Worn on the Older Body: Physical Activity Technologies and the Commitment to Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 883-888
Author(s):  
Susan G. Zieff ◽  
Claudia M. Guedes
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Improve Health

Physical activity (PA) is a proven strategy for reducing risk of chronic disease. Many older adults do not reach recommended levels of activity to achieve health benefits. There is growing interest among scholars and practitioners about the potential of technology to increase PA and improve health. This study investigated knowledge of, attitudes toward, and experiences with PA technology among a sample of older adults to determine potential for use in interventions. Overall, participants indicated that they learned about their levels of PA, held positive attitudes toward, and reported good experiences with PA technology, including desired behavior change. Negative outcomes included concerns about risk from using PA technology. Outcomes from this study suggest the need for updated views of older adults and technology and potential health benefits from using PA technology.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Among Iranian Older Adults: A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 922-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aein Zarrin ◽  
Nima Tourchian ◽  
George A. Heckman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Care Models ◽  
Language Objectives ◽  
Main Components

Background: Implementing care models that emphasize chronic disease self-management (CDSM) strategies may be an effective approach to the growing prevalence of chronic conditions in Iran. We, therefore, conducted a scoping review on CDSM among older Iranians to identify existing gaps and opportunities to improve chronic disease care. Method: We conducted a search in CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Cochrane library. Selected articles were charted based on year of publication, language, objectives, methods, target chronic disease(s), sample demographics, self-management type, and key findings. Results: We selected 73 articles. The main components of CDSM addressed were social support, education, physical activity, nutrition, self-monitoring, spirituality, and financial support. Older Iranians reported low levels of physical activity. Conclusion: Enhancing the quality of CDSM research and provision of coaching to enhance older adults’ social and mental health are among the main strategies to enhance CDSM among the Iranian older population.

scholarly journals “I Would Never Come Here Because I’ve Got My Own Garden”: Older Adults’ Perceptions of Small Urban Green Spaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa G. Macintyre ◽  
Sarah Cotterill ◽  
Jamie Anderson ◽  
Chris Phillipson ◽  
Jack S. Benton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Improve Health

Green spaces are known to improve health and wellbeing via several mechanisms, such as by reducing stress and facilitating physical activity. However, little is known about the impact of the smaller green spaces typically found in urban environments on wellbeing, especially for older adults. This study investigated experiences in adults (5 males and 10 females) aged 60 years and over of small urban green spaces in a large UK city. Fifteen older adults were interviewed using semi-structured walk-along interviews and photo elicitation methods in Old Moat, Greater Manchester. Twelve of the participants lived in Old Moat at the time of the study, and the remaining three participants previously lived in Old Moat and were frequent visitors. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Smaller urban green spaces were perceived differently to large green spaces, and participants were more likely to use larger green spaces such as parks. The smaller green spaces were perceived as belonging to other people, which discouraged the older adults from using them. The older adults also emphasized the importance of taking care of small urban green spaces and preventing them from becoming overgrown. Urban planners should consider these factors, since they indicate that the size and type of urban green spaces may influence whether they improve health and wellbeing. Further research should investigate in more detail which types of urban green space are most conducive to facilitating physical activity and improving wellbeing.

Behavior Change Techniques Used in Theory of Planned Behavior Physical Activity Interventions Among Older Adults: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 746-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Senkowski ◽  
Clara Gannon ◽  
Paul Branscum
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The United States ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions

Physical activity interventions among older adults vary widely in the techniques used to elicit behavior change. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine what behavior change techniques (BCTs) are used in interventions to increase physical activity among older adults using the theory of planned behavior and to make suggestions for BCTs that appear to be more effective. A database search identified peer-reviewed articles documenting interventions based on the theory of planned behavior. Seven articles (three randomized controlled trial, three quasi-experimental, and onen-of-1) from four countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Netherlands) were included for review. Researchers independently coded BCTs using a hierarchical taxonomy of 93 BCTs. The most frequently coded BCTs includedGoal Setting(n = 5 studies),Action Planning(n = 5 studies), andCredible Source(n = 5 studies). Of the 93 BCTs in the taxonomy, only 26 were used, indicating potential opportunities to implement and evaluate less commonly used techniques in future studies.

Skeletal muscle TLR4 and TACE are associated with body fat percentage in older adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle L. Timmerman ◽  
Ian D. Connors ◽  
Michael A. Deal ◽  
Rachael E. Mott
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Percent Body Fat ◽  
Chronic Disease Risk

Elevated skeletal muscle expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been linked to increased inflammation in clinical populations. TNFα converting enzyme (TACE), which cleaves membrane-bound TNFα (mTNFα) to its soluble (sTNFα) and more bioactive form, has been linked to chronic disease. In contrast, higher physical activity level is associated with decreased chronic disease risk and inflammation. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between physical activity and skeletal muscle TLR4, TACE, and TNFα in older adults. In 26 older adults (age = 68 ± 4 years, body mass index = 26 ± 3 kg·m−2), self-reported physical activity (kcal·week−1), estimated maximal oxygen consumption, and body composition (air plethysmography) were measured. TLR4, TACE, mTNFα, and sTNFα were measured in skeletal muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) using western blot analyses. Pearson product-moment correlations were run between variables. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Skeletal muscle TACE was directly associated with sTNFα (r = 0.53, p < 0.01). Linear regression modeling showed that mTNFα and TACE expression were predictive of sTNFα expression. No correlations were observed between physical activity and TLR4, TACE, or sTNFα. Percent body fat was directly associated with skeletal muscle TLR4 (r = 0.52, p < 0.01) and TACE (r = 0.50, p < 0.01), whereas fasting blood glucose was directly associated with TACE and sTNFα. In conclusion, we found that percent body fat was directly associated with TLR4 and TACE expression in skeletal muscle of older adults. These findings suggest that elevated skeletal muscle expression of TLR4 and TACE may contribute to the augmented inflammation and chronic disease risk observed with increased adiposity.

scholarly journals Assessing the Effects of Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Behavior Change Strategies on Physical Activity in Older Adults: a Factorial Experiment

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhan K McMahon ◽  
Beth Lewis ◽  
J Michael Oakes ◽  
Jean F Wyman ◽  
Weihua Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Factorial Experiment ◽  
Change Strategies

scholarly journals A randomized controlled trial into the cognitive effects of a computer-tailored physical activity intervention in older adults with chronic disease(s)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmee Volders ◽  
Renate H. M. de Groot ◽  
Juul M. J. Coumans ◽  
Catherine A. W. Bolman ◽  
Lilian Lechner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cognitive Effects ◽  
Intervention Effects

Abstract Background Cognitive functioning (CF) is important for wellbeing and an independent life. However, older adults with chronic diseases are at a higher risk of poorer CF levels. Although, research suggests that physical activity (PA) could play an essential role in maintaining good CF, older adults with chronic diseases have low levels of PA. PA interventions to prevent cognitive decline for this specific group exist. Yet, until now these interventions focused on a single specific chronic disease. Active Plus is a proven effective computer-tailored PA stimulating intervention focused on increasing PA in daily life for the older adult population suffering from a broad range of chronic diseases. This study tests the cognitive effects of Active Plus in older adults with chronic diseases. Methods In this RCT older adults with at least one chronic disease (≥65 years) were allocated to the intervention group (N = 260, mean age = 74.2) or waiting list control group (N = 325, mean age = 74.5). In total, intervention group participants received three times computer-tailored PA stimulating advice within four months (i.e., at baseline, after two months, and after three to four months). The online and print delivered advice were tailored to the specific needs and wishes of the participant and focused on incorporating PA in daily life. Baseline and follow-up measurements of the CF verbal memory (Verbal Learning Test), shifting (Trailmaking Test), inhibition (Stop-signal Task) and processing speed (Letter Digit Substitution Test) were assessed after six and 12 months. Intervention effects were analyzed with multilevel linear mixed-effects models adjusted for the clustered design and confounding variables. Results The dropout rate was 19.1% after 6 months and 25.1% after 12 months. Although both conditions improved on all verbal memory outcomes after 6 months, and all CF outcomes except inhibition after 12 months, no intervention effects were found, not even in subgroups (p > .05). Conclusions To our knowledge this is the first study to test the cognitive effects of a computer-tailored PA stimulating intervention in older adults suffering from a broad range of chronic diseases. The effects of the Active Plus intervention were not strong enough to improve CF or prevent cognitive decline. A blended approach, in which this computer-tailored intervention is combined with a face-to-face PA intervention and / or cognitive training, might be a good suggestion to increase the effects of Active Plus on PA and CF in older adults with chronic diseases. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register NL6005; Date of Registration 03-21-2017; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6005

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