scholarly journals Physical Activity and Public Health in Older Adults

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (9) ◽  
pp. 1094-1105 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults

scholarly journals Strategies Older New Zealanders Use to Participate in Day-To-Day Occupations

2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 509-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Hocking ◽  
Juanita Murphy ◽  
Kirk Reed
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Older People ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Public Health Messages ◽  
The Impact

Aim: This exploratory study aimed to uncover the strategies that older adults employ to ameliorate the impact of impairments and barriers to participation. Method: Eight participants were interviewed in their own homes, in a town or city in New Zealand. Findings: Inductive analysis of data revealed four main categories of strategies: strategies to keep safe, to recruit and accept help, to meet social and biological needs (nutritional and medical), and to conserve financial, material and bodily resources. Discussion: The study supports some previous findings of strategies used by older people, and demonstrates that enquiring into the strategies that older people devise and adopt into their own lives is a productive line of inquiry. The strategies described differ from those that occupational therapists recommend, and do not incorporate public health messages about the benefits of physical activity or recommendations about falls prevention. Conclusion: The findings suggest that asking older clients about the strategies that they use will uncover valuable information for therapists giving advice or issuing equipment to help older adults to manage in the community.

Moving Through COVID-19: Perspectives of Older Adults in the Getting Older Adults Outdoors Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Kristina Marie Kokorelias ◽  
Jacquie Ripat ◽  
C. Allyson Jones ◽  
Nancy E. Mayo ◽  
Nancy M. Salbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
Safety Guidelines

Safety guidelines resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic may reduce physical activity participation of older adults, particularly prefrail and frail individuals. The objective was to explore older adults’ experiences with physical activity during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, interviews were conducted with 16 older adults. Data were analyzed thematically. Two themes emerged: (a) coming to a standstill and (b) small steps. Participants described that imposed provincial and federal recommendations caused them to reduce their physical activity with negative consequences. As time progressed, participants used emerging public health knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019 to safely increase physical activity. Many participants developed strategies to remain active during the pandemic (e.g., wearing a pedometer, walking outdoors at particular times of day). Findings from this study can better inform the development of programs, clinical practice, and policy for physical activity promotion in older adults during periods of physical distancing and isolation.

Older adults, physical activity and public health

2017 ◽  
pp. 81-110
Author(s):  
Andy Pringle ◽  
Stephen Zwolinsky
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults

How Many Steps Are Enough? Dose–Response Curves for Pedometer Steps and Multiple Health Markers in a Community-Based Sample of Older Australians

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Ewald ◽  
John Attia ◽  
Patrick McElduff
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation ◽  
Health Target ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Dose Response Curves

Background:Although an overall public health target of 10,000 steps per day has been advocated, the dose–response relationship for each health benefit of physical activity may differ.Methods:A representative community sample of 2458 Australian residents aged 55–85 wore a pedometer for a week in 2005–2007 and completed a health assessment. Age-standardized steps per day were compared with multiple markers of health using locally weighted regression to produce smoothed dose–response curves and then to select the steps per day matching 60% or 80% of the range in each health marker.Results:There is a linear relationship between activity level and markers of inflammation throughout the range of steps per day; this is also true for BMI in women and high density lipoprotein in men. For other markers, including waist:hip ratio, fasting glucose, depression, and SF-36 scores, the benefit of physical activity is mostly in the lower half of the distribution.Conclusions:Older adults have no plateau in the curve for some health outcomes, even beyond 12,000 steps per day. For other markers, however, there is a threshold effect, indicating that most of the benefit is achieved by 8000 steps per day, supporting this as a suitable public health target for older adults.

Message sent, message received: Exploring the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans information available to older adults (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M Harden ◽  
Anna Murphy ◽  
Kathryn Ratliff ◽  
Laura E Balis
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Compliance Rate ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Activity Recommendations

BACKGROUND More attention has been given to researchers’ role in dissemination than to information-seeking practices of lay audiences to date. In particular, older adults’ interactions with online platforms for health-related information was nascent. This may be part of the reason only 13% of Americans aged 65+ years are meeting physical activity recommendations, with approximately the same low compliance rate worldwide. OBJECTIVE To determine what information was readily available (i.e., open access) to older adults who may casually search the internet for physical activity recommendations. METHODS Engaged in a 6-part scoping review to determine the research question, available evidence, and extract data within open-access top hits using popular online search engines. Results were categorized by a dissemination model that has categories of: sources, channels, audience, and messages. RESULTS After the iterative search process, 92 unique articles were included and coded. Only 5% cited physical activity guidelines, and 90% were coded as promoting healthy aging and positive framing. Most articles were posed as educational, but the authors’ credentials were rarely reported (i.e., reported 22% of the time). Muscle strengthening and balance components of the physical activity guidelines for older adults were rarely reported (78%, 86%) or inaccurately reported (3%, 3%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Inconsistent messages lead to mistrust of science and public health representatives. This work highlights the lack of evidence within existing open access resources. Further efforts are needed to ensure evidence-based public health messages are in the sources and channels older adults are using to inform their knowledge and behaviors. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

Views From the Path: Evaluating Physical Activity Use Patterns and Design Preferences of Older Adults on the Bolin Creek Greenway Trail

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine E. Dorwart
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Design Preferences ◽  
The Relationship

Though physical inactivity can lead to increased health problems in older adults, few places actually encourage this population to be active by implementing choices that allow the built and natural environment to be accessed by foot or bicycle. In addition, little research has examined older adults’ perceptions of design and the relationship between greenways and improving public health, a topic that is receiving popular attention. The objective of this mixed-methods study was therefore to evaluate elements in a greenway’s design that the aging population found important and which afforded physical activity. Using a combination of survey questions, photo elicitation, and interviews, data were collected from a sample of older adults aged 65 and over that used a greenway trail. Results of this study indicated that older adults may prefer certain elements on a trail, namely those elements that afforded their choice of activity. Although there will always be limitations to understanding behavioral responses to the built environment, this should not disqualify the benefits of greenways on older adults’ physical activity.

Ageing and physical activity: evidence to develop exercise recommendations for older adultsThis article is part of a supplement entitled Advancing physical activity measurement and guidelines in Canada: a scientific review and evidence-based foundation for the future of Canadian physical activity guidelines co-published by Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism and the Canadian Journal of Public Health. It may be cited as Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32(Suppl. 2E) or as Can. J. Public Health 98(Suppl. 2).

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (S2E) ◽  
pp. S69-S108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald H. Paterson ◽  
Gareth R. Jones ◽  
Charles L. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Group Performance ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Age Related

An abundance of epidemiological research confirms the benefits of physical activity in reducing risk of various age-related morbidities and all-cause mortality. Analysis of the literature focusing on key exercise variables (e.g., intensity, type, and volume) suggests that the requisite beneficial amount of activity is that which engenders improved cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, power, and, indirectly, balance. Age-related declines in these components are such that physical limitations impinge on functional activities of daily living. However, an exercise programme can minimize declines, thus preventing older adults (age 65+ years) from crossing functional thresholds of inability. Cross-sectional and longitudinal data demonstrate that cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with functional capacity and independence; strength and, importantly, power are related to performance and activities of daily living; and balance-mobility in combination with power are important factors in preventing falls. Exercise interventions have documented that older adults can adapt physiologically to exercise training, with gains in functional capacities. The few studies that have explored minimal or optimal activity requirements suggest that a threshold (intensity) within the moderately vigorous domain is needed to achieve and preserve related health benefits. Thus, physical activity and (or) exercise prescriptions should emphasize activities of the specificity and type to improve components related to the maintenance of functional capacity and independence; these will also delay morbidity and mortality. An appropriate recommendation for older adults includes moderately vigorous cardiorespiratory activities (e.g., brisk walking), strength and (or) power training for maintenance of muscle mass and specific muscle-group performance, as well as “balance-mobility practice” and flexibility (stretching) exercise as needed.

Physical Activity and Public Health in Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1435-1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIRIAM E. NELSON ◽  
W. JACK REJESKI ◽  
STEVEN N. BLAIR ◽  
PAMELA W. DUNCAN ◽  
JAMES O. JUDGE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults

scholarly journals Modes and locales of physical activity

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Bungum ◽  
Melva Thompson-Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Telephone Interview ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Racially Mixed ◽  
Aging Knowledge

Older adults are important from a public health standpoint as the number and proportion of elderly in our population is increasing. Further, this segment of the population is characterized by low physical activity involvement and suffers from hypokinetic diseases at high rates. Thus, health promoters should be aware of the types of PA that older adults engage in, and where that PA occurs. The purpose of this study was to describe the modes of PA in which middle-aged and older adults engage in and locales of where that PA occurs. An additional purpose was to identify predictors of meeting PA guidelines that have been created by experts. We also sought to determine if participation in social activities predicted meeting PA guidelines, as both are important aspects of aging. Knowledge of such information could be valuable in designing PA interventions. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and all data was collected via a telephone interview. A racially mixed sample of 350 females and 199 males completed a 52-item survey that included measures of PA behavior and neighborhood characteristics. Twenty participants failed to report their gender and were excluded from the analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of meeting PA guidelines. Results: Participant ages ranged from 45-89 years (M = 60.8). The most frequently cited mode of PA was walking, by 53.7% of the sample, most of which occurred near residences (63.6%). Only 11.2% of participants met PA guidelines by doing either moderately or vigorously intense PA. Predictors of meeting PA guidelines included doing PA in a community facility or fitness club, and participation in social activities, which approached significance. Public health personnel should recommend activities, especially walking, to older adults that can be done near their homes, and future research should assess neighborhood characteristics that are supportive of, or hinder the PA of older adults.

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