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.

Physical Activity Preferences of Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Community Analysis

1999 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Wilcox ◽  
Abby C. King ◽  
Glenn S. Brassington ◽  
David K. Ahn
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Community Analysis ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Individual Preferences ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Exercise Class ◽  
Activity Preferences

Physical activity interventions are most effective when they are tailored to individual preferences. This study examined preferences for exercising on one’s own with some instruction vs. in a class in 1,820 middle-aged and 1,485 older adults. Overall, 69% of middle-aged and 67% of older adults preferred to exercise on their own with some instruction rather than in an exercise class. The study identified subgroups—5 of middle-aged and 6 of older adults—whose preferences for exercising on their own with some instruction ranged from 33–85%. Less educated women younger than 56, healthy women 65–71, and older men reporting higher stress levels were most likely to prefer classes. All other men and most women preferred exercising on their own. The identification of these subgroups enables us to tailor exercise recommendations to the preferences of middle-aged and older adults, with increased rates of physical activity adoption and maintenance a likely result.

Personal and Social Environmental Correlates of Square Dancing Habits in Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Adults Living in Communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 696-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Liao ◽  
Sanmei Chen ◽  
Sha Chen ◽  
Yung-Jen Yang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Relative Risk Ratio ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Environmental Correlates ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Social Environmental

This study aimed to examine personal and social environmental correlates of the physical activity habit of middle-aged and older adults, using Chinese square dancing as a natural exploratory example. Participants were 385 adults aged ≥45 years (93% female), who habitually danced on squares or parks of three old districts of Guangzhou. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify personal, social, psychological, and behavioral correlates of multiyear dance. Old age, high education, sufficient leisure time, and stable social environmental factors were associated with persistent dancing, whereby education (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [1.05, 2.57]) and social engagement (RRR = 1.66, 95% confidence interval [1.05, 2.63]) showed the largest effects. Participants dancing ≤1 year were least satisfied with their social relationships than their counterparts dancing 1–5 years (RRR = 0.68) or over 5 years (RRR = 0.58). Physical activity promotion for older adults should adapt from culturally appropriate group activities and leverage community social resources to encourage voluntary participation, particularly for low-educated older women.

Relationship Between Mental Health, Resilience, and Physical Activity in Older Adults: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Maria Priscila Wermelinger Ávila ◽  
Jimilly Caputo Corrêa ◽  
Alessandra Lamas Granero Lucchetti ◽  
Giancarlo Lucchetti
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study was to longitudinally investigate the association between resilience and mental health in older adults and to determine the influence of physical activity on this relationship. A total of 291 older adults were included in a 2-year follow-up study. Adjusted linear regression models evaluated the association between resilience at baseline and mental health after 2 years in sufficiently and insufficiently physically active older adults. A negative correlation was found between resilience at baseline and depression, anxiety, and stress after 2 years for the overall sample. This association changed after stratifying the group. Sufficiently physically active individuals made greater use of the resilience components “Self-Sufficiency” and “Perseverance,” whereas insufficiently physically active individuals made greater use of “Meaning of Life” and “Existential Singularity.” Physical activity can influence the relationship between resilience and mental health. These results can help guide the devising of more effective interventions for this age group.

Neighborhood Influences on Physical Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Multilevel Perspective

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuzhong Li ◽  
K. John Fisher ◽  
Adrian Bauman ◽  
Marcia G. Ory ◽  
Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Neighborhood Influences ◽  
Environment Variables ◽  
Multilevel Perspective

Over the past few years, attention has been drawn to the importance of neighborhood influences on physical activity behavior and the need to consider a multilevel analysis involving not only individual-level variables but also social-and physical-environment variables at the neighborhood level in explaining individual differences in physical activity outcomes. This new paradigm raises a series of issues concerning systems of influence observed at different hierarchical levels (e.g., individuals, neighborhoods) and variables that can be defined at each level. This article reviews research literature and discusses substantive, operational, and statistical issues in studies involving multilevel influences on middle-aged and older adults’ physical activity. To encourage multilevel research, the authors propose a model that focuses attention on multiple levels of influence and the interaction among variables characterizing individuals, among variables characterizing neighborhoods, and across both levels. They conclude that a multilevel perspective is needed to increase understanding of the multiple influences on physical activity.

scholarly journals Effects of Attitude, Motivation, and Eagerness for Physical Activity among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Md Mizanur Rahman ◽  
Dongxiao Gu ◽  
Changyong Liang ◽  
Rao Muhammad Rashid ◽  
Monira Akter
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Global Statistics

Background. Although physical activity (PA) is a noninvasive and cost-effective method of improving the quality of health, global statistics show that only a few middle-aged and older adults engage in the recommended PAs. This is due to a lack of motivation and companionship. Objective. This study analyses the attitudes and self-determined motivation of Chinese middle-aged and older adults for PAs and their eagerness to participate in PAs such as sports, exercise, and recreational and cultural activities (RCAs), from attitudinal, eagerness, and motivational objectives of PAs perspective. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 840 middle-aged (35–54 years) and older adults (55+ years). To determine their attitude, eagerness, and self-determined motivation for PA, we used attitudinal, Eagerness for Physical Activity Scale (EPAS), and Situational Motivational Scale (SIMS). The data were analyzed with SPSS 23.0. Results. The results show that 39.1% of the participants were not satisfied with PAs. Compared with females, males reported a less positive attitude towards PAs. Moreover, a positive attitude decreases with age. Participants’ motivation and eagerness in activities such as RCAs, exercise, and sports are decreasing. Regarding self-determined motivation, there are gender differences in RCAs, but there is none for exercise and sports participation. Conclusion. The findings show the importance of RCAs and the support of family and friends enhancing the eagerness, attitude, and motivation to participate in PAs. Furthermore, the findings can help to create more effective PA programs for middle-aged and older adults. By engaging in RCAs, participants can reap the benefits of PAs. Participating in RCAs can lead to social equity in health.

scholarly journals Social Support Patterns of Middle-Aged and Older Adults Within a Physical Activity App: Secondary Mixed Method Analysis

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/12496 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e12496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakkoyya H Lewis ◽  
Maria C Swartz ◽  
Eloisa Martinez ◽  
Elizabeth J Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
The Social ◽  
Method Analysis

Background Physical activity (PA) is critical for maintaining independence and delaying mobility disability in aging adults. However, 27 to 44% of older adults in the United States are meeting the recommended PA level. Activity trackers are proving to be a promising tool to promote PA adherence through activity tracking and enhanced social interaction features. Although social support has been known to be an influential behavior change technique to promote PA, how middle-aged and older adults use the social interaction feature of mobile apps to provide virtual support to promote PA engagement remains mostly underexplored. Objective This study aimed to describe the social support patterns of middle-aged and older adults using a mobile app as part of a behavioral PA intervention. Methods Data from 35 participants (mean age 61.66 [SD 6] years) in a 12-week, home-based activity intervention were used for this secondary mixed method analysis. Participants were provided with a Jawbone Up24 activity monitor and an Apple iPad Mini installed with the UP app to facilitate self-monitoring and social interaction. All participants were given an anonymous account and encouraged to interact with other participants using the app. Social support features included comments and likes. Thematic coding was used to identify the type of social support provided within the UP app and characterize the levels of engagement from users. Participants were categorized as superusers or contributors, and passive participants were categorized as lurkers based on the literature. Results Over the 12-week intervention, participants provided a total of 3153 likes and 1759 comments. Most participants (n=25) were contributors, with 4 categorized as superusers and 6 categorized as lurkers. Comments were coded as emotional support, informational support, instrumental support, self-talk, and other, with emotional support being the most prevalent type. Conclusions Our cohort of middle-aged and older adults was willing to use the social network feature in an activity app to communicate with anonymous peers. Most of our participants were contributors. In addition, the social support provided through the activity app followed social support constructs. In sum, PA apps are a promising tool for delivering virtual social support to enhance PA engagement and have the potential to make a widespread impact on PA promotion. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01869348; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01869348

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