scholarly journals The sex difference in gait speed among older adults: how do sociodemographic, lifestyle, social and health determinants contribute?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena D. Sialino ◽  
Laura A. Schaap ◽  
Sandra H. van Oostrom ◽  
H. Susan J. Picavet ◽  
Johannes W.R. Twisk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Physical Aging ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Lower Physical Activity ◽  
Higher Sensitivity

Abstract Background This study explores whether a sex difference in sensitivity to (strength of the association) and/or in exposure to (prevalence) determinants of gait speed contributes to the observed lower gait speed among older women compared to men. Methods Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) were used. In total 2407 men and women aged 55–81 years were included, with baseline measurements in 1992/2002 and follow-up measurements every 3–4 years for 15/25 years. Multivariable mixed model analysis was used to investigate sex differences in sensitivity (interaction term with sex) and in exposure to (change of the sex difference when adjusted) socio-demographic, lifestyle, social and health determinants of gait speed. Results Women had a 0.054 m/s (95 % CI: 0.076 − 0.033, adjusted for height and age) lower mean gait speed compared to men. In general, men and women had similar determinants of gait speed. However, higher BMI and lower physical activity were more strongly associated with lower gait speed in women compared to men (i.e. higher sensitivity). More often having a lower educational level, living alone and having more chronic diseases, pain and depressive symptoms among women compared to men also contributed to observed lower gait speed in women (i.e. higher exposure). In contrast, men more often being a smoker, having a lower physical activity and a smaller personal network size compared to women contributed to a lower gait speed among men (i.e. higher exposure). Conclusions Both a higher sensitivity and higher exposure to determinants of gait speed among women compared to men contributes to the observed lower gait speed among older women. The identified (modifiable) contributing factors should be taken into account when developing prevention and/or treatment strategies aimed to enhance healthy physical aging. This might require a sex-specific approach in both research and clinical practice, which is currently often lacking.

scholarly journals The Sex Difference in Gait Speed: How Do Sociodemographic, Lifestyle, Social, and Health Determinants Contribute?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 169-170
Author(s):  
Lena Sialino ◽  
Laura Schaap ◽  
Sandra van Oostrom ◽  
Susan Picavet ◽  
Johannes Twisk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Difference ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Physical Aging ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Mixed Model Analysis ◽  
Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽  
Higher Sensitivity

Abstract This study explores whether a sex difference in sensitivity to (strength of the association) and/or in exposure to (prevalence) determinants of gait speed contributes to the observed lower gait speed among women compared to men. Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) were used. In total 2407 men and women aged 55-81 years were included, with baseline measurements in 1992/2002 and follow-up measurements every 3-4 years for 15/25 years. Multivariable mixed model analysis was used to investigate sex differences in sensitivity (interaction term with sex) and in exposure to (change of the sex difference when adjusted) for socio-demographic, lifestyle, social and health determinants of gait speed. On average, women had a 0.054 m/s (95%CI:0.076-0.033, adjusted for height and age) lower mean gait speed compared to men. Higher BMI and lower physical activity were more strongly associated with lower gait speed in women compared to men (i.e. higher sensitivity). Lower educational level, living alone and having more chronic diseases, pain and depressive symptoms among women compared to men also contributed to observed lower gait speed in women (i.e. higher exposure). In conclusion, both a higher sensitivity and higher exposure to determinants of gait speed among women compared to men contributes to the observed lower gait speed among women aged 55 years and older. The identified (modifiable) contributing factors should be taking into account when developing prevention and/or treatment strategies aimed to enhance healthy physical aging. This might require a sex-specific approach in both research and clinical practice.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Bidirectional Relations of Perceived Physical Fatigability and Physical Activity on Slower Gait Speed

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujia (Susanna) Qiao ◽  
Theresa Gmelin ◽  
Sharon W Renner ◽  
Robert M Boudreau ◽  
Sarah Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Direct Association ◽  
Bidirectional Relations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lower Physical Activity

Abstract Background Lower physical activity levels and greater fatigability contribute independently to slower gait speed in older adults. To fully understand the bidirectional relations between physical activity and fatigability, and to inform potential intervention strategies, we examined whether physical activity or fatigability explains more of the other factor’s association on slower gait speed. Methods Two generations (probands and offspring) of older adults (N = 2079, mean age 73.0 ± 10.0 years, 54.2% women, 99.7% White) enrolled in the Long Life Family Study were assessed at Visit 2 (2014–2017). Self-reported physical activity was measured with the Framingham Physical Activity Index and perceived physical fatigability using the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale. Statistical mediation analyses were conducted separately by generation with linear mixed-effect models accounting for family relatedness and adjusted for demographics, health conditions, and field center. Results Greater perceived physical fatigability explained the association of lower physical activity on slower gait speed via a 22.5% attenuation of the direct association (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.0%–35.2%) for the probands and 39.5% (95% CI: 22.8%–62.6%) for the offspring. Whereas lower physical activity explained the association of greater perceived fatigability on slower gait speed via a 22.5% attenuation of the direct association (95% CI: 13.4%–32.8%) for the probands and 6.7% (95% CI: 3.8%–15.4%) for the offspring. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the impact of greater perceived physical fatigability on the association between lower physical activity and slower gait speed differs between younger-old and middle-to-oldest-old adults, indicating perceived physical fatigability as a potential mediator in the disablement pathway.

scholarly journals Índice de Masa Corporal, Velocidad de Marcha y Fuerza de Prensión Manual en Mujeres Mayores Chilenas (Body Mass Index, Gait Speed and Manual Pressure Force in Chilean Older Women)

Retos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
Felipe Andrés Hermosilla Palma ◽  
Luis Felipe Castelli de Campos ◽  
Marco Cossio Bolaños ◽  
Cristian Luarte Rocha ◽  
Grimanés Medina Monsalve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
The Body ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Pressure Force ◽  
Manual Pressure

  Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio es de comparar la velocidad de marcha (VM), fuerza de tren superior (PM) y el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) en mujeres mayores que participan de forma regular en talleres de actividad física, según rango de edad, así como, verificar la asociación entre Edad, IMC y PM con VM en 10 metros. Metodología: Participaron voluntariamente 85 mujeres (70,1±6,9años) vinculadas al programa de talleres de adulto mayor del IND de la región de Ñuble. Las participantes fueron categorizadas según rango de edad (grupo total [GT], 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 y 80-84 años). Se evaluó el peso corporal y la estatura para el cálculo de IMC, la fuerza de tren superior con la prueba de prensión manual (PM) en la mano dominante y la VM en 10 metros. Resultados: Los principales resultados apuntan que la VM fue significativamente inferior para el grupo de 80-84 años comparados a los grupos GT (p<0.03), 60-64 (p<0.00) y de 65-69 años (p<0.03). El grupo 70-74 años fueron significativamente más lento que el de 60-64 años (p<0.02). La relación entre VM y PM para el grupo analizado fue positiva, baja y no significativa (r=0,20, p<0.06). Por fin, la Edad y el IMC resultaron en un modelo estadísticamente significativo [F(2,82)=13,784; p<0.001; R2=0.252, EE = 0,204m/s] para predicción de la VM. Conclusión: En general, concluimos que la VM se reduce en grupos con edades mayores y que la PM no presenta la misma tendencia, además que la Edad y el IMC son predictores de VM en mujeres mayores.  Abstract. The aim of this study is to compare the gait speed (VM), manual pressure force (PM) and the Body Mass Index (IMC) in older women who participate regularly in physical activity programs, according to age, as well as, to verify the association between Age, IMC and PM with MV in 10 meters. 85 older women (70.1 ± 6.9 years) from the physical activity program of the National Sports Institute of the Ñuble / Chile region voluntarily participated in the study. The participants were categorized according to age range (total group [GT], 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80-84 years). Body weight and height were evaluated for the calculation of IMC, upper body strength with the manual grip test (PM) in the dominant hand and the MV in 10 meters. Results: The main results indicate that MV was significantly lower for the 80-84 year-old group compared to the GT (p <0.03), 60-64 (p <0.00) and 65-69 years (p < 0.03). The 70-74 year group were significantly slower than the 60-64 year group (p <.024). The relationship between MV and PM for the analyzed group was positive, low and not significant (r = 0.20, p <0.06). Finally, Age and BMI resulted in a statistically significant model [F (2,82) = 13,784; p <0.001; R2 = 0.252, SE = 0.204m / s] for prediction of MV. Conclusion: In general, we conclude that MV decreased in older age groups and that PM does not present the same trend and that Age and IMC are predictors of MV in older women.

Prevalence of Regular Exercise Among Iranian Adults: A Study in Northern Iran

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 810-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Maddah ◽  
Zahra Akbarian ◽  
Solmaz Shoyooie ◽  
Maryam Rostamnejad ◽  
Mehdi Soleimani
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Regular Exercise ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Type Method ◽  
Men And Women

Background:Regular exercise is an important aspect of physical activity for people living in urban areas. We examined prevalence of regular exercise in leisure times and some related factors in middle aged men and women in northern Iran.Method:A cross-sectional survey was undertaken on 1425 women and 676 men in 2 main cities in northern Iran. Information on exercise habits was collected using a self-administrated questionnaire. Regular exercise was defined as any kind of recreational or sport physical activity other than walking performed three or more days per week for at least 20 minutes. Questions on perceived barriers on regular exercise and walking habit were also included in the questionnaire.Results:Findings showed that 11.2% of the participants (9% in women and 12.8% in men P < .05) did exercise regularly. Prevalence of doing regular exercise was inversely related to age in women but not in men. Educated women were more likely to do regular exercise. The most common perceived barrier for regular exercise was time insufficiency.Conclusion:Only a small proportion of the study men and women had sustainable regular exercise for 1 year. Regular exercise was more common among young and well educated women than older women and the men.

Eternally Wounded Women? Feminist Perspectives on Physical Activity and Aging or a Woman’s P(l)ace in the Marathon of Life

2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Vertinsky
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Strong Influence ◽  
Physical Aging ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Marathon Race ◽  
The Past ◽  
Aging Women ◽  
Feminist Perspectives ◽  
Elderly Athletes

Elderly athletes running the marathon offer a barometer of what is possible in physical aging. Gender, however, has a strong influence on one’s chances in the marathon race, just as it has on the manner and pace with which one navigates the marathon of life. This article looks at the obstacles that women, especially older women, have had to overcome in order to compete in the marathon race. It explores the ways that gender has limited their real and perceived opportunities in pursuing strenuous sports and shows how male–female dichotomies have been used historically to perpetuate patriarchal views on the ways women could and should use their bodies. Finally, it illustrates how feminist inquiry and methods of analysis can help us understand why aging women in the past have more often been seen as “eternally wounded” than as special candidates for sporting excellence in later life.

scholarly journals Associations between Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers and Indicators of Muscle Health in Older Men and Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 5316
Author(s):  
Oscar Bergens ◽  
Andreas Nilsson ◽  
Fawzi Kadi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Inflammatory Biomarkers ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Biological Sex ◽  
Muscle Health ◽  
Older Men And Women

Systemic inflammation is believed to contribute to declining muscle health during aging. The present study aims to examine associations between indicators of muscle health and pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in older men and women, while also considering the impacts of physical activity and protein intake. An assessment of skeletal muscle index (SMI) by bioelectrical impedance analysis, handgrip strength, and 5-sit-to-stand time, using standardized procedures, was conducted in a population of older men (n = 90) and women (n = 148) aged 65–70 years. The inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α were assessed in blood samples. Data were analyzed and stratified according to biological sex using multiple linear regression models. In older women, SMI was inversely associated with the pro-inflammatory markers CRP (β = −0.372; p < 0.05), fibrinogen (β = −0.376; p < 0.05), and IL-6 (β = −0.369; p < 0.05). Importantly, these associations were independent of abdominal adiposity (waist circumference), protein intake, physical activity level, as well as any adherence to muscle strengthening guidelines (≥2 sessions/week). In contrast, no corresponding associations were observed in men. In conclusion, our findings indicate the detrimental influence of a pro-inflammatory environment on muscle health regardless of important lifestyle-related factors in older women. However, the lack of such associations in older men highlights the importance of considering biological sex when examining the complex interaction between the systemic inflammatory environment and muscle health.

scholarly journals Changes in physical activity levels and relationship to balance performance, gait speed, and self-rated health in older Swedish women: a longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian E. Papp ◽  
Ann Charlotte Grahn-Kronhed ◽  
Hans Rauch Lundin ◽  
Helena Salminen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Eyes Open

Abstract Background and aim Physical activity levels in older people often decrease and may mean impaired physical functioning leading to an increased fall risk. The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported change in physical activity dose and deterioration in balance performance, gait speed, and self-rated health (SRH) in older women between two time points in a follow-up study. Methods A cohort of community-living women, aged 69–79 years (n = 351) were evaluated by questionnaire and clinical tests on balance, gait speed, and SRH at baseline. One hundred and eighty-six women were followed-up by these tests 8.5 years after inclusion. The non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney U test were used for the analysis. Results The greatest changes were seen in one-leg standing time (OLST) with eyes closed (− 60%) and eyes open (− 42%). The population was divided into high exercise (HE, n = 49) and low exercise (LE, n = 51) groups. At baseline the HE group had an OLST of 19 s with eyes open and 3 s with eyes closed. In the LE group, these values were 7.3 s and 2 s. At follow-up, differences between HE and LE concerning tandem walk forwards (steps) (HE = 8.5; LE = 2.5) and backwards (HE = 11; LE = 3.5) emerged. The HE group estimated SRH (VAS-scale) 30 mm higher at baseline and 17 mm higher at follow-up than the LE group. Conclusion Greater physical activity seems to be an important predictor for maintaining physical function and SRH in older women.

scholarly journals SITTING PATTERNS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING IN OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S20-S20
Author(s):  
Dori E Rosenberg ◽  
Mikael Anne Greenwood-Hickman ◽  
Rod walker ◽  
KatieRose Richmire ◽  
Paul Crane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prolonged Sitting ◽  
Change In Mean ◽  
Lower Physical Activity

Abstract We examined cross-sectional associations between physical function and device-based (activPAL) sedentary patterns and physical activity. Physical function tasks included time to complete 5 chair stands and walk a 10-foot gait speed course. We estimated associations using linear regression models adjusting for age and sex; coefficients represent estimated change in mean activPAL measures associated with each second increase in gait/chair stands time. Longer gait speed times were associated with more total sitting time (b=0.19, p &lt; 0.01), fewer steps (b=-788.0, p&lt;0.001), fewer sitting breaks (b=-1.7, p&lt;0.01), and more prolonged sitting bouts (b=0.19, p&lt;0.01). Longer chair stand times were associated with more total sitting time (b=0.06, p&lt;0.001), less standing time (b=-0.04, p&lt;0.01), fewer steps (b=-176.8, p&lt;0.001), fewer sitting breaks (b=-0.45, p&lt;0.01), and more prolonged sitting bouts (b=0.07, p&lt;0.001). Prolonged patterns of sitting time and higher total sitting time, in addition to lower physical activity, were consistently associated with worse physical function.

scholarly journals Subjective and objective characteristics of physical activity in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 62-65
Author(s):  
Sergey Cherkasov ◽  
Marina Shapovalova ◽  
Yuriy Boyko ◽  
Anna Fedyaeva ◽  
Alexander Shiroky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Sport Activities ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Activity Comparison ◽  
Parametric And Nonparametric Statistics

Physical activity is often considered as an essential component of a healthy lifestyle and is required to be studied in detail. It is especially important to study this issue in reference to the population of older age groups. The aim of the research was to analyse subjective and objective characteristics of physical activity in population of older age groups. Methods of sociological survey, parametric and nonparametric statistics were used in the work. Data on the characteristics of physical activity were obtained on the basis of a study of 1,045 subjects of both genders aged 60 years and older. The participants of the survey did not have any kinds of disability and were not engaged in any sport activities. According to the results of the study, the age of the men and women was the determinant of assessing a level of physical activity. The average level of physical activity prevailed in men aged 60–74 years. Low levels of physical activity prevailed in men aged 75 years and older. Women had mostly low levels of physical activity. Comparison of subjective and objective characteristics of physical activity showed a significant overestimation of subjective characteristics of high levels of physical activity and underestimation of the prevalence of low levels of physical activity in both men and women. As a result of gender comparisons, it was revealed that men aged 60–74 years overestimated their level of physical activity by a fourfold, while women were more objective assessing their level of physical activity.

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