Relationship between physical performance and physical activity among community older adults: The suppressing effects of loneliness and perceived neighborhood environment

Abstract

This study aims to explore the role of loneliness and perceived neighborhood environment in the relationship between physical performance and physical activity among community older adults. A total of 740 older adults were recruited to complete a survey and a physical performance test. Path analysis and bootstrap analysis were performed to explore whether there were conditional indirect effects of loneliness and perceived neighborhood environment on physical activity. The results showed that physical performance had statistically significant positive effects on physical activity (total effect: β=0.378, P < 0.001;direct effect: β=0.523, P < 0.001), the association was mediated by loneliness (β=-0.098, P < 0.001)) and perceived neighborhood environment (β=-0.047, P < 0.05). Older adults would engage in more physical activities if they lived in a friendly neighborhood environment. Meanwhile, attention and social support should be provided to alleviate their loneliness and to promote their physical activity.