scholarly journals Visualizing Physical Activity Patterns among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Sports ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Haga ◽  
Katerina Vrotsou ◽  
Ebba Bredland

Regular physical activity relates to physical and mental functioning in older people, and promoting physical activity has the potential to substantially reduce functional decline and improve well-being. Despite this, investigations of the physical activity quotient through participation in functional activities in everyday life have traditionally gained limited focus among older populations compared to leisure-time physical activity and exercise. Considering the accumulated evidence of the health benefits of low-intensity physical activity, exploring and measuring such activities in this population is highly relevant. The aim of this study was to visualize and describe older people’s physical activity patterns in daily life using a time-geographic approach in combination with the estimation of metabolic equivalents (METS). To exemplify the new method, a sample of nine retired men (65–82 years old, mean age 76.4 ± 5.8) with no homecare services from the municipality was recruited. In order to enable a visual analysis of the physical activity patterns in daily life, we developed the VISUAL-PA software, which is a visual analysis tool that includes METS to account for intensity and enables the analysis of distinct types and domains of physical activity. The VISUAL-PA software creates graphic outputs of physical activity patterns that enable the identification, visualization, and analysis of distinct types and intensities of physical activity in addition to sedentary behavior. The use of VISUAL-PA can contribute to a broader understanding of the complexity in physical activity patterns among older adults in terms of dimensions such as activity patterns and habits, domains, and intensity level. To strengthen the public health strategies that promote health and an active lifestyle, additional knowledge about physical activity patterns is necessary. Moreover, the visualization of physical activity can enable reflections on and awareness of activity habits and preferences, and thus facilitate behavior changes in older individuals.

Gerontology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 603-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anisoara Paraschiv-Ionescu ◽  
Christophe J. Büla ◽  
Kristof Major ◽  
Constanze Lenoble-Hoskovec ◽  
Hélène Krief ◽  
...  

Background: Fall-related psychological concerns are common among older adults, potentially contributing to functional decline as well as to restriction of activities and social participation. To effectively prevent such negative consequences, it is important to understand how even very low concern about falling could affect physical activity behavior in everyday life. We hypothesized that concern about falling is associated with a reduction in diversity, dynamics, and performance of daily activities, and that these features can be comprehensively quantified in terms of complexity of physical activity patterns. Methods: A sample of 40 community-dwelling older adults were assessed for concern about falling using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Free-living physical activity was assessed using a set of metrics derived from data recorded with a chest-worn tri-axial accelerometer. The devised metrics characterized physical activity behavior in terms of endurance (total locomotion time, longest locomotion period, usual walking cadence), performance (cadence of longest locomotion period, locomotion periods with at least 30 steps and 100 steps/min), and complexity of physical activity patterns. Complexity was quantified according to variations in type, intensity, and duration of activities, and was considered as an adaptive response to environmental exigencies over the course of the day. Results: Based on FES-I score, participants were classified into two groups: not concerned at all/fully confident (n = 25) and concerned/less confident (n = 15). Demographic and health-related variables did not differ significantly between groups. Comparison of physical activity behavior indicated no significant differences for endurance-related metrics. In contrast, performance and complexity metrics were significantly lower in the less confident group compared to the fully confident group. Among all metrics, complexity of physical activity patterns appeared as the most discriminative feature between fully confident and less confident participants (p = 0.001, non-parametric Cliff’s delta effect size = 0.63). Conclusions: These results extend our understanding of the interplay between low concern about falling and physical activity behavior of community-dwelling older persons in their everyday life context. This information could serve to better design and evaluate personalized intervention programs in future prospective studies.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanna Yr Arnardottir ◽  
Annemarie Koster ◽  
Dane R. Van Domelen ◽  
Robert J. Brychta ◽  
Paolo Caserotti ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 627-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise J. Kenter ◽  
Winifred A. Gebhardt ◽  
Irene Lottman ◽  
Mariët van Rossum ◽  
Margreet Bekedam ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiho Amagasa ◽  
Shigeru Inoue ◽  
Hiroshi Murayama ◽  
Takeo Fujiwara ◽  
Hiroyuki Kikuchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Physical inactivity can be associated adversely with markers of eye health, but little is known about how ophthalmic disease (OD) may be related to sedentary behaviour (SB) and different intensities of physical activity in older adults. We compared device-assessed time spent in SB, light-intensity PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) between older adults with and without OD. Methods A randomly-recruited sample of 512 community-dwelling older adults (47% male; aged 65–84 years) in Japan wore a valid tri-axial accelerometer for seven consecutive days in 2017. Prevalence of OD was assessed by medical interview. Times spent in SB, LPA, and MVPA were compared between those with and without OD by compositional multivariate analysis of covariance, adjusting for potential confounders (gender, age, residential area, living arrangement, working, body mass index, self-rated health, and cognitive function). Results Overall, percent times spent in SB, LPA, and MVPA during waking hours were 51.0, 44.6, and 4.4, respectively; and, 167 (36.5%) had OD. Activity patterns differed significantly between those with and without OD: in those with OD, the proportion of time spent in MVPA relative to other behaviours was lower, and the proportion of time spent in SB relative to other behaviours was higher. Conclusions Older adults with OD were found to be less physically active than those without. Key messages While these cross-sectional findings need to be confirmed by evidence from prospective studies, the reciprocal influences of OD and inactivity in older adults should be addressed as scientific, clinical and public health considerations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal A. Wanigatunga ◽  
Thomas M. Gill ◽  
Anthony P. Marsh ◽  
Fang-Chi Hsu ◽  
Lusine Yaghjyan ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 37-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena de Montes ◽  
Jose Arruza ◽  
Silvia Arribas ◽  
Susana Irazusta ◽  
Saioa Telletxea

The Role of Organized Sports Participation during Adolescence in Adult Physical Activity Patterns An active adult lifestyle is related to higher quality of life regarding physical and psychological well-being. This study investigates the influence of organized sports participation during adolescence in adult physical activity in a retrospective way. A sample of participants living in the north of Spain was asked to report the minutes invested in vigorous, moderate and walking activities during the last seven days. Results showed that those who had been sports club members or had participated in competition prior to the age of 16 had spent a longer time on vigorous activities and a lesser amount of minutes on walking during the last seven days. Implications of adolescent organized sport for continuity of physical activity in adulthood are discussed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 601
Author(s):  
P.Y. Jeannet ◽  
R. Ganea ◽  
C. Piot ◽  
N. Goemans ◽  
M. van den Hauwe ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Fleig ◽  
Megan M. McAllister ◽  
Penny Brasher ◽  
Wendy L. Cook ◽  
Pierre Guy ◽  
...  

Objectives:To characterize patterns of sedentary behavior and physical activity in older adults recovering from hip fracture and to determine characteristics associated with activity.Methods:Community-dwelling, Canadian adults (65 years+) who sustained hip fracture wore an accelerometer at the waist for seven days and provided information on quality of life, falls self-efficacy, cognitive functioning, and mobility.Results:There were 53 older adults (mean age [SD] 79.5 [7.8] years) enrolled in the study; 49 had valid data and demonstrated high levels of sedentary time (median [p10, p90] 591.3 [482.2, 707.2] minutes/day), low levels of light activity (186.6 [72.6, 293.7]), and MVPA (2 [0.1, 27.6]), as well as few daily steps (2467.7 [617.1, 6820.4]). Regression analyses showed that age, gender, gait speed, and time since fracture were associated with outcomes.Conclusions:Older adults have long periods of sedentary time with minimal activity. Results are a call to action to encourage people to sit less and move more.


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