Physical Activity in Nursing Homes – Barriers and Facilitators: A Cross-Sectional Study.
J Aging Phys Act. 2011 Dec 30;
Authors: Kalinowski S, Wulff I, Kölzsch M, Kopke K, Kreutz R, Dräger D
Abstract
PURPOSE: To explore different institutional barriers to and facilitators of physical activity (PA) in nursing homes. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 40 German nursing homes and 217 nursing home residents (NHR) (M ± SD age: 80 ± 10.2 yr, 55% females, MMSE ≥ 20). Quantitative data were collected on the structural characteristics of nursing homes and the PA services available. RESULTS: Forms of exercise available were not adequately communicated to residents. Overall participation was below 50%. Awareness was significantly higher in residents with informed relatives (p = .003). A broad range of forms of exercise was generally available (M ± SD: 5 ± 2.22, range: 0-10), but they were rarely tailored to NHR needs and their effectiveness remains questionable. CONCLUSION: Multidimensional opportunities to promote PA in NHR are identified.
PMID: 22234875 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Visual Acuity’s Association With Levels of Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.
J Aging Phys Act. 2012 Jan;20(1):1-14
Authors: Swanson MW, Bodner E, Sawyer P, Allman RM
Abstract
Little is known about the effect of reduced vision on physical activity in older adults. This study evaluates the association of visual acuity level, self-reported vision, and ocular disease conditions with leisure-time physical activity and calculated caloric expenditure. A cross-sectional study of 911 subjects 65 yr and older from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging (SOA) cohort was conducted evaluating the association of vision-related variables to weekly kilocalorie expenditure calculated from the 17-item Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression was used to evaluate possible associations while controlling for potential confounders. In multivariate analyses, each lower step in visual acuity below 20/50 was significantly associated with reduced odds of having a higher level of physical activity, OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67, 0.97. Reduced visual acuity appears to be independently associated with lower levels of physical activity among community-dwelling adults.
Normative fitness performance scores of community-dwelling older adults in Spain.
J Aging Phys Act. 2012 Jan;20(1):106-26
Authors: Gusi N, Prieto J, Olivares PR, Delgado S, Quesada F, Cebrián C
Abstract
A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to obtain normative age-specific fitness scores for the general population of community-dwelling older adults in Spain. In total, 6,449 participants (5,610 women and 839 men) age 60-99 yr who lived in the region of Extremadura were recruited. Compared with the cohorts of similar studies in other countries, this cohort had more physically inactive elderly participants and participants with a higher body-fat percentage. All test results declined as age increased. Sex differences in the age-related decline in fat and body mass were observed. Women scored better in the flexibility tests, and men performed better in the other tests. These data may be highly useful for the age-specific assessment of the fitness performance of older adults and the design of programs that promote functional ability in older adults.
Gardening as a potential activity to reduce falls in older adults.
J Aging Phys Act. 2012 Jan;20(1):15-31
Authors: Chen TY, Janke MC
Abstract
This study examines whether participation in gardening predicts reduced fall risk and performance on balance and gait-speed measures in older adults. Data on adults age 65 and older (N = 3,237) from the Health and Retirement Study and Consumption and Activities Mail Survey were analyzed. Participants who spent 1 hr or more gardening in the past week were defined as gardeners, resulting in a total of 1,585 gardeners and 1,652 nongardeners. Independent t tests, chi square, and regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between gardening and health outcomes. Findings indicate that gardeners reported significantly better balance and gait speed and had fewer chronic conditions and functional limitations than nongardeners. Significantly fewer gardeners than nongardeners reported a fall in the past 2 yr. The findings suggest that gardening may be a potential activity to incorporate into future fall-prevention programs.
Adherence to exercise programs and determinants of maintenance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
J Aging Phys Act. 2012 Jan;20(1):32-46
Authors: Tak E CP, van Uffelen J GZ, Chin A Paw MJ, van Mechelen W, Hopman-Rock M
Abstract
After a randomized controlled trial showing that improvement on some aspects of cognitive function was related to adherence to an exercise program, determinants of adherence and maintenance were further studied. Older adults with mild cognitive impairment were contacted 6 mo after the end of exercise programs for a telephone interview addressing patterns of adherence and determinants of maintenance. Mean adherence during the trial was 53%. About one third of participants had lapses during the trial but completed, one third had no lapses, and one third dropped out or never started. Practical barriers (time, location) were related to not starting and functional limitations to dropout. After the trial 25% of participants continued the programs, 14% reported intention to continue, and 61% quit. Maintenance was determined by fewer health complaints, higher satisfaction with the programs, and better adherence during the programs. Although maintenance was low, this study identified several reasons and barriers to adherence and maintenance that could be addressed.
Are the attitudes of exercise instructors who work with older adults influenced by training and personal characteristics?
J Aging Phys Act. 2012 Jan;20(1):47-63
Authors: Hawley H, Skelton DA, Campbell M, Todd C
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Little is known about the relationship between attitudes and characteristics of instructors and uptake and adherence of older people to exercise classes. This article explores these issues.
METHODS: The authors surveyed 731 UK exercise instructors with specialist older adult exercise qualifications. A questionnaire investigated instructors’ characteristics and attitudes toward older adults’ participation in exercise.
RESULTS: For mostly seated classes, EXTEND qualification (B = 0.36, p = .005) had a positive effect on instructors’ attitudes. Later Life Training qualification (B = -2.80, p = .003), clinical background (B = -3.99, p = .005), and delivering classes in National Health Services (B = -3.12, p < .001), leisure centers (B = -2.75, p = .002), or nursing homes (B = -2.29, p = .005) had a negative effect on attitudes. For mostly standing classes, experience (B = 0.20, p = .003) and delivering in leisure centers (B = 0.46, p = .032) had a positive and clinical background (B = -1.78, p = .018) had a negative effect on instructors’ attitudes.
CONCLUSIONS: Most instructors have positive attitudes, but training and work context can influence attitudes toward older people’s participation in exercise classes both positively and negatively.
Older adult physical activity (PA) levels obtained from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ) and accelerometry (ACC) were compared. Mean difference scores between accumulated or bout ACC PA and the IPAQ were computed. Spearman rank-order correlations were used to assess relations between time spent in PA measured from ACC and self-reported form of the IPAQ, and percentage agreement across measures was used to classify meeting or not meeting PA recommendations. The IPAQ significantly underestimated sitting and overestimated time spent in almost all PA intensities. Group associations across measures revealed significant relations in walking, total PA, and sitting for the whole group (r = .29-.36, p < .05). Significant relationships between bout ACC and IPAQ walking (r = .28-.39, p < .05) were found. There was 40-46% agreement between measures for meeting PA recommendations. The IPAQ appears not to be a good indicator of individual older adult PA behavior but is better suited for larger population-based samples.
The effect of weather on walking behavior in older adults.
J Aging Phys Act. 2012 Jan;20(1):80-92
Authors: Dunn RA, Shaw WD, Trousdale MA
Abstract
In this article, the authors examine how temperature and precipitation affect the probability that a retired American between the ages of 65 and 90 walks at least 2.5 hr/wk, using longitudinal data on walking frequency from the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey, a subpanel in the Health and Retirement Survey. Walking behavior is linked with monthly temperature and precipitation data from weather-station reports. The authors found that higher temperatures were associated with a higher probability of walking at least 2.5 hr/wk for women. In contrast, higher temperatures are associated with a lower probability of walking at least 2.5 hr/wk among men. Precipitation is not significantly associated with walking behavior for either gender.
Improvements in functional capacity from nordic walking: a randomized controlled trial among older adults.
J Aging Phys Act. 2012 Jan;20(1):93-105
Authors: Parkatti T, Perttunen J, Wacker P
Abstract
This study examined the effects of an instructed structured Nordic walking (NW) exercise program on the functional capacity of older sedentary people. Volunteers were randomly assigned to an NW group (68.2 ± 3.8 yr old) or control group (69.9 ± 3.0 yr old). Before and at the end of the 9-wk intervention, functional tests and 2-dimensional ground-reaction-force (GRF) patterns of normal (1.40 m/s) and fast (1.94 m/s) walking speeds were measured. The intervention included a 60-min supervised NW session on an inside track twice a week for 9 wk. The mean changes in functional tests differed between groups significantly. Gait analyses showed no significant differences between the groups on any GRF parameters for walking speed either before or after the intervention. The study showed that NW has favorable effects on functional capacity in older people and is a suitable form of exercise for them.
Experiences of Physical Activity Among People 80 Years of Age and Older; Physical Activity as a Means of Counteracting Disability, Balanced in Relation to Frailty.
J Aging Phys Act. 2011 Dec 20;
Authors: Welmer AK, Mörck A, Dahlin-Ivanoff S
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe experiences of physical activity, perceived meaning and importance of, and motives and barriers for participation in physical activity, among people 80 years of age and older. A qualitative design with focus-group methodology was used. The sample consisted of 20 community-living people aged 80-91 years. Data analyses revealed four themes: physical activity as a part of everything else in life, joie de vivre, fear of disease and dependence and perceptions of frailty. Our results suggest that physical activity was not seen as a separate activity but rather as a part of activities often rated as more important than the physical activity itself. Thus, when designing physical activity interventions for elderly people, health care providers should consider including time for social interaction and possibilities of being outdoors. Moreover, assessment of physical activity levels among elderly people should include the physical activity in everyday activities.
PMID: 22190286 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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