Journal of Aging and Physical Activity最新文献

Peer-volunteering schemes can facilitate health improvement via increasing physical activity levels. Understanding what motivates peer volunteers is valuable for the feasibility of volunteering schemes. This scoping review aims to explore the motivations of peer volunteers aged over 50 who participate in programs that promote physical activity. Four databases were searched in March 2023 with no date restrictions. The inclusion criteria were adults over 50 years of age, experience in physical activity peer-volunteering schemes, assessed volunteer motivation, and uses English language. Nine studies were included (252 participants, aged 54-85) Peer-volunteer and volunteering characteristics were extracted from the papers. An inductive thematic analysis approach was taken to analyze the motivation data. The themes were then mapped onto theoretical constructs of motivation. Three themes of motivation emerged that could enable us to better design peer-volunteer recruitment strategies: altruistic (giving back), personal improvement (meeting goals), and past experience (helping others overcome experienced barriers). The review suggested that peer-volunteer motivations fall in line with the mechanisms of motivation suggested by psychological theories such as social cognitive and self-determination theories. To improve peer-volunteer uptake and retention, appropriate theoretical frameworks should be employed to inform the content of future interventions to ensure that volunteers will have their motivations met.

Objectives: This study evaluated Veterans' motivation and perception of different components of a novel physical therapy (PT) treatment aimed at increasing mobility, motivation, and exercise adoption.

Methods: Patient-satisfaction surveys were administered to middle-aged to older Veterans (≥50 years old) with slow walking speed who completed the 8-week PT treatment. Mixed methods were employed to assess rating-based responses and examine themes derived from open-ended responses.

Results: Twenty-three participants completed the surveys (mean age: 73 years, Short Physical Performance Battery: 8.5, 96% male). Overall, participants were satisfied with the PT treatment (80%), and over 85% responded that the PT treatment met its objectives by improving their mobility. Veterans rated functional power training as challenging and the most valuable component of Live Long Walk Strong mobility training. Factors that influenced Veterans' motivations for meeting their exercise goals, were having a personal goal, a motivated physical therapist, and scheduled appointments. Participants rated aspects of behavioral coaching to be "somewhat useful" or "very useful." Approximately half of the Veterans did not use the exercise journal to keep track of their home exercises. Reasons for not using the exercise journal were feeling busy or already having an exercise routine.

Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of prescribing challenging and meaningful PT treatment even among mobility-limited Veterans. Veterans may achieve their exercise goals by being instructed by a motivated physical therapist, having personal goals, and scheduling future appointments. There may be individual variability among those who may benefit from aspects of behavioral coaching and may need to be adjusted based on Veteran's needs.

Objectives: The aim of this review and meta-analysis is to compare different low-intensity forms of physical activity (PA; Baduanjin, Tai Chi, walking, and general PA) as treatments for knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: Between 2003 and 2023, pertinent articles published in scientific electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar) were searched in preparation for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Twenty-four studies that satisfied the requirements were selected, with a total sample size of 1,972 participants, of which 71.46% were female. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria were followed in the study selection process, and the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies.

Results: The systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that various low-intensity PAs, particularly Asian exercise techniques such as Baduanjin, Tai Chi, and walking, significantly alleviated symptoms of knee osteoarthritis in middle and late adulthood. Pain reduction showed a moderately significant effect size (d = -0.65, SE = 0.14, p < .001), with all interventions, including Baduanjin, general PA, Tai Chi, and walking, significantly decreasing pain levels. Stiffness also improved, with a moderate effect size (d = -0.71, SE = 0.17, p < .001), and physical function significantly improved (d = -0.58, SE = 0.15, p < .001).

Conclusion: The results suggest that walking and Baduanjin exercises can be effectively integrated into community-based programs for middle-aged and older adults to manage knee osteoarthritis symptoms, offering a cost-effective nonpharmacological intervention.

Amount of serial sitting and standing movements has been employed in clinical and research settings to assess legs' muscular strength. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to test the correlation between the 30-s sit-to-stand power test (30STSp) outcome and body balance in older adults. We evaluated physically active male and female (n = 51) individuals with an age range of 60-80 years (M = 69.29). Participants were assessed on the maximum number of repetitions for 30STSp and on the performance of balance tasks, as follows: quiet standing in unipedal support, unipedal support while alternately touching two targets on the ground with the toe of the nonsupporting foot in either the anteroposterior (AP) or mediolateral (ML) direction, and paced sit-to-stand supported on a narrow bipedal support base. Performance on the balance tasks was measured through smartphone-based triaxial trunk accelerometry (meters per second squared), with analysis made through root mean square for the AP and ML axes. Analysis indicated significant negative correlation coefficients of 30STSp outcome with trunk acceleration on unipedal quiet stance tasks both in the ML (rs = -.46) and AP (rs = -.40) directions and with the AP alternate target touching task for ML trunk acceleration (rs = -.34) and the ML alternate target touching task for AP trunk acceleration (rs = -.31). These results suggest that in active older adults, the 30STSp outcome is associated with balance in unipedal quiet standing and dynamic tasks. Our findings indicate the contribution of balance control in the performance of 30STSp.

Introduction: Dual-task (DT) exercises combine both physical and cognitive activities and have the potential to efficiently enhance both physical and cognitive function.

Background/objectives: This study aimed to determine if, compared with exercise-only (EO) and control (C) groups, adults in a DT training program improved measures of cognitive and/or physical functioning.

Methods: Thirty-five participants (Mage = 65.7 ± 8.5 years; 74.3% female, 25.7% male) were randomly sorted into EO (n = 15), DT (n = 10), and C (n = 10). EO and DT participated in 3 months of twice weekly, 50-min exercise. DT played cognitive games on a SMARTfit Cognitive-Motor Exercise System during exercise sessions. C did not participate in any supervised sessions. Cognition was assessed with a Cognivue Thrive program. Dynamic stability, coordination, and lower body strength were assessed. Linear mixed-effects models investigated effects for different groups. For outcomes showing significant (p < .05) differences, pairwise t tests were conducted between all treatment and time comparisons.

Results: Dynamic stability and coordination improved in DT and EO (p = .002 and .04, respectively), but not in C in the first 6 weeks (p = .58). Cognition and memory did not change over time among the three groups.

Conclusion: Healthy, independent-living older adults in either DT or EO improved dynamic stability and coordination over time and DT improved balance and functional mobility more than either EO or C. No improvements in several standard cognition or memory measurements were observed. Significance/Implications: A DT exercise program improved balance and coordination, but not cognition or memory, in healthy, independent-living older adults.

Background/objectives: Adherence to exercise programs is required to reap their established benefits and to sustain Quality of Life (QoL). This study explored People Living with Dementia's (PLWD) adherence to a Tai Chi exercise program and its effects on their QoL. The study included assessment of factors affecting adherence to a Tai Chi exercise intervention, causes of nonadherence, and effect of adherence on PLWD's QoL.

Methods: This study was part of a randomized controlled trial where 41 community-dwelling PLWD received a Tai Chi exercise intervention in addition to usual care for 20 weeks. The measures used in this study included PLWD's QoL, global cognitive function, moderate physical activity, intention and confidence to attend classes, record of PLWD's and their carers' health conditions, and percentages of PLWD's Tai Chi class attendance and home practice during the intervention phase. Multiple linear regression, bivariate correlation, and independent sample t-test analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between these variables.

Results: PLWD's overall percentage of class attendance, M (SD) = 69.19 (29.95), demonstrated high adherence. Moreover, QoL of highly adherent PLWD was significantly higher than low adherents. Among all variables, PLWD's and carers' health conditions (β = -0.64; p < .001, β = -0.38; p < .001, respectively) were the dominating factors that reduced PLWD's Tai Chi adherence, while PLWD's moderate physical activity at baseline (β = 0.27; p = .02) was significant positive predictor. Significance/Implications: PLWD's and their carers' health issues must be addressed to enhance PLWD's exercise adherence and sustain good QoL.

Background/objective:  Beta-alanine supplementation increases muscle carnosine content and also improves exercise capacity and performance in young adults, with mixed findings emerging from the few studies investigating its effects on older participants. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the evidence regarding the effects of beta-alanine on exercise capacity, muscle strength, and functional performance of older adults.

Methods:  This systematic review was conducted following the specific methodological guidelines of the Preferred Report Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Furthermore, the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool was used. The search was carried out in five relevant databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) from inception up to March 2024.

Results:  Of the 1,749 registers identified, only five met the established criteria and were included in this systematic review. A total of 163 older adults (mean age ± SD: 69.1 ± 2.8 years; range: 66.2-72.7 years) were included across all five studies. The majority of studies included participants from both genders. The mean intervention duration ± SD was 11.7 ± 1.0 weeks. The mean daily dosage was 2.7 ± 0.4 g/day (range: 2.4-3.2 g/day).

Conclusion:  Overall, exercise capacity may be improved following supplementation protocols with dosages ranging from 2.4 to 3.2 g/day. Muscle strength and functional performance do not seem to be improved by beta-alanine since these tasks are not significantly impacted by acidosis buildup.

This systematic review aims to identify the effectiveness of digital health applications (apps) to increase physical activity (PA) or prevent malnutrition in community-dwelling older adults. Searches were conducted in June 2023 across seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica database, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and grey literature were searched via google scholar. Data from studies that met the inclusion criteria were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed, and the quality of evidence was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Meta-analyses were undertaken where appropriate using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model (Stata version 16.1), or data were described narratively. Twenty-seven studies met the eligibility criteria, although 23 of these had low or unclear risk of bias. Twelve studies considered PA outcomes only, two studies considered nutritional outcomes only, and three studies considered both PA and nutritional components. A meta-analysis comprising six studies (818 participants) showed that those using a digital health app had a higher step count compared with participants in the control group (mean difference = 799, 95% CI [48.76, 1550.08]). Studies looking at nutritional outcomes aimed to increase protein intake or adherence to dietary patterns with mixed findings. Digital health apps have the potential to increase PA in community-dwelling older adults. Digital health app interventions that aim to reduce the risk of malnutrition in older adults is a relatively unexplored area with mixed findings, so more high-quality studies should be prioritized.

Background/objectives: A globally aging population necessitates public health action that supports healthy aging. Although it is well established that participation in physical activity (PA), sport, and active recreation are important for healthy aging, PA levels remain generally lower among older adults. This study examines trends in physical activities that older adults engage in and identifies disparities in activities across subgroups as defined by age, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Methods: Data from two New South Wales survey data sets (New South Wales Population Health Survey and AusPlay) investigated patterns and trends of PA, sport, and active recreation between 2016 and 2021 among adults aged 65+ years. Weighted prevalence estimates of meeting PA guidelines (≥150 min/week of moderate to vigorous PA), weekly minutes spent walking and doing moderate to vigorous PA, and annual participation rates in specific activities were calculated as weighted proportions. Multivariable logistic regression models included age, gender, and socioeconomic status as independent variables.

Results: Between 2016 and 2021, the proportion of older adults meeting PA guidelines increased (37.8%-51.3%). Adults aged 75+ years, older men, and those living in the least disadvantaged areas experienced greater increases in moderate to vigorous PA.

Conclusions: Older adults' reported PA levels have increased in recent years, highlighting opportunities to prioritize PA promotion in the global agenda to support healthy and active aging. Significance/Implications: This study offers insights into recent trends and noteworthy increases in PA, sport, and active recreation among older Australian adults. These can assist policymakers in developing, evaluating, and implementing population-wide strategies to maintain improved activity levels.