scholarly journals What is the impact of the built environment on leisure moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time among the elderly: A cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue LIU ◽  
Lin WANG ◽  
Zhu-Ying WANG ◽  
Zhi-Jian WU ◽  
Hou-Lei WANG ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundAlthough many studies have reported the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time (ST), and the built environment (BE) among older adults, little is known about these associations in the Chinese older adult population. The purpose of this study was to investigate how various factors in the built environment of Nanjing’s communities influence leisure moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time among the elderly.MethodsA multilevel cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017. Altogether, thirty neighborhoods were selected and 586 individuals aged 60 years or older living in the urban zone of NanJing in Southern China were surveyed. Physical activity was measured using Actigraph GT3 Accelerometer. Built environment variables were measured using ArcGIS software. A multivariate linear regression method was used to analyze the factors influencing leisure moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time among the elderly.ResultsThe percentage of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of urban elderly within a 1000-m distance reached 76.12%, indicating this zone as appropriate for the study of urban elderly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. We found that land-use mix (β=8.800, p=0.001) and distance to fitness venue (β=-5.876, p=0.004) influenced moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Population density (β=13.998, p=0.004) and land-use mix (β=-21.62, p=0.033) use influenced sedentary time.ConclusionsOur findings provide support for the association between the built environment and physical activity among the Chinese elderly. Some characteristics of the built environment including land-use mix and distance to fitness venue may affect MVPA, while other characteristics including population density and land-use mix may impact ST. In formulating urban planning policies, the above factors should be taken into account to promote physical activity in older people, encouraging them to modify their sedentary lifestyle and improving their overall health.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasmore Malambo ◽  
Andre P. Kengne ◽  
Estelle V. Lambert ◽  
Anniza De Villers ◽  
Thandi Puoane

Introduction. The association between perceived built environmental attributes and hypertension among adults has received little attention in an African context. We investigated the association between the perceived built environment and prevalent hypertension in adult South Africans. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted using 2008-2009 Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology data among South African (n=671) adults aged ≥35 years. Perceived built environment was assessed using the neighborhood environment walkability scale questionnaire. Prevalent hypertension was defined as previously diagnosed by a physician, screen-detected hypertension as ≥140/90 mmHg, and a combination of both as any hypertension. Logistic regressions were applied for analyses. Results. In crude logistic regressions, self-reported hypertension was associated with land use mix-diversity, street connectivity, infrastructure for walking/cycling, aesthetics, traffic, and crime. In adjusted model, land use mix-diversity was significantly associated with self-reported hypertension. In similar multivariable models, the direction and magnitude of the effects were mostly similar to the outcomes of “screen-detected hypertension” which was further predicted by perceived lack of safety from traffic. Conclusion. Perceived built environment attributes were significantly associated with hypertension. This has relevance to population-based approaches to hypertension prevention and control.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi jian Wu ◽  
Zhu ying Wang ◽  
Bing qian Hu ◽  
Xu hui Zhang ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: This study explored the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on the decline of cognitive ability among the elderly. To compensate for the limitations of self-reported physical activity, objective measures were used. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 308 aged people mean 68.66±5.377 years, in Nanjing, China, was conducted. Physical activity was measured using the ActiGraph GT3X+, and cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Results: The overall participant model, adjusted for age, BMI, education, and monthly average income, found that light physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01), moderate-vigorous physical activity (β=0.068, p<0.001), and total physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01) had a significant linear relationship with cognitive ability, while sedentary time did not (β=-0.020, p>0.05). Further, light physical activity only affects the cognitive ability of elderly females (β=0.006, p<0.05). There was an inverted ‘U’ association between moderate-vigorous physical activity and cognitive ability. The association models found that moderate-vigorous physical activity in the 22.13 min·day–1~38.79 min·day–1 range affected cognitive ability most beneficially, with the highest beta coefficient among all groups (β=0.091, p<0.05). Conclusions: While physical activity can significantly improve cognitive ability among the elderly, sedentary behaviour is associated with decreased cognitive function across genders.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi jian Wu ◽  
Zhu ying Wang ◽  
Bing qian Hu ◽  
Xu hui Zhang ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract This study explored the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on the decline of cognitive ability among the elderly. To compensate for the limitations of self-reported physical activity, objective measures were used. A cross-sectional survey of 308 aged people mean 68.66±5.377 years, in Nanjing, China, was conducted. Physical activity was measured using the ActiGraph GT3X+, and cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The overall participant model, adjusted for age, BMI, education, and monthly average income, found that light physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01), moderate-vigorous physical activity (β=0.068, p<0.001), and total physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01) had a significant linear relationship with cognitive ability, while sedentary time did not (β=-0.020, p>0.05). Further, light physical activity only affects the cognitive ability of elderly females (β=0.006, p<0.05). There was an inverted ‘U’ association between moderate-vigorous physical activity and cognitive ability. The association models found that moderate-vigorous physical activity in the 22.13 min·day –1 ~38.79 min·day –1 range affected cognitive ability most beneficially, with the highest beta coefficient among all groups (β=0.091, p<0.05). In conclusion, while physical activity can significantly improve cognitive ability among the elderly, sedentary behaviour is associated with decreased cognitive function across genders.


Author(s):  
Fernanda M. Silva ◽  
João Petrica ◽  
João Serrano ◽  
Rui Paulo ◽  
André Ramalho ◽  
...  

Background: Ageing is a life-long process characterized by a progressive loss of physical fitness compromising strength, flexibility, and agility. The purpose of this study was to use accelerometry to examine the relationship between sedentary time, light physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with the elderly’s physical fitness. Additionally, we aimed to examine the association between the aforementioned variables on older adults who fulfilled global recommendations on physical activity for health and on those who did not fulfil these recommendations. Methods: Eighty-three elderly (mean ± SD: 72.14 ± 5.61 years old) of both genders volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional study, being divided into an active group (n = 53; 71.02 ± 5.27 years old) and an inactive group (n = 30; 74.13 ± 5.72 years old) according to the established guidelines. Sedentary and physical activity times were assessed using an ActiGraph® GT1M accelerometer, whereas physical fitness was evaluated with the Senior Fitness Test. Results: MVPA time was correlated with lower body mass index (BMI) ((rs = −0.218; p = 0.048; −0.3 < r ≤ −0.1 (small)) and shorter time to complete the agility test ((rs = −0.367; p = 0.001; −0.5 < r ≤ −0.3 (low)). Moreover, MVPA time was positively correlated with aerobic endurance ((rs = 0.397; p = 0.000; 0.5 < r ≤ 0.3 (low)) and strength ((rs = 0.243; p = 0.027; 0.3 < r ≤ 0.1 (small)). In the inactive group, MVPA time was positively correlated with upper limb flexibility ((rs = 0.400; p = 0.028; 0.5 < r ≤ 0.3 (low)); moreover, sedentary time was negatively correlated with upper limb flexibility ((r = −0.443; p = 0.014; −0.5 < r ≤ −0.3 (low)), and LPA time was negatively correlated with BMI ((r = −0.423; p = 0.020; −0.5 < r ≤ −0.3 (low)). In the active group, MVPA time was correlated with lower BMI ((rs = −0.320; p = 0.020; −0.5 < r ≤ −0.3 (low)), and shorter time to complete agility test ((rs = −0.296; p = 0.031; −0.3 < r ≤ −0.1 (small)). Conclusions: Our results reinforce the importance of promoting MVPA practice among the elderly, thereby allowing physical fitness maintenance or improvement.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e042600
Author(s):  
Sanna Pasanen ◽  
Jaana I Halonen ◽  
Anna Pulakka ◽  
Yan Kestens ◽  
Benoit Thierry ◽  
...  

ObjectivesWe examined sedentary time and physical activity in different contexts among ageing workers, between their workdays and days off, and recent retirees, between their weekdays and weekend days.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingFinnish Retirement and Aging study and Enhancing physical activity and healthy ageing among recent retirees—Randomised controlled in-home physical activity trial.Participants137 workers (544 measurement days) and 53 retirees (323 days), who provided data for at least 1 workday/weekday and 1 day off/weekend day.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPhysical activity behaviour was measured with a combined Global Positioning System and accelerometer device (SenseDoc V.2.0), providing information on sedentary time, light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) by locations (home or non-home) and trips (active travel, ie, speed <20 km/hour and passive travel, ie, speed ≥20 km/hour).ResultsWorkers accumulated more sedentary time and physical activity at non-home locations than at home on workdays, while the opposite was confirmed for days off (p<0.01). Workers accrued more MVPA on days off than on workdays (34 vs 28 min, p<0.05), of which 9 min on workdays and 14 min on days off was accrued during active travel. Retirees’ physical activity behaviour did not differ between weekdays and weekend days (p>0.05). Regardless of the day, retirees accumulated 33 min of daily MVPA, of which 14 min was accrued during active travel.ConclusionsWorkers accumulated more MVPA on days off than on workdays, and their activity behaviour varied between workdays and days off at different locations. Our results showed that a large proportion of the MVPA was accumulated during travel at slower speeds, which suggests that active travel could be a feasible way to increase MVPA among older adults.Trial registration numberNCT03320746.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi jian Wu ◽  
Zhu ying Wang ◽  
Bing qian Hu ◽  
Xu hui Zhang ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract This study aims to explore the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on the decline of cognitive ability among the elderly. It uses objective measures to compensate for the limitations of self-reported physical activity. A cross-sectional survey of 308 people aged over 60 in Nanjing, China, was conducted. Physical activity was measured using the ActiGraph GT3X+, and cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The overall participant model, adjusted for age, BMI, education, and monthly average income found that light physical activity (LPA; β=0.006, p<0.01), moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; β=0.068, p<0.001), and total physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01) had a significant linear relationship with cognitive ability, while sedentary time (SED) did not (β=-0.020, p>0.05). Further, LPA only affects the cognitive ability of elderly females (β=0.006, p<0.05). In addition, there was an inverted ‘U’ dose-response relationship between MVPA and cognitive ability. Dose-effect relationship models found that MVPA in the 22.13 min·day–1~38.79 min·day–1 range affected cognitive ability most beneficially. The beta coefficient was higher than the other three groups (β=0.091, p<0.05). In conclusion, while physical activity can significantly improve cognitive ability among the elderly, sedentary behaviour has no significant effect on it.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi jian Wu ◽  
Zhu ying Wang ◽  
Bing qian Hu ◽  
Xu hui Zhang ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract This study explored the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on the decline of cognitive ability among the elderly. To compensate for the limitations of self-reported physical activity, objective measures were used. A cross-sectional survey of 308 aged people mean 68.66±5.377 years, in Nanjing, China, was conducted. Physical activity was measured using the ActiGraph GT3X+, and cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The overall participant model, adjusted for age, BMI, education, and monthly average income, found that light physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01), moderate-vigorous physical activity (β=0.068, p<0.001), and total physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01) had a significant linear relationship with cognitive ability, while sedentary time did not (β=-0.020, p>0.05). Further, light physical activity only affects the cognitive ability of elderly females (β=0.006, p<0.05). There was an inverted ‘U’ association between moderate-vigorous physical activity and cognitive ability. The association models found that moderate-vigorous physical activity in the 22.13 min·day –1 ~38.79 min·day –1 range affected cognitive ability most beneficially, with the highest beta coefficient among all groups (β=0.091, p<0.05). In conclusion, while physical activity can significantly improve cognitive ability among the elderly, sedentary behaviour is associated with decreased cognitive function across genders.


Author(s):  
Maria do Socorro Simoes ◽  
Fernando Wehrmeister ◽  
Marcello Romiti ◽  
Antonio de Toledo Gagliardi ◽  
Rodolfo Arantes ◽  
...  

We investigated if cardiorespiratory fitness modifies the association between obesity and the level of physical activity. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 746 adults, free of diagnosed cardiorespiratory or locomotor diseases. We analyzed sociodemographic and clinical information, cardiovascular risk factors, cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometry, and level of physical activity (time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity). Those that spent more time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were younger, male, with lower body mass index, without self-reported arterial blood hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, non-smokers, and presented with better cardiorespiratory fitness. The linear regression coefficients showed that cardiorespiratory fitness changes according to the level of physical activity and body mass index (obesity in low cardiorespiratory fitness: β 6.0, p = 0.213, 95%CI -3.5 to 15.6; in intermediate cardiorespiratory fitness: β 6.3, p = 0.114, 95%CI -1.5 to 14.2; in high cardiorespiratory fitness: β -6.3, p = 0.304, 95%CI -18.4 to 5.8). This effect modification trend was present after adjusting the model by covariates. Cardiorespiratory fitness potentially modifies the association between body mass index and the level of physical activity. It should be routinely assessed to identify persons with overweight/ obesity with low/ intermediate cardiorespiratory fitness to prescribe individualized training.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Hanna ◽  
Anne Hanley ◽  
Avril Huddy ◽  
Michael McDonald ◽  
Fiona Willer

OBJECTIVE: To assess participation in physical activity and knowledge of general nutrition and current public health messages about the health benefits of physical activity in university dance students, and to investigate differences between first-year and later-year students and between students in dance and dance performance course groups. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 67 participants from dance undergraduate degrees in a university in Australia. Nutrition knowledge was assessed using the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire. Physical activity participation and awareness of its benefits were assessed using the Active Australia Survey. RESULTS: Results indicate low nutrition knowledge among dance students, with 47% and 52% of responses correct in dance and dance performance students, respectively. Nutrition knowledge did not vary between students in first or later years. Self-reported participation in moderate and vigorous physical activity varied substantially and met or exceeded recommendations based upon duration and frequency for 98% of participants. However, awareness of physical activity messages varied, with dance students more likely to disagree about the level of activity needed for health benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Dance students report varying levels of physical activity that usually met or exceeded recommendations; however, knowledge of general nutrition and physical activity benefits was low. Improved knowledge could contribute to changes in behavior that improve health status in this population.


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