for health practitioners to develop effective PA promotion initiatives.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-16
Author(s):  
Petr Vajda ◽  
Kateřina Strašilová ◽  
Lenka Svobodová

BACKGROUNDː The COVID-19 outbreak forced many states to introduce public health and social measures (PHSM), which may pose an obstacle to performing physical activity (PA).METHODS: This study investigated PA levels and their changes and perceived stress in a sample of 193 participants (aged 71.21 ± 4.87 years) engaged in exercise lessons prior to PSHM. Data were collected via an online survey distributed directly to the participants. The survey included two instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale.RESULTS: The results indicate that sports habits may be a protective factor in staying active and meting PA recommendations. Nevertheless, there were no associations between the number of exercise lessons in the pre-COVID-19 period and PA level or the perceived change in PA during PSHM. Ability to replace the cancelled exercise lesson with PA of similar duration and intensity was negatively associated with PA levels and its change. The PSS-10 score suggests that the sample did not experience a significant increase in perceived stress, but the relationship of this outcome to PA is unclear.CONCLUSIONS: The promotion of alternative PA that could be performed during PHSM and building long-term exercise habits in older adults should be considered. 


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark G. Davis ◽  
Kenneth R. Fox ◽  
Afroditi Stathi ◽  
Tanya Trayers ◽  
Janice L. Thompson ◽  
...  

The relationship of objectively measured sedentary time (ST), frequency of breaks in ST, and lower extremity function (LEF) was investigated in a diverse sample aged ≥ 70 years (n = 217). Physical activity (PA) was assessed by accelerometry deriving moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) minutes per registered hour (MVPA min · hr−1), registered ST (ST min · hr−1), and breaks in ST min · hr−1 (breaks · hr−1). LEF was assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery. Univariate associations with overall LEF were MVPA (r = .523), ST (r = −.499), and breaks (r = .389). Adjusted linear regression including MVPA min · hr−1, ST min · hr−1, and breaks · hr−1 explained 41.5% of LEF variance. Each additional break · hr−1 was associated with 0.58 point increase in LEF. Breaks and MVPA had strongest independent associations with LEF. Promoting regular breaks might be useful in maintaining or increasing LEF and later life independence. This novel finding is important for the design of effective lifestyle interventions targeting older adults.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. S92-S93
Author(s):  
Astrid Lugtenburg ◽  
Marij Zuidersma ◽  
Willeke van Zelst ◽  
Robert A. Schoevers ◽  
Richard Oude Voshaar

Author(s):  
José H. Guerrier ◽  
P. Manivannan ◽  
Anna Pacheco ◽  
Frances L. Wilkie

Older adults depend highly on the automobile to satisfy their mobility needs. They use the private car for the majority of their trips. However, driving is not without risks for older drivers and those who share the road with them. Drivers 65 and older contribute to more accidents per mile driven than younger drivers except those 18-24 years old. Furthermore, they are more likely to be injured or die as a result of such accidents than their younger counterparts. Current thinking suggests that the cognitive abilities of older drivers may be the best explanation for these accidents. This study investigated the contribution of age and specific cognitive, psychomotor, and perceptual dimensions upon the performance of driving tasks on an interactive simulator. The results suggest that age as such does not explain performance of driving tasks. Rather, age-sensitive cognitive characteristics of drivers provide a better understanding of performance of specific driving tasks.


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