Positive Association of Physical Activity with Both Objective and Perceived Measures of the Neighborhood Environment among Older Adults: The Aichi Workers' Cohort Study.

Yuanying Li,Koji Tamakoshi,Chifa Chiang,Rei Otsuka,Atsuko Aoyama,Chiyoe Murata,Tomoya Hanibuchi,Atsuhiko Ota,Yoshihisa Hirakawa,Hiroshi Yatsuya,Hisao Naito,Mayu Uemura

doi:10.3390/ijerph17217971

Abstract

We examined the association between objective and perceived neighborhood characteristics and self-reported leisure-time physical activity (PA) in older Japanese residents living in areas ranging from metropolitan to rural in 2016. Objective measures used were walkability and the numbers of parks/green spaces and sports facilities within 500 or 1000 m of subjects’ homes, calculated using geographic information systems. Subjective measures were the subjects’ perceptions of their neighborhoods, assessed using a structured questionnaire. All variables were divided into three groups, and the lowest tertile was used as the reference. We assessed the location and frequency of strolling or brisk walking, moderate-intensity PA, and vigorous-intensity PA (sports) using a self-reported questionnaire and defined as performing a certain type of PA 3–4 times/week as a habit. Living in a neighborhood in the highest tertile for walkability and number of parks/green spaces as well as perception of having good access to recreational facilities, observing others exercising and the presence of walkable sidewalks was associated with walking and sports habits (multivariable odds ratios (ORs): 1.33–2.46, all p < 0.05). Interestingly, objective measures of PA-friendly environmental features were inversely associated with moderate-intensity PA habits, potentially because moderate-intensity PA consisted predominantly of gardening. In conclusion, living in an environment supportive of PA, whether objectively or subjectively measured, is related to leisure-time PA habits among older Japanese adults.

Highlights

The benefits of regular physical activity (PA) are well established, ; a large proportion of the world’s population does not meet the current recommendations for adequate PA, especially among older adults [1,2,3]
Based on the 2015 Japanese Census, the Aichi prefecture consists of 7.48 million people with a density of people/km2, and the percentage of individuals 65 years or older is 23.8%, lower than the national average of 26.7% [11]
The mean age was similar for men and women: 67.9 (3.8) and 67.6 (4.0), respectively

Summary

Introduction

The benefits of regular physical activity (PA) are well established, ; a large proportion of the world’s population does not meet the current recommendations for adequate PA, especially among older adults [1,2,3]. Improving PA through exercise is of greater relevance to older adults, as moderateto vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) substantially decreases after retirement [4]. The residential neighborhood may be important for older adults, as they spend more time around the home. Older adults are more vulnerable to mobility barriers due to a generally decreased physical function compared to their younger counterparts. A recent meta-analysis [5] comprehensively evaluated a variety of environmental features in relation to PA in older adults; the majority of the studies were conducted in Western countries. Considering that city designs, and social norms may differ substantially between countries, findings derived from Western countries may not be fully generalizable to other locations

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Discussion

Conclusion