Thinking out Loud: What Older Adults Say about Triggers for Physical Activity

2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra O'Brien Cousins
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Bone Density ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Free Time ◽  
Active Living ◽  
Community Programs ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
New Community

This study analyzed older women's (age 57–92, N = 32) descriptions of motivating triggers for physical activity. Among active women, activity was triggered by situations such as declining fitness levels, low bone density, more free time, fears about inadequate health care leading to self-care, expectations for reduced aches and pains, awareness of new community programs, and public reports of the health benefits. Semiactive women had doubts about the appropriateness of being active. Inactive people also experienced triggers but seemed firmly committed to a less active lifestyle by reminding themselves that retirement requires no commitments, exercise is not needed if you are healthy, exercise is not appropriate if you are ill, being very busy is a substitute activity, and serving others is less selfish. The findings suggest that active-living interventions might be more effectively aimed at semi active seniors who seem positively disposed to participating but need help to get started or to stay involved.

scholarly journals Impact of a Wearable Device-Based Walking Programs in Rural Older Adults on Physical Activity and Health Outcomes: Cohort Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Il-Young Jang ◽  
Hae Reong Kim ◽  
Eunju Lee ◽  
Hee-Won Jung ◽  
Hyelim Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Wearable Device ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

BACKGROUND Community-dwelling older adults living in rural areas are in a less favorable environment for health care compared with urban older adults. We believe that intermittent coaching through wearable devices can help optimize health care for older adults in medically limited environments. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate whether a wearable device and mobile-based intermittent coaching or self-management could increase physical activity and health outcomes of small groups of older adults in rural areas. METHODS To address the above evaluation goal, we carried out the “Smart Walk” program, a health care model wherein a wearable device is used to promote self-exercise particularly among community-dwelling older adults managed by a community health center. We randomly selected older adults who had enrolled in a population-based, prospective cohort study of aging, the Aging Study of Pyeongchang Rural Area. The “Smart Walk” program was a 13-month program conducted from March 2017 to March 2018 and included 6 months of coaching, 1 month of rest, and 6 months of self-management. We evaluated differences in physical activity and health outcomes according to frailty status and conducted pre- and postanalyses of the Smart Walk program. We also performed intergroup analysis according to adherence of wearable devices. RESULTS We recruited 22 participants (11 robust and 11 prefrail older adults). The two groups were similar in most of the variables, except for age, frailty index, and Short Physical Performance Battery score associated with frailty criteria. After a 6-month coaching program, the prefrail group showed significant improvement in usual gait speed (mean 0.73 [SD 0.11] vs mean 0.96 [SD 0.27], P=.02), International Physical Activity Questionnaire scores in kcal (mean 2790.36 [SD 2224.62] vs mean 7589.72 [SD 4452.52], P=.01), and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions score (mean 0.84 [SD 0.07] vs mean 0.90 [SD 0.07], P=.02), although no significant improvement was found in the robust group. The average total step count was significantly different and was approximately four times higher in the coaching period than in the self-management period (5,584,295.83 vs 1,289,084.66, P<.001). We found that participants in the “long-self” group who used the wearable device for the longest time showed increased body weight and body mass index by mean 0.65 (SD 1.317) and mean 0.097 (SD 0.513), respectively, compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS Our “Smart Walk” program improved physical fitness, anthropometric measurements, and geriatric assessment categories in a small group of older adults in rural areas with limited resources for monitoring. Further validation through various rural public health centers and in a large number of rural older adults is required.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Health-Care Utilization in Older Adults

2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Y. Martin ◽  
M. Paige Powell ◽  
Claire Peel ◽  
Sha Zhu ◽  
Richard Allman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Utilization ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Physician Visits

This study examined whether leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was associated with health-care utilization in a racially diverse sample of rural and urban older adults. Community-dwelling adults (N= 1,000, 75.32 ± 6.72 years old) self-reported participating in LTPA and their use of the health-care system (physician visits, number and length of hospitalizations, and emergency-room visits). After controlling for variables associated with health and health-care utilization, older adults who reported lower levels of LTPA also reported a greater number of nights in the hospital in the preceding year. There was no support, however, for a relationship between LTPA and the other indicators of health-care utilization. Our findings suggest that being physically active might translate to a quicker recovery for older adults who are hospitalized. Being physically active might not only have health benefits for older persons but also lead to lower health-care costs.

Shopping Habits And Physical Activity In Older Adults: The Older People And Active Living Project.

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 373
Author(s):  
Afroditi Stathi ◽  
Mark G. Davis ◽  
Georgina Bentley ◽  
Janice L. Thompson ◽  
Jo Coulson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Active Living

scholarly journals Physical Activity, Exercise, and Physical Rehabilitation

2021 ◽  
pp. 189-198
Author(s):  
Camila Astolphi Lima ◽  
Renato Barbosa dos Santos ◽  
Monica Rodrigues Perracini
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Geriatric Syndromes ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Health Trajectories ◽  
The Life Course

AbstractEnhancing physical activity promotes positive health trajectories throughout the life course. Physical activity should be tailored and graded to suit older adults’ capacities and needs and can be combined with rehabilitation interventions to manage geriatric syndromes and disability. This chapter provides a summary of current evidence about the role of physical activity for older adults, emphasizing nutritional aspects. We also present strategies to help health-care professionals to enhance physical activity participation.

scholarly journals Total Daily Physical Activity and the Risk of Parkinsonism in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 702-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahram Oveisgharan ◽  
Lei Yu ◽  
Robert J Dawe ◽  
David A Bennett ◽  
Aron S Buchman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
Cox Models ◽  
Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Reduced Risk

Abstract Background Physical activity is a modifiable risk factor associated with health benefits. We hypothesized that a more active lifestyle in older adults is associated with a reduced risk of incident parkinsonism and a slower rate of its progression. Methods Total daily physical activity was recorded with an activity monitor in 889 community-dwelling older adults participating in the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Four parkinsonian signs were assessed with a modified motor portion of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale and summarized as a categorical measure and continuous global parkinsonian score. We used Cox models to determine whether physical activity was associated with incident parkinsonism and linear mixed-effects models to examine if physical activity was associated with the rate of progressive parkinsonism. Results During an average follow-up of 4 years, 233 of 682 (34%) participants, without parkinsonism, developed incident parkinsonism. In Cox models controlling for age, sex, and education, a higher level of physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of developing parkinsonism (hazard ratio = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.70–0.88, p &lt; .001). This association was not attenuated when controlling for cognition, depressive symptoms, Apolipoprotein E ℇ4 allele, and chronic health conditions. In a linear mixed-effects model including all participants (N = 889) which controlled for age, sex, and education, a 1 SD total daily physical activity was associated with a 20% slower rate of progression of parkinsonism. Conclusion Older adults with a more active lifestyle have a reduced risk for parkinsonism and a slower rate of its progression.

scholarly journals Groningen Active Living Model (GALM): Stimulating Physical Activity in Sedentary Older Adults; First Results

2000 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Stevens ◽  
Koen A.P.M. Lemmink ◽  
Mathieu H.G. de Greef ◽  
Piet Rispens
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Active Living ◽  
First Results

Promoting Physical Activity among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Health Care Settings

2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (s1) ◽  
pp. S29-S37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Eakin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Social Environmental

Physical inactivity continues to be a significant public health issue for middle-aged and older adults. This review focuses on physical activity interventions targeting older adults in health care settings. The literature in this area is limited and the results to date disappointing. Much remains to be done to develop effective interventions targeting older adults, especially those from underserved groups. Attention also needs to be paid to maintenance of initial treatment gains and to linking primary-care-based physical activity interventions to community-based resources. Recognition in the social and behavioral sciences of the importance of social-environmental influences on health and health behaviors mandates both a multidisciplinary and a multilevel intervention approach to the problem of physical inactivity.

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