Stability and change in physical activity in old age: the role of changes in disability

Abstract

The objective was to examine whether stability and change in physical activity in older men and women are influenced by (1) changes in disability and by (2) social relations and psychological well-being. The study is based on baseline, 3 and 4.5 year follow-up data on 917 older men and women. Changes in physical activity were measured through self-reported frequencies of vigorous physical activity at the three measurement points. The analyses were carried out for two outcomes-decline in physical activity versus sustained high level of physical activity (from high to low) and sustained low physical activity versus improvement in physical activity (from low to high). The main results were: older adults with onset of tiredness or continuous tiredness in daily activities during 4.5 years are more likely to have a concurrent decline in their physical activities during the same period. Older adults with onset of need of help and sustained need of help are more likely to have a decline in physical activities or to sustain a low level of physical activities during the same period. The associations between the psychosocial factors and change in physical activity are attenuated by the concurrent changes in disability. The present study supports that health promotion projects should be aware that development of tiredness and continuous tiredness are strongly related to a decline in physical activity and that onset of and sustained need of help are strongly associated with both a decline in and sustained low physical activity.

BMI, life-style and psychological conditions in a sample of elderly italian men and women

“…Comparing with gender, it emerged that women engaged in less physically activity than men (42). Our study results and those of others confirm that while "walking" is one of the most common forms of physical exercise practised by older persons (43), it is watching TV that most occupies their leisure time (44).…”

Fatigue in older populations

“…[43] A study on 75-and 80-year-old persons in four counties in Denmark showed that older adults who developed mobilityrelated fatigue or who continuously felt fatigue when performing their daily activities during 4.5 years were more likely to show a concurrent decline in their physical activities during the same period. [44] In another study based on the NORA data it was shown that women with mobility-related fatigue at age 75 had fewer social network activities compared with women without fatigue, i.e., they had little sustained contact with children and little sustained diversity in social relations over the next five years. [45] Underlying factors Numerous studies have investigated the underlying factors for fatigue in patients (for a review see [1]).…”

Fatigue in older adults: an early indicator of the aging process?

“…Results from cross-sectional data from the 70-year study in Glostrup showed that men and women with a low score on the Mob-T Scale were more likely to be less active with regard to physical, intellectual, cultural and social activities, compared with persons with high scores on the scale (66). A study on 75-and 80-year old persons in four counties in Denmark showed that older adults who developed fatigue or who continuously felt fatigued when performing their daily activities during 4½ years were more likely to show a concurrent decline in their physical activities during the same period (67). It was also shown that women who felt fatigued in their daily activities at age 75 had fewer social network activities compared with non-fatigued women, …”