Abstract
Background: Multimorbidity is a common issue in aging societies and is usually associated with dementia in older people. Physical activity (PA) may be a beneficial nonpharmacological strategy for patients with complex health needs. However, insufficient PA is predominant in this population. Thus, there is an evident need to expand the knowledge on potential determinants influencing PA engagement among elderly persons at risk of dementia and multimorbidity. Methods: We used baseline data from the multicenter, cluster-randomized controlled AgeWell.de study. The main aim was to describe PA engagement and identify potential PA determinants in a sample of community-dwelling Germans aged 60–77 years old with an increased risk of dementia and multimorbidity. Results: Of the 1030 included participants, approximately half (51.8%) engaged in PA ≥2 times/week for at least 30 min at baseline. We identified self-efficacy (beta = 0.202, (p < 0.001) and BMI (beta = −0.055, (p < 0.001) as potential PA determinants. Conclusions: The identified determinants, self-efficacy, and BMI are consistent with those reported in the literature. Specific knowledge on PA determinants and stages of change in persons with risk of dementia and multimorbidity might guide the development of effective future prevention measures and health services tailored to this population. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (reference number: DRKS00013555).
Highlights
In developed countries such as Germany, demographic aging has changed disease trends for delayed degenerative diseases and the presence of multiple health problems, known as multimorbidity [1,2]
This study aimed to describe Physical activity (PA) engagement based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) stages of change and self-efficacy [37], determine its relationship to other patient characteristics, and identify potential PA determinants in a sample of community-dwelling Germans aged between 60 and 77 years at increased dementia risk with multimorbidity
The AgeWell.de study, the first lifestyle trial to prevent cognitive decline in Germany, contributes relevant evidence to the growing field of dementia prevention based on risk factor modifications, physical inactivity
Summary
In developed countries such as Germany, demographic aging has changed disease trends for delayed degenerative diseases and the presence of multiple health problems, known as multimorbidity [1,2]. Multimorbidity is commonly defined as the presence of two or more chronic diseases or conditions. A recent cross-sectional study in Germany showed that of 123,224 participants, 62.1% of those aged 65 years and older were multimorbid, as measured by the presence of three chronic diseases from the 46-item checklist [3]. Multimorbidity is often associated with dementia in the elderly population [4]. Patients with dementia aged 65 years or older suffer from 4.6 accompanying chronic diseases [5]. Multimorbidity is a common issue in aging societies and is usually associated with dementia in older people. There is an evident need to expand the knowledge on potential determinants influencing PA engagement among elderly persons at risk of dementia and multimorbidity. The main aim was to describe PA engagement and identify potential PA determinants in a sample of community-dwelling Germans aged
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