Physical Activity In Older People Research Articles

Prevalence and incidence of sarcopenia and low physical activity among community-dwelling older Thai people: a preliminary prospective cohort study 2-year follow-up.

BackgroundSarcopenia, defined as a loss of muscle mass, has become a major health problem in older people. Few prospective studies report the incidence and risk of sarcopenia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the prevalence of sarcopenia at the baseline and follow-up after 2 years in community-dwelling older Thai individuals.MethodsIn 2019, 330 older people were recruited from a community-dwelling population, and these participants were requested to present again in 2021. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the criteria for the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). All participants were asked to perform a 6-meter walk test, handgrip strength test, and bioelectric impedance assessment, and complete the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.ResultsThe study found that the prevalence of sarcopenia was 65 (19.70%) in 330 older people in 2019, and 44 of 205 participants (21.46%) were reported to have sarcopenia after 2 years. The incidence of sarcopenia was noted to be 2.44% in 2021. Analysis with ANOVA and pairwise comparisons showed that the reversibility of sarcopenia was attributed to high level of physical activity in the 2-year follow-up group (p = 0.014, 95% CI [−1753.25–−195.49]). Further, participants with moderate and high physical activity had a reduced incidence of sarcopenia (odds ratio = 9.00 and 14.47, respectively). Therefore, low physical activity in older people led to the development of sarcopenia from the baseline to the 2-year follow-up, indicating that increased physical activity may be useful in reversing sarcopenia, as suggested in the 2-year follow-up study. Low physical activity could be a risk factor for the incidence of sarcopenia. Hence, the prevention of sarcopenia could promote health improvement through moderate to high physical activity.

The effects of social isolation due to COVID-19 on the fear of movement, falling, and physical activity in older people.

ObjectiveThis study investigates the interaction between fear of movement, fall risk, and physical activity levels in ageing individuals who experienced social isolation during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsIn this descriptive and cross‐sectional study, 254 eligible participants used an online background survey. Individuals’ fear of movement was evaluated by the kinesiophobia causes scale, fall risk by the falls efficacy scale, and physical activity levels by the physical activity scale for the ageing.ResultsThe fear of movement had a significant positive interaction on fall risk (β = 0.471, R 2 = 0.495, p < 0.001). The fall risk had a negative effect on physical activity (β = −1.686, R 2 = 0.161, p < 0.001). The fear of movement and fall risk explained 15.6% of the change in physical activity levels of ageing individuals (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThese results showed a significant interaction between physical activity levels and fear of movement, with a high fall risk in ageing individuals during the pandemic period.

Promoting exercise in older people to support healthy ageing.

As people in the UK continue to live longer, the concept of healthy ageing has become increasingly important. Regular exercise that is appropriate for the ability of each individual can have several benefits for older people, such as slowing the loss of muscle mass, increasing aerobic capacity, maintaining cognitive function and improving health-related quality of life. This article explores the benefits of various forms of exercise and physical activity in older people, and offers practical advice that can assist nurses in supporting a person-centred approach to this aspect of care.

To see, meet and adapt \u2013 an interview study about physiotherapists\u2019 pedagogical approach to dementia

BackgroundPhysiotherapists need to use pedagogical approaches and strategies in their work. However, there is no previous definition of what a pedagogical approach in physiotherapy means neither in general nor specifically to dementia. The purpose of this study was therefore to gain greater insight into physiotherapists’ pedagogical approach to dementia by investigating physiotherapists’ views and working methods in contact with older people with dementia, relatives, and nursing staff in elderly care.MethodsThis was a qualitative study with an inductive approach. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 15 physiotherapists with experience of working with older people with dementia in elderly care. The interviews were analyzed with qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe term “pedagogical approach” could sometimes be experienced as “vague” or “hard to grasp”. Our research nonetheless identified one overarching theme To see, meet and adapt which is based on insights from the interviews grouped in to five categories. This theme can be seen as an expression of the physiotherapists’ pedagogical approach in contact with older people with dementia, relatives, and nursing staff. It captures the participants’ desire to always see the person in front of them, meet them where they are and adapt their own way of working accordingly. Creating a trusting relationship was described as important and made it easier for the participants to adapt their working methods. The participants’ adaptations could apply to the way they communicated with people with dementia, and how they organized tutoring/education of relatives and nursing staff to maximize learning. Learning through experience and reflection was described as a key to advancing the pedagogical approach and the participants experienced their own learning as constantly ongoing.ConclusionsThis study provides increased understanding into physiotherapists’ pedagogical approach in contact with older people with dementia, relatives, and nursing staff in elderly care and shows that learning through experience and reflection can contribute to the development of the pedagogical approach. Thus, opportunity for reflection should be accommodated in the physiotherapists’ work. The importance of more pedagogical education for physiotherapists both in bachelor and master level were also highlighted. Increasing mobility and physical activity in older people with dementia is important since physical inactivity and sedentary behavior is common. Future research may be directed at further exploring physiotherapists’ pedagogical approach in tutoring/education of nursing staff, with the aim of increasing physical activity among older people with dementia.

Meta-Analysis: Effectiveness of Web-Based Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Older People

Background: The increasing global population of older people and the trend of life expectancy make the discussion of physical activity an urgent urgency, given its role in preventing various non-communicable diseases and increasing life expectancy. Web-based intervention is believed to be an intervention that can change habits related to physical activity in older people. This study aimed to find out whether web-based intervention is effective in increasing physical activity for older people. Subjects and Method: This research is a meta-analysis based on the PRISMA flow diagram. The article search process is carried out through journal databases, in the form of: Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate. Keywords to search for articles are: "Aged" OR "older adult" OR "elderly" AND "Exercise" OR "exercise" OR "physical activity" OR "physical activities" OR "physical exercise" OR " physical exercises" OR "physical fitness" AND "Internet-Based Intervention" OR "internet-based interventions" OR "web-based interventions" OR "web-based interventions" OR "online interventions" OR “internet intervention” OR “mobile health” OR “mhealth” OR “tele­health” OR “ehealth” AND “randomized control trials” OR “randomized control trials” OR “RCT”. The articles included are study design randomized control trial (RCT), articles with research subjects older people aged 50 years and over, and the intervention used is web-based intervention. Articles that meet the criteria are then analyzed using the Revman 5.3 application. Results: A total of 9 articles were found from the Netherlands, Spain, England, Belgium, and Sweden. The data collected showed that web-based intervention increase physical activity in older people, and it was statistically significant (SMD= 0.78; 95% CI=0.15 to 1.41; p= 0.020). Conclusion: Web-based intervention is effective for increasing physical activity for older people who are more than 50 years old. Keywords: web-based intervention, physical activity, older people, meta analysis. Correspondence: Gina Fazrina. Study Program of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences Cirebon. Jl. Brigjen Dharsono No. 12B ByPass Cirebon 45153, West Java, Indonesia. Email: ginafazrina@gmail.com. Mobile: +681212533833. Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior, (2022), 07(01): 55-66 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2021.07.01.06

Make Movement Your Mission: Evaluation of an online digital health initiative to increase physical activity in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ObjectiveTo formatively evaluate the Make Movement Your Mission (MMYM) digital health initiative to promote physical activity (PA) levels and help avert the negative consequences of sedentary behaviours in older adults during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic.MethodsMixed-method study to explore activity levels, changes in physical function and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), quality-of-life, social engagement, technology use, and accessibility. Survey data were analysed descriptively. Qualitative interviews were analysed using framework analysis.ResultsForty-one respondents completed the survey (Mean age 68.4 (8.9) years; 34 Female), 68% aged ≥ 65 years. Average attendance was 14.3 sessions per week (3.5 h). 73% had been with MMYM for >1 year, 90% reported they were engaging in more movement on a typical day, and 75% reported improvement in ability to perform moderate PA. Since starting MMYM, participation in activities targeting strength, balance and flexibility increased (by 48%, 73% and 75%, respectively). 83% met strength and 90% balance PA guidelines for health (≥ 2x per week). Between 18% and 53% of respondents reported improvements in ADLs, 53% reported better quality-of-life, and 28% increased use of the internet.Eight participants were interviewed (Mean age 70.7 (6.7) years; 7 Female). Activity levels were promoted by having direct support from the instructor through Facebook messages pre and post live sessions, having group expectation about quality and level of engagement, having a sense of control and encouragement from others, MMYMs regularity, choice around level of engagement and accessibility. Noticing short-term outcomes in balance and posture helped boost confidence and continued participation.ConclusionClinical trials need to robustly assess its effectiveness and acceptability.

Research on the Difference Between Recreational Walking and Transport Walking Among the Elderly in Mega Cities With Different Density Zones: The Case of Guangzhou City.

Walking is the easiest method of physical activity for older people, and current research has demonstrated that the built environment is differently associated with recreational and transport walking. This study modelled the environmental characteristics of three different building density zones in Guangzhou city at low, medium, and high densities, and examined the differences in walking among older people in the three zones. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to investigate the recreational and transport walking time of older people aged 65 years and above for the past week, for a total of three density zones (N = 597) and was analysed as a dependent variable. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to identify 300, 500, 800, and 1,000 m buffers and to assess differences between recreational and transport walking in terms of the built environment [e.g., land-use mix, street connectivity, Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data]. The data were processed and validated using the SPSS software to calculate Pearson's correlation models and stepwise regression models between recreation and transit walking and the built environment. The results found that land use mix and NDVI were positively correlated with transport walking in low-density areas and that transport walking was negatively correlated with roadway mediated centrality (BtE) and Point-of-Interest (PoI) density. Moreover, recreational walking in medium density areas was negatively correlated with self-rated health, road intersection density, and PoI density while positively correlated with educational attainment, population density, land use mix, street connectivity, PoIs density, and NDVI. Transport walking was negatively correlated with land-use mix, number of road crossings while positively correlated with commercial PoI density. Street connectivity, road intersection density, DNVI, and recreational walking in high-density areas showed negative correlations. Moreover, the built environment of older people in Guangzhou differed between recreational and transport walking at different densities. The richness of PoIs has different effects on different types of walking.

Immersive Virtual Reality Exergame Promotes the Practice of Physical Activity in Older People: An Opportunity during COVID-19

Life expectancy has increased in recent years. Physical activity has been postulated as a key element in active aging strategies. However, adherence to physical exercise programs has traditionally been low among the elderly, and the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has added extra impediments. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) devices could motivate this population to practice exercise. This study aimed to analyse the use of IVR exergames as a tool to facilitate physical exercise in older people. Four healthy older adults (males, 65–77 years) participated in the study. They carried out two exergaming sessions with HTC Vive ProTM. Outcomes were evaluated using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), System Usability Scale (SUS), Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ post-game module), an ad hoc satisfaction questionnaire, and perceived effort. All participants completed the sessions without adverse effects, with no SSQ symptoms reported. SUS scores were high in both sessions (SUS &gt; 85/100). Post-game GEQ scores were 3.08–3.41/4 (positive experiences) and 0.08–0.16/4 (negative experiences). Opinions showed high levels of satisfaction with the experience. Exergaming programs, based on commercial head-mounted displays, are a feasible alternative to traditional senior exercise, and could be a solution to the current situation that has arisen from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effect of Exercise and Learning Therapy on Cognitive Functions and Physical Activity of Older People with Dementia in Indonesia.

Background This study aims to analyze the effect of exercise and learning therapy on the cognitive functions and daily physical activities of older people with dementia in Indonesia. Methods This was an experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. Samples were selected using nonrandom sampling methods and were then randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The study population was older people with mild-to-moderate dementia, and the sample number was 90 people. The intervention group received an Indonesian physical exercise program for older people and reading therapy through 12 sessions over four weeks. The intervention was led by a community health volunteer who has been trained and certified. Results The mean score for cognitive function in the intervention group showed significant increase between pre- and postintervention, with p value < 0.001, and there was no significant difference in the control group before and after intervention, with ap value of 0.198. Further, the Mann–Whitney test showed that there were significant differences in the mean scores for cognitive function between the intervention and control groups with p value < 0.001 and a 95% confidence level. Conclusion Based on the results, the Indonesian older people exercise program and reading aloud activity had a positive effect on the cognitive function of older people with dementia.

The ENJOY Project: Usage and Factors to Support Adherence and Physical Activity Participation

ABSTRACT Objectives Long-term engagement and participation in physical activity by older adults in the general population is poor. The Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY for older people (the ENJOY project) is a community-based research project utilizing an outdoor Seniors Exercise Park that demonstrated increased physical activity level as well as physical and mental health benefits. This study aims to explore participants’ perceptions about barriers and facilitators to ongoing participation as well as the usage pattern of the Seniors Exercise Park. Method People aged ≥60 yr underwent a 12-wk structured supervised physical activity program using outdoor exercise park equipment followed by a 6-month maintenance phase. Participants completed two surveys: at the completion of the 12-wk structured supervised program and at the completion of the 6-month maintenance phase. Access to the Seniors Exercise Park was also electronically monitored during the maintenance phase. Results The social aspect (60%), health benefits/improvement (41.5%), and supervision (36.9%) were the most cited factors in positively supporting participation, with 60.8% continued using the Exercise Park regularly during the maintenance phase. The main barriers to continued usage for both regular users and nonusers included other commitments (71.4%), the weather (60.7%), and medical/health problems (42.8%). Conclusions The Seniors Exercise Park can be utilized to promote sustainable engagement in physical activity for older people. However, future implementation strategies should consider approaches to overcome barriers for participation. Trial registration number: ACTRN12618001727235.

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE)

BackgroundOld age is associated with reduced physical ability. It is necessary to measure and evaluate the physical activity of older people. Implementing appropriate requires a valid and reliable tool. Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) is the frequently used self-reported physical activity assessment for older adults. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the translation validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly.MethodsThis study is a methodological, descriptive applied research was conducted on 300 older people. The translation process of the English version of PASE into Persian was carried out according to the process of translation and adaptation of scale recommended by the World Health Organization. The reliability of the scale was examined by calculating the Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The reliability and validity of the scale were evaluated by following the “Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instruments” (COSMIN) checklist. To assess the face and content validity, impact score (IS), the content validity ratio (CVR), and the content validity index (CVI) were determined. A confirmatory factor analysis was also performed.ResultsThe experts approved the quality of the Persian version of PASE. The reliability was calculated with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94, an ICC of 0.99, and a test-retest correlation coefficient of 0.94. The qualitative and quantitative face validity of all questions by expert judgment and IS of greater than 1.5 was considered. Also, CVR and CVI scores of all questions were higher than 0.6 and 0.79, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good fit for the original three-factor structure.ConclusionsThe Persian or Farsi version of PASE was shown to have acceptable validity and reliability. This tool is suitable for measuring the physical activity level in the Persian elderly language special in clinical environments and therapeutic interventions.

Challenges and lessons learnt from the ENJOY project: recommendations for future collaborative research implementation framework with local governments for improving the environment to promote physical activity for older people

BackgroundThe physical environment has been shown to have a positive effect on the promotion of physical activity of older people. Outdoor environments that incorporate specialised exercise equipment suitable for older people are uniquely placed to promote physical activity and social connectedness amongst older people. The ENJOY project included the installation of specialised outdoor exercise equipment (the Seniors Exercise Park) and the delivery of a physical and social activity program for older people as part of a prospective pre-post research design. The installation of the specialised equipment in public sites and an aged care facility was also aimed at increasing usage of the equipment by older people from the wider community and to increase physical and social activities.MethodA conceptual framework for implementation and several engagement methods were utilised to guide the research and to support the participating partners throughout the project. This paper is a reflective narrative describing the collaborative process and approach utilised to engage local governments and community, and reports the challenges and the lessons learnt to inform future strategies for implementation.ResultsThe conceptual framework for the implementation process that guided the conduct and delivery of the ENJOY project included the core elements of the Interactive Systems Framework and the ecologic framework. These models incorporate elements of research-to-practice and community-centred implementation to accommodate the unique perspectives of a range of stakeholders.ConclusionPartner characteristics such as local governments’ structure and policy as well as community factors can impact on implementation. Partnership with local governments with effective communication, strategic planning and community and seniors engagement approaches are recommended for successful implementation. The lessons learnt can further assist public health research design around changes to the built environment to positively impact on older people’s physical activity levels.Trial registrationTrial registration number ACTRN12618001727235. Date of registration 19th October 2018, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375979

Review of Ecological Approach Factors Affecting Physical Activity among Older People.

This review aimed to investigate factors affecting physical activity among older people at the individual, social, and environmental levels based on an ecological approach. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Korean databases to identify all relevant studies that examined physical activity of older people using an ecological approach. Individual factors included socio-demographic characteristics, physical function components, and subjective health perceptions. Social factors included intimate relationships and social support. Environmental factors included physical living conditions, movement-related components, and policies and programs that affect the environment. This review analyzed the factors affecting physical activity of older people in three levels based on the ecological approach. This result provides a basis for managing, preventing, and promoting physical activity in older people based on an ecological approach and highlights the importance of environmental factors for improving physical activity among older people when applying foundational data for health prevention and management.

Active Travel and Mild Cognitive Impairment among Older Adults from Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Active travel may be an easily achievable form of physical activity for older people especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but there are currently no studies on how this form of physical activity is associated with a preclinical state of dementia known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between active travel and MCI among adults aged ≥50 years from six LMICs. Cross-sectional, community-based data from the World Health Organization’s Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health were analyzed. The definition of MCI was based on the National Institute on Ageing-Alzheimer’s Association criteria. Active travel (minutes/week) was assessed with questions of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and presented in tertiles. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between active travel and MCI. Data on 32715 people aged ≥50 years (mean age 62.4 years; 52.1% females) were analyzed. Compared to the highest tertile of active travel, the lowest tertile was associated with 1.33 (95%CI = 1.14–1.54) times higher odds for MCI overall. This association was particularly pronounced among those aged ≥65 years (OR = 1.70; 95%CI = 1.32–2.19) but active travel was not associated with MCI among those aged 50–64 years. In conclusion, low levels of active travel were associated with a significantly higher odds of MCI in adults aged ≥65 years in LMICs. Promoting active travel among people of this age group in LMICs via tailored interventions and/or country-wide infrastructure investment to provide a safe environment for active travel may lead to a reduction in MCI and subsequent dementia.

'Everyone's so kind and jolly it boosts my spirits, if you know what I mean': A humanising perspective on exercise programme participation.

Maintaining a physically active lifestyle across the life course can add to an individual's health and well-being. Many people are insufficiently active to achieve these gains with a trend towards further decreases in activity as people age. Community-based group exercise programmes have been shown to be one means of increasing sustained activity levels for older people. To understand how and why older people sustain participation to community-based group exercise programmes from a humanising perspective. A multiple-case study approach was employed to study three exercise programmes in the South-West of England. Data were collected through participant observation, focus groups and documentation. Data were analysed with deductive thematic analysis and mapped against the humanisation framework. Findings suggest that the humanising nature of these particular exercise programmes supported sustained participation. In these programmes, agency was evidenced in the way participants self-selected their level of exertion with exercises. There was freedom to be their unique selves and exercise within the limits of their insider challenges of an ageing body. Through this non-judgemental exercise environment, there was an embodied understanding of who they were as people. The exercise programme became part of their personal journey. This journey helped inform their future by enabling them to keep active and maintain independence, allowing them to continue engaging in the world. There was a sense of togetherness and belonging which led to feelings of homeliness as they found a sense of place within the group. The friendships they formed helped them make sense and add meaning to their experiences and personal health challenges. When planning exercise environments to support the long-term adoption of a sustained behaviour change, in the form of physical activity for older people, it is helpful to consider dimensions that make an individual feel human.

Heterogeneity in physical activity participation of older adults: A latent class analysis

Participation in leisure and transport-related physical activities is generally viewed as the main means of increasing overall physical activity levels of older adults. The success of any intervention strategy depends on how well the strategy fits older people's physical activity patterns. This study therefore examines heterogeneity in physical activity patterns of older adults and the relationships between these patterns and socio-demographic and neighborhood environmental characteristics. This is done using a latent class multinomial logit model based on one-week diary data collected on 363 Dalian Chinese older adults aged 60 and over in 2017. The results show that two segments of physical activity patterns of older adults can be identified: leisure physical activities oriented and both transport-related and leisure physical activities oriented. Age, physical limitation and having grandchildren in the household have an important influence on physical activity patterns of older people. However, there are no significant relationships between physical activity patterns and various environmental characteristics, except accessibility of local shops, condition of footpaths and safety from crime. The empirical findings have implications for the development of tailored interventions to maintain or promote physical activity of older adults.

Associations between Socioeconomic Status, Social Participation, and Physical Activity in Older People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Japanese City.

Physical activity (PA) is a key determinant of health in older adults. However, little is known about the effect of social factors on PA among older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the association between socioeconomic status, social participation, and PA during the pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 999 community-dwelling residents aged 65–90 years. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic status, social participation, and PA data in August 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for the associations between socioeconomic status, social participation, and maintaining PA. For both sexes, PA was reduced by approximately 5–10% after the onset of COVID-19-related distancing restrictions. Men with a low socioeconomic status were less physically active (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.30–0.82). Women who reported social participation had higher odds of maintaining PA (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.13–2.45) during the restrictions. Higher socioeconomic status and social participation levels before the COVID-19 pandemic may have helped older adults to maintain PA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is needed to clarify the potential effects of these factors on the health of older adults.

Association between health literacy and physical activity in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Physical inactivity is common in older people and contributes to morbidity and mortality. Health literacy might play a role in motivating people to become or stay physically active. However, little is known about the influence of health literacy on physical activity in older people. This review aims to determine the association between health literacy and physical activity in older people. A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO and CENTRAL. Inclusion criteria: (i) community-dwelling people with an average age of ≥55 and (ii) reported on the association between health literacy and physical activity. Exclusion criteria: (i) population with a health condition and (ii) case study or qualitative study. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist. A meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models with inverse variance. Thirteen articles were included in the review and five articles were selected for the meta-analysis. Older people with inadequate health literacy were 38% less likely than older people with adequate health literacy to report engaging in physical activity on ≥5 days per week [odds ratio = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.77]. Only two articles used activity monitors; the mean number of steps taken per day was not significantly different between older people with adequate and inadequate health literacy (standardized mean difference = -0.15, 95% CI -0.30 to 0.01). Physical activity could potentially be fostered by increasing health literacy and empowering older people to make beneficial health decisions.

Programowanie aktywności fizycznej seniorów w lokalnej polityce społecznej

Extensive processes of aging naturally should arouse interest in local social policy wizards older people and keeping them in good health what undoubtedly contributes to physical activity. The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the extent of physical activity of older people is of interest to local government decision-makers in the process of programming of local social policy. Research methods and materials: The research was conducted on the basis of local social policy program documents, which should be compulsorily developed in each commune long-term strategies for solving social problems and (non-obligatory) local senior policy programs from the area of the Silesian Voivodeship. 155 strategies for solving social problems were analyzed (167 communes in the voivodship). Results: In the documents dominated inclusion of seniors in the diagnostic part (94 cases) and planning (85 cases) and only in the case of 11 local governments developed a separate program for senior citizens. Despite a number of indications regarding the physical activation of older people resulting from program documents undertaken at the European and national level, local documents deal with this issue marginally and it is clearly underestimated at the level of program declarations. Conclusions: Deficits in the activity of seniors at the level of program declarations seem to result from two basic factors, the lack of knowledge among the creators of local social policy, incl. social workers, who should be made sensitive to the above issues through properly profiled training, and the lack of effective lobbying which should be carried out by senior councils and non-governmental organizations.

Are the Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines Practical and Realistic for Older People With Complex Medical Issues?

The world population is aging. With increased life expectancy comes increased risk of major health problems that affect the health and well-being of older adults. Adequate levels of physical activity as specified by current global guidelines can reduce the risk of health problems in older adults. However, fewer than half of older adults are sufficiently active, and thus are unlikely to achieve these health benefits. Older adults living in residential aged care are even more sedentary, with multiple health issues and comorbidities. While meeting physical activity guidelines confers the greatest benefit for physical function, the practicality of adherence to these guidelines for older people who are not healthy and have complex medical issues is questionable. This special interest paper discusses research evidence on the topic of physical activity for older people across the health spectrum, with and without multiple comorbidities. This discussion is informed by professional experience, and suggests practical recommendations to positively impact physical activity engagement in the older adult population.