Dataset Information

Associations between older adults' physical fitness level and their engagement in different types of physical activity: cross-sectional results from the OUTDOOR ACTIVE study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe the prevalence of different types of physical activities and to explore the association between engagement in these physical activities and performance in the physical fitness dimensions among older adults living in Bremen, Germany.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Twelve subdistricts in Bremen, Germany.

Participants

1583 non-institutionalised adults aged 65-75 years residing in one of the 12 subdistricts in Bremen, Germany (53.1% female).

Primary outcome measures

Level of physical fitness in five dimensions: handgrip strength (hand dynamometry), lower muscle strength (30 s-chair stand test), aerobic endurance (2 min-step test), lower body flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and upper body flexibility (back scratch test); classified using normative values.

Results

In this study population, home-based activities (housework, gardening) and activities for transport (walking, cycling) were performed by nearly all the participants, while leisure activities were less prevalent. Logistic regression revealed a positive association between being in or over norm in handgrip strength with cycling (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.15), hiking/running (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.16) and other sports (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.37 to 7.56). Lower muscle strength was positively related to cycling (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.37 to 2.65), gym training (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.16 to 2.26) and dancing (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.00 to 4.61). Aerobic endurance was positively associated with cycling (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.37 to 2.65), gym training (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.20 to 2.36), aerobics (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.26), dancing (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.10 to 6.22) and ball sports (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.30 to 3.29). Apart from housework and upper body flexibility (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.78), flexibility dimensions did not show any significant associations.

Conclusions

While muscle strength dimensions and aerobic endurance were associated with several physical activities, flexibility dimensions were associated with none of the investigated activities apart from housework. Especially cycling and leisure activities (eg, hiking/ running, gym training, aerobics, dancing) showed great potential for sustaining and increasing physical fitness in older age.

SUBMITTER: Albrecht BM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10069498 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Associations between older adults' physical fitness level and their engagement in different types of physical activity: cross-sectional results from the OUTDOOR ACTIVE study.

Albrecht Birte Marie BM Stalling Imke I Recke Carina C Doerwald Friederike F Bammann Karin K

BMJ open 20230329 3

<h4>Objectives</h4>To describe the prevalence of different types of physical activities and to explore the association between engagement in these physical activities and performance in the physical fitness dimensions among older adults living in Bremen, Germany.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional study.<h4>Setting</h4>Twelve subdistricts in Bremen, Germany.<h4>Participants</h4>1583 non-institutionalised adults aged 65-75 years residing in one of the 12 subdistricts in Bremen, Germany (53.1% female). ...[more]

PMID: 36990489

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Dataset Information

Associations between older adults' physical fitness level and their engagement in different types of physical activity: cross-sectional results from the OUTDOOR ACTIVE study.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Primary outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Associations between older adults' physical fitness level and their engagement in different types of physical activity: cross-sectional results from the OUTDOOR ACTIVE study.

Similar Datasets

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