life expectancy of older adults, it has been shown to reduce the development of chronic disease, cognitive and physical function impairment, disability, and risk of mortality. 3 – 7 Findings from national population-based studies show that the proportion of older adults meeting the walking activity
Search Results
Walking Activity and Physical Function Among Mexican American Older Adults Over 9 Years of Follow Up
Nicholas Tahmassi and Soham Al Snih
Physical Activity, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Psychosocial Functioning of Adults With Cerebral Palsy
Cadeyrn J. Gaskin and Tony Morris
The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationships between physical activity, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and psychosocial functioning (mood states, physical self-efficacy, social support) in adults with cerebral palsy (N = 51). The data was heavily skewed, with many participants reporting that they performed minimal physical activity and experienced low levels of physical function, minimal role limitations, high social functioning, low levels of negative mood states, and high social support. With the exception of the correlations between physical activity and physical functioning (ρ = .45), role limitations—physical (ρ = .32), vigor–activity mood state (ρ = .36), and social support from friends (ρ = –.43), there were typically weak associations between physical activity and the subscales of the HRQL and psychosocial functioning measures. These low associations might be the result of the participants’ psychological adaptations to cerebral palsy during their lives.
The Relations Between Physical Activity Level, Executive Function, and White Matter Microstructure in Older Adults
Marissa A. Gogniat, Catherine M. Mewborn, Talia L. Robinson, Kharine R. Jean, and L. Stephen Miller
, reasoning). 9 Frontal areas are implicated in higher order processing, typically referred to as executive function. 10 Executive function is an important neuropsychological construct, especially given its positive associations to functional ability in later life. 11 There is a plethora of research
Time to First Cigarette, Physical Activity, and Pulmonary Function in Middle-aged to Older Adult Smokers
Russell T. Nye, Melissa Mercincavage, and Steven A. Branstetter
Background:
How addiction severity relates to physical activity (PA), and if PA moderates the relation between PA and lung function among smokers, is unknown. This study explored the independent and interactive associations of nicotine addiction severity and PA with lung function.
Methods:
The study used cross-sectional data from 343 adult smokers aged 40 to 79 participating in the 2009–10 and 2011–12 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Assessed were the independent relations of nicotine addiction severity, as measured by the time to first cigarette (TTFC), and average daily minutes of moderate and vigorous PA with lung function ratio (FEV1/FVC). Additional analysis examined whether PA moderated the relationship between addiction severity and lung function.
Results:
Greater lung function was independently associated with moderate PA and later TTFC, but not vigorous PA, when controlling for cigarettes per day (CPD), past month smoking, ethnicity, years smoked, and gender (P-values < .05). PA did not moderate the association between addiction severity (TTFC) and lung function (P = .441).
Conclusion:
Among middle-aged to older smokers, increased PA and lower addiction severity were associated with greater lung function, independent of CPD. This may inform research into the protective role of PA and identification of risk factors for interventions.
TV Watching, but Not Physical Activity, Is Associated With Change in Kidney Function in Older Adults
Marquis Hawkins, Anne B. Newman, Magdalena Madero, Kushang V. Patel, Michael G. Shlipak, Jennifer Cooper, Kirsten L. Johansen, Sankar D. Navaneethan, Ronald I. Shorr, Eleanor M. Simonsick, and Linda F Fried
Background:
Physical activity (PA) may play a role in preserving kidney health. The purpose of this study was to determine if PA and sedentary behavior are associated with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) and change in kidney function in older adults.
Methods:
The Health, Aging, and Body Composition study is a prospective cohort of 3075 well-functioning older adults. PA and television watching was measured by self-report, and serum cystatin C was used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). CKD was defined as an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73m2. Rapid kidney function decline was defined as an annual loss in eGFR of >3ml/min/1.73m2. Discrete survival analysis was used to determine if baseline PA and television watching were related to 10-year cumulative incidence of CKD and rapid decline in kidney function.
Results:
Individuals who reported watching television >3 hours/day had a higher risk of incident CKD (HR 1.34; 95% CI, 1.09-1.65) and experiencing a rapid decline in kidney function (HR 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05-1.52) compared with individuals who watched television <2 hours/day. PA was not related to either outcome.
Conclusions:
High levels of television watching are associated with declining kidney function; the mechanisms that underlie this association need further study.
Association of Family Functioning on Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior
Paul D. Loprinzi
Objective:
High family functioning is associated with reduced depression symptoms, better academic achievement, less disordered eating, and better metabolic control among youth. However, we know very little about the role of family functioning on physical activity and sedentary behavior among youth, which was the purpose of this study.
Methods:
Data from the 2003 and 2011–2012 cycles of the National Survey of Children’s Health were used. A total of 61,226 parents/guardians from the 2003 cycle and 40,446 parents/guardians from the 2011–2012 cycle (total n = 101,672) across all 50 states and the District of Columbia were examined. Parents answered questions related to family functioning and their child’s (age 6–17 yrs) physical activity and sedentary behavior.
Results:
Results were the same across both cycles; after adjustments, youth engaged in less physical activity if the family had worse family functioning (β = −0.06, P < .001). Similarly, youth engaged in more sedentary behavior if the family had worse family functioning (β = 0.05, P < .001).
Conclusion:
This research suggests that youth are more active and engage in less sedentary behavior if their family has greater family functioning.
Replacing Sedentary Behavior With Physical Activity of Different Intensities: Implications for Physical Function, Muscle Function, and Disability in Octogenarians Living in Long-Term Care Facilities
Jesus del Pozo-Cruz, Jon Irazusta, Ana Rodriguez-Larrad, Rosa M. Alfonso-Rosa, Francisco Álvarez-Barbosa, Armando Raimundo, Soraia Ferreira, Chloe Rezola-Pardo, and Borja del Pozo Cruz
Maintenance of physical function is critical for preventing loss of functional status and independence of older adults. 1 , 2 Skeletal muscle function is especially relevant. 3 Thus, a decline in muscle performance is one of the strongest predictors of poor functional status and higher risk of
Resistance Training Congruent With Minimal Guidelines Improves Function in Older Adults: A Pilot Study
Keith P. Gennuso, Kathryn Zalewski, Susan E. Cashin, and Scott J. Strath
Background:
To examine the effectiveness of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) resistance training (RT) guidelines to improve physical function and functional classification in older adults with reduced physical abilities.
Methods:
Twenty-five at-risk older adults were randomized to a control (CON = 13) or 8-week resistance training intervention arm (RT = 12). Progressive RT included 8 exercises for 1 set of 10 repetitions at a perceived exertion of 5–6 performed twice a week. Individuals were assessed for physical function and functional classification change (low, moderate or high) by the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and muscle strength measures.
Results:
Postintervention, significant differences were found between groups for SPPB—Chair Stand [F(1,22) = 9.14, P < .01, η = .29] and SPPB—Total Score [F(1,22) = 7.40, P < .05, η = .25]. Functional classification was improved as a result of the intervention with 83% of participants in the RT group improving from low to moderate functioning or moderate to high functioning. Strength significantly improved on all exercises in the RT compared with the CON group.
Conclusions:
A RT program congruent with the current ASCM and AHA guidelines is effective to improve overall physical function, functional classification, and muscle strength for older adults with reduced physical abilities.
Physical Activity and Physical Function in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis
Elizabeth Chmelo, Barbara Nicklas, Cralen Davis, Gary D. Miller, Claudine Legault, and Stephen Messier
Purpose:
To assess correlates of physical activity, and to examine the relationship between physical activity and physical functioning, in 160 older (66 ± 6 years old), overweight/obese (mean body mass index = 33.5 ± 3.8 kg/m2), sedentary (less than 30 mins of activity, 3 days a week) individuals with knee osteoarthritis.
Methods:
Physical activity was measured with accelerometers and by self-report. Physical function was assessed by 6-min walk distance, knee strength, and the Short Physical Performance Battery. Pain and perceived function were measured by questionnaires. Pearson correlations and general linear models were used to analyze the relationships.
Results:
The mean number of steps taken per day was 6209 and the average PAEE was 237 ± 124 kcal/day. Participants engaged in 131 ± 39 minutes of light physical activity (LPA) and 10.6 ± 8.9 minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MPA/VPA). Total steps/day, PAEE, and minutes of MPA/VPA were all negatively correlated with age. The 6-min walk distance and lower extremity function were better in those who had higher total steps/day, higher PAEE, higher minutes of MPA/VPA, and a higher PASE score.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that a population who has higher levels of spontaneous activity have better overall physical function than those who engage in less activity.
Sedentary Time, Physical Activity, and Executive Function in a Longitudinal Study of Youth
Eric E. Wickel
Background:
This study examined associations between sedentary time, physical activity (PA), and executive function among youth participating in the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development.
Methods:
Sedentary time and PA (light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA)) were objectively assessed at 9 and 15 years, while executive function (inhibition, working memory, and fluid intelligence) were assessed at 15 years. Regression models were used to examine associations.
Results:
Sedentary time at 9 years predicted fluid intelligence at 15 years (B = 0.031), whereas increased sedentary time from 9 to 15 years predicted higher inhibition (B = 0.003), working memory (B = 0.074), and fluid intelligence (B = 0.029). Relatively lower levels of working memory at 15 years were predicted from increased levels of light PA, moderate PA, and MVPA from 9 to 15 years (B = –0.075, –0.293, and –0.173, respectively). At 15 years, inhibition, working memory, and fluid intelligence were significantly associated with sedentary time (B = 0.003, 0.055, and 0.045, respectively).
Conclusions:
Childhood sedentary time and PA may affect executive function at 15 years; however, prospective studies are needed to examine the concurrent change in both sedentary time and PA with executive function.
