Physical Activity Behaviors of Older Adults

2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noreen L. Goggin ◽  
James R. Morrow
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Activity Involvement ◽  
Physical Activity Data ◽  
Stage Of Readiness

The purpose of this study was to determine older adults’ physical activity behaviors and stage of readiness for physical activity. Data were collected on 403 American adults over the age of 60. Of these participants, 206 were aged 61–70 and 197 were over the age of 70. Participants first provided information regarding their perceptions of the benefits of physical activity. Then questions were asked to determine their stage of readiness for physical activity (i.e., precontemplation, contemplation, etc.). Results indicated that older adults are aware of the health benefits of physical activity (89%), but 69% of them are not participating in sufficient physical activity to obtain such benefits. Physical activity involvement decreases with increased age, and older men tend to be more physically active than older women. Increased knowledge about the benefits of physical activity and one’s stage of readiness for it might help increase the number of older adults who engage in sufficient physical activity.

scholarly journals Objectively assessed physical activity patterns and physical function in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e034645
Author(s):  
Ming-Chun Hsueh ◽  
Ru Rutherford ◽  
Chien-Chih Chou ◽  
Jong-Hwan Park ◽  
Hyun-Tae Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Single Leg Stance

ObjectivesTo objectively assess light physical activity (PA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), step counts and number of 10 min MVPA bouts and their association with physical function among older adults.DesignCross-sectional design.SettingUrban community setting in Taiwan.Participants127 Taiwanese older adults aged over 65 years (mean age=70.8±5.3 years; 72% women).Primary and secondary outcome measuresTriaxial accelerometers were used to measure PA variables for 10 hours/day for seven consecutive days. Then, five physical function components (handgrip strength, single-leg stance, 5-metre walk speed, timed up and go and sit-to-stand test) were measured. Multiple linear regressions were used to perform separate analyses for older men and women.ResultsFor older women, daily MVPA time (β: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.64; p=0.004), daily step counts (β: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.78; p=0.009) and number of 10 min MVPA bouts (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.53; p=0.049) were positively associated with handgrip strength after adjusting for accelerometer wear time, sedentary time and other confounders. Furthermore, daily MVPA time was positively associated with a single-leg stance (β: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.49; p=0.036) and higher daily step counts were associated with shorter walking speed performance (β: −0.31, 95% CI: −0.57, −0.001; p=0.049). None of the variables of the objectively assessed PA patterns was associated with physical function outcomes among older men due to their small sample size.ConclusionsDaily MVPA, MVPA bouts of at least 10 min and accumulated daily steps are important for improving physical function among older women. Future prospective research should establish causal associations between PA patterns and functional ability among older adults.

scholarly journals “You Have to Keep Moving, Be Active”: Perceptions and Experiences of Habitual Physical Activity in Older Women With Osteoporosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ing-Mari Dohrn ◽  
Agneta Ståhle ◽  
Kirsti Skavberg Roaldsen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Impaired Balance ◽  
Context Specific

Background Physical activity (PA) is essential for older adults with osteoporosis, and health care professionals play important roles in promoting PA and encouraging patients to make healthy choices. However, many factors influence habitual PA, and there is only limited knowledge about the perceptions and experiences of PA among older women with osteoporosis. Objectives The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions and experiences of PA and the factors that influence habitual PA among older adults with osteoporosis, impaired balance, and fear of falling. Design This was a qualitative interview study applying interpretive content analysis with an inductive approach. Methods Informants were a purposeful sample of 18 women, aged 66 to 86 years, with osteoporosis, impaired balance, and fear of falling. Individual, semistructured, face-to-face interviews were recorded, transcribed, condensed, and coded to find subthemes and themes. Results The overall theme found was “Physical activity—a tool for staying healthy with osteoporosis.” This overall theme comprised 2 main themes interpreting the challenges and possibilities of being physically active with osteoporosis. These themes were not separate but rather linked to each other like 2 sides of the same coin, with factors that could act as both barriers to and facilitators of PA. Personal preferences and osteoporosis-related concerns influenced habitual PA, and individualization was perceived as important. Limitations Some results may be context specific and limit the transferability to people with other cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds. Conclusions The women perceived that PA was an important tool to maintain health with osteoporosis and believed that they had a responsibility to use this tool. They had adapted to disease-specific limitations and developed strategies to overcome challenges and barriers to PA. Lack of PA promotion and conflicting advice about PA from physicians created uncertainty. Encouragement and guidance from physical therapists, individually or in groups, were very important.

Does Gender Influence Physical Activity and Psychosocial Factors in Older Exercisers? A Pilot Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-70
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Orsega-Smith ◽  
Nancy Getchell ◽  
Lindsay Palkovitz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Psychosocial Characteristics ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Gender Influence

How does gender influence physical and psychosocial characteristics in physically active older adults? Much of the previous research on physical function in older women focuses on either the frailty of older women or on physical function irrespective of gender. These studies leave unknown the specific influence of regular physical activity on older women.Furthermore, few studies have examined the relationship between physical activity and psychosocial characteristics in older exercisers. We wanted to investigate whether differences exist between groups of older female and male adults who maintain a physically active lifestyle. Twenty-three female and 14 male physically active older adults performed physical function tests (i.e., chair stands, timed up-and-go, 6-minute walk) and filled out questionnaires related to psychosocial measures (i.e., social support, self-esteem, satisfaction with life). There were no differences in any physical function between the groups, and only one psychosocial measure (guidance) statistically differed (F (1, 31) = 4.14, p = .044). These results suggest that physically active women may not necessarily follow the trajectory towards frailty. More research needs to be done with a greater range of ages and physical activity levels.

Using Movband Technology to Support Online Learning: An Effective Approach to Maximizing Resources in Kinesiology

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheri J. Brock ◽  
Danielle Wadsworth ◽  
Nikki Hollett ◽  
Mary E. Rudisill
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Instruction ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Activity Space ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Physical Activity Data ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Monitoring Group

The School of Kinesiology at Auburn University is using Movband Technology to support online learning in their physical activity program. Active Auburn is a 2-hr credit course that encourages students (n = 2,000/year) to become physically active through online instruction and tracking physical activity using Movband technology. Movband technology allows for uploading and monitoring group physical activity data. The implementation of this technology has allowed the School of Kinesiology to: (a) promote physical activity on our campus, (b) serve a large number of students, (c) reduce demand on classroom/physical activity space, and (d) promote our research and outreach scholarship as well, by collecting physical activity profiles for students enrolled in the course. Students report they enjoy the course and that they appreciate the “freedom to exercise” when it best fits into their schedule. This course generates considerable revenue to support course instruction and much more for the School of Kinesiology.

The conundrum of exercise for older men in TR settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 17-24
Author(s):  
Kiana Ihm, BS ◽  
Kenneth E. Mobily, CTRS, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Clear Distinction ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Male Subjects

The purposes of this study were to determine how older men distinguished exercise from being physically active and to identify motives for exercising. Subjects were interviewed using a prepared script. They were encouraged to talk about how they characterized their exercise and physical activity (PA). Several themes emerged after transcripts were reviewed, including a tendency for men to engage in PA and exercise alone, a clear distinction between exercise and PA, and the primacy of psychological and mental benefits as motives for exercise. Comparisons were drawn between the male subjects in the present study and qualitative studies using older women as subjects, with some interesting gender contrasts apparent. The article ends with implications for practitioners.

scholarly journals Operationalisation Of Older Adults’ Lifetime Physical Activity Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (7S) ◽  
pp. 526-526
Author(s):  
Oliver Vogel ◽  
Jan Wilke ◽  
Daniel Niederer ◽  
Maike Steinmann ◽  
Lutz Vogt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Physical Activity Data

scholarly journals Which Neighborhood Destinations Matter in the Asian Context? The Role of Destinations in Older Adults’ Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jong-Hwan Park ◽  
Jung-Hoon Park ◽  
Seunghwan Song ◽  
Ting-Fu Lai ◽  
Yung Liao
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Activity Recommendations

Background. Neighborhood destinations play important roles in daily activity levels of older adults. However, little is known about how specific destinations are associated with these activities and/or sedentary behaviors, especially in Asia. This study investigated how neighborhood destinations were associated with physical activity recommendations and excessive sedentary time among older adults. Methods. A telephone-based survey was conducted to collect cross-sectional data on the sociodemographic variables, residential neighborhoods, physical activities, and sedentary behaviors of 1,040 adults aged 65 years and above. Using data derived from Geographic Information Systems (GIS), an adjusted logistic regression was performed to examine the relationships between five neighborhood destination types (i.e., recreational facilities, utilitarian destinations, transit stops, temples, and schools) and both overall physical activity level and sedentary behavior. Results. Significant interactions related to physical activity and sedentary behavior were observed based on both gender and neighborhood destinations. After adjusting for potential confounders, older men living in neighborhoods containing higher numbers of temples were more likely to achieve physical activity recommendations (OR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.16–2.96). On the other hand, older women living in neighborhoods containing higher numbers of utilitarian destinations were more likely to engage in excessive sedentary time (OR=1.70; 95% CI: 1.12–2.56). Conclusions. In Asia, the presence of favorable local neighborhood temples may support physical activity levels for older men, while utilitarian destinations (which have previously been found to support activeness) may be related to excessive sedentary behaviors in older women.

scholarly journals HIS AND HER EVERYDAY LIFE: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN OLDER ADULTS’ SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S58-S58
Author(s):  
Meng Huo ◽  
Karen L Fingerman ◽  
Yee To Ng
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Social Partners ◽  
Reduced Physical Activity ◽  
Older Men And Women

Abstract The literature links social integration to better physical health, but little research asks how contact with diverse social partners influences older adults’ physical activity in a daily context. We examined this link using the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study and explored whether this link varied by gender. The sample included 175 older women and 138 older men who reported their contact with close partners (e.g., family/friend) and not-close partners (e.g., acquaintances) throughout each day across 5 days. Participants also wore Actical accelerometers to track physical activity. Multilevel models revealed significant gender differences. Older men had reduced physical activity when having contact with close partners, whereas older women maintained physical activity during such contact. Both older men and women had increased physical activity when having contact with not-close partners, but this link was stronger for men. This study advances our understanding of gender differences in older adults’ social experiences and well-being.

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