Physical Activity In Later Life Research Articles

Midlife physical activity engagement is associated with later-life brain health

The relationship between midlife physical activity (PA), and cognition and brain health in later life is poorly understood with conflicting results from previous research. Investigating the contribution of midlife PA to later-life cognition and brain health in high-risk populations will propel the development of health guidance for those most in need. The current study examined the association between midlife PA engagement and later-life cognition, grey matter characteristics and resting-state functional connectivity in older individuals at high-risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The association between midlife PA and later-life cognitive function was not significant but was moderated by later-life PA. Meanwhile, greater midlife moderate-to-vigorous PA was associated with greater grey matter surface area in the left middle frontal gyrus. Moreover, greater midlife total PA was associated with diminished functional connectivity between bilateral middle frontal gyri and middle cingulum, supplementary motor areas, and greater functional connectivity between bilateral hippocampi and right cerebellum, Crus II. These results indicate the potentially independent contribution of midlife PA to later-life brain health.

Performance and Pleasure: Exploring the Perceived Usefulness and Appeal of Physical Activity Data Visualizations with Older Adults

Wearable activity trackers hold the promise of making older adults aware of their levels of physical activity (PA), encouraging them to remain or become physically active. However, little is known about older adults’ preferences regarding data visualizations of PA, which is of concern as many of the currently implemented visualizations strongly emphasize performance. In our work, we present findings from a study (N = 44) in which we combined semi-structured interviews and an online survey to explore different approaches towards visualizing PA data for older adults. Through thematic analysis and statistical analysis, we highlight that visualizations’ perceived usefulness and appeal is individual and mediated by the lived experiences of late life, and that the potential of performance and pleasure can be leveraged to be complementary. On this basis, we discuss design opportunities for visualizations of PA data specifically addressing the needs of older adults from the perspective of PA in late life.

Earlier-life individual and spatial socioeconomic conditions and later-life physical activity.

This study investigated the association between earlier-life (before age 16) individual and spatial socioeconomic conditions and later-life (mean age 61) physical activity (PA), and the role of later-life characteristics. Contemporary and historical Census data as well as three bi-annual waves of nationally representative panel data from the Understanding America Study (N=1,981) were used. Multilevel growth curve models were estimated to address the research questions. Father's education in respondents' earlier life was positively associated with light and moderate PA in respondents' later life. Growing up in a higher-poverty area was negatively associated with moderate and vigorous later-life PA. Findings underscore the long-term ramifications of earlier-life circumstances for later-life PA. Consideration should be given to socioeconomic conditions at both individual and spatial levels over the life course to promote PA at older ages.

Physically Constructed and Socially Shaped: Sociomaterial Environment and Walking for Transportation in Later Life.

The predictive power of three intersecting environmental dimensions (built structures, social infrastructure, and social capital) on late-life walking was investigated, conceptually based on the ecological framework of place, which posits that a living environment is simultaneously a physical place, a social place, and a set of social bonds. Multilevel models were used to examine the extent to which environments, defined as interactions of the social and material environmental dimensions, reliably predicted walking for transportation among U.S. adults aged 60 years or older in the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (n = 11,180). Random intercepts representing 221 environments showed an intraclass correlation of 21%, indicating high levels of between-environment variance in walking. Social infrastructure had the highest predictive power for walking, followed by material structures and social capital. Synergistic interventions that incorporate the intersecting nature of the sociomaterial environment may be most effective in promoting physical activity in later life.

Supporting Physical Activity in Later Life: Perspectives From Older Adults

The older population, especially those living alone, is less likely to meet recommended physical activity levels than other age groups and deserves more attention in this era of population ageing. However, existing technologies for supporting physical activity have been generally poorly aligned with the needs of older adults. Reasons for such problem are manifold, including the lack of involving older adults in design and evaluation, prevalent technology-driven perspectives, and the complexity of designing behavior change technology. Therefore, this research project aims to investigate how to better design behavior change technology to support the needs of older adults living alone for physical activity, which will address four main aspects: meeting user needs, investigating the rationale of technology design, improving co-design practice, and evaluating designed technology. To this end, this project will employ a human-centered iterative design methodology and actively involve the target group in the design process to let their voices heard and incorporated in design. This research will not only contribute to a deeper understanding towards the needs and preferences of this insufficiently studied group, but also identify implications for improving co-design practices as well as design opportunities for future behavior change technology.

Mid- and Late-Life Physical Activity and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia-Free Older Adults: Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

This study examined associations between physical activity (PA) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in older adults free of dementia. This cross-sectional study included 3,222 individuals ≥70 years of age (1,655 men; mean±SD age=79.2±5.6; cognitively unimpaired, N=2,723; mild cognitive impairment, N=499) from the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. PA (taken as a presumed predictor) in midlife (i.e., when participants were 50-65 years of age) and late life (i.e., the year prior to assessment) was assessed with a self-reported, validated questionnaire; PA intensity and frequency were used to calculate composite scores. NPS (taken as presumed outcomes) were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Regression analyses included midlife and late-life PA in each model, which were adjusted for age, sex, education, apolipoprotein E ɛ4 status, and medical comorbidity. Higher late-life PA was associated with lower odds of having apathy (OR=0.89, 95% CI=0.84-0.93), appetite changes (OR=0.92, 95% CI=0.87-0.98), nighttime disturbances (OR=0.95, 95% CI=0.91-0.99), depression (OR=0.94, 95% CI=0.90-0.97), irritability (OR=0.93, 95% CI=0.89-0.97), clinical depression (OR=0.92, 95% CI=0.88-0.97), and clinical anxiety (OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.86-0.94), as well as lower BDI-II (β estimate=-0.042, 95% CI=-0.051 to -0.033) and BAI (β estimate=-0.030, 95% CI=-0.040 to -0.021) scores. Higher midlife PA was associated only with higher BDI-II scores (β estimate=0.011, 95% CI=0.004 to 0.019). Sex modified the associations between PA and NPS. Late-life PA was associated with a lower likelihood of clinical depression or anxiety and subclinical NPS. These findings need to be confirmed in a cohort study.

The long-term relation between physical activity and executive function in the Rotterdam Study.

Research on the association between physical inactivity and cognitive decline and dementia is dominated by studies with short-term follow-up, that might be biased by reverse causality. Investigate the long-term association between physical activity, cognition, and the rate of age-associated cognitive decline. We investigated the association between late-life physical activity and executive functioning and rate of decline of executive abilities during follow-up of up to 16 years, in 3553 participants of the prospective Rotterdam Study cohort. Measurement took place in 1997-1999, 2002-2004, 2009-2011, and 2014-2015. At baseline (age ± 72 years), higher levels of physical activity were associated with higher levels of executive functioning (adjusted mean difference = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.00 ; 0.06, p = 0.03). This difference remained intact up to 16 years of follow-up. The level of physical activity at baseline was unrelated to the rate of decline of executive abilities over time, in the whole group (adjusted mean difference in changetime*physical activity = 0.00, 95% CI: -0.00 ; 0.01, p = 0.31). However, stratification by APOE genotype showed that the accelerated decline of executive abilities observed in those with the ApoE-ε4 allele might be attenuated by higher levels of physical activity in late adulthood (ApoE-ε4 carriers: Btime*physical activity = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00 ; 0.01, p = 0.03). Higher levels of physical activity in late adulthood are related to higher levels of executive functioning, up to 16 years of follow-up. Accelerated decline of executive abilities observed in those with the ApoE-ε4 allele might be mitigated by higher levels of physical activity.

The Association Between Midlife Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Hearing Loss in Late Life in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Hearing loss is highly prevalent in older ages and has several health consequences. Some cardiovascular risk factors are associated with worse hearing at older ages. Still, the role of midlife leisure-time physical activity (PA) as a risk factor for hearing loss is yet to be investigated. Among 3198 participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, we investigated the associations of midlife and change from mid- to late-life PA (assessed via modified Baecke questionnaire) with hearing loss (audiometric battery [worse-ear pure-tone average, and speech-in-noise test]) at older ages. We used regression analyses, adjusted for demographics, medical conditions, and noise exposure, to estimate differences in hearing between those who met and did not meet PA recommendations at midlife and at late life. A total of 1386 (43.3%) participants met PA recommendations at midlife. These participants, compared to those who did not meet recommendations, had lower (better) pure-tone average by 1.51 (0.46, 2.55) decibels, identified 0.37 (0.01, 0.74) more words (better score) in the speech-in-noise test, and had a lower relative risk of having hearing loss at older ages (eg, relative risk ratio for severe hearing loss vs normal hearing=0.70 [0.52, 0.95]). Similarly, those who persistently met PA recommendations from mid- to late life had, compared with those who did not, a better hearing at older ages. Meeting PA public health recommendations in midlife and mid- to late life was associated with better hearing at older ages and reduced risk of hearing loss. Promoting adequate levels of PA may be an essential component of hearing care.

P08-14 The association of childhood commuting modes and physical activity in adult age

BackgroundPhysically active lifestyle prevents and contributes to managing non-communicable diseases. Childhood physical activities have shown to associate with physically active lifestyle in adulthood. More research on which childhood physical activity modes associate with physical activity in later life is still needed. Within the present study, we examined how physically active commuting to school in childhood contributed to overall physical activity in adulhood.MethodsThe participants (N = 3596) were from the population-based, longitudinal Cardiovascular Risks in Young Finns Study. Questionnaires were used in assessing subjects' childhood (1980) and adulthood (2001-2018) physical activity. ActiGraph accelerometers were also applied in the adulthood measurements (2018-2020). The results were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models. Participants' age, sex, parents' educational background, parents' income level, childhood living area, participants' educational background, adulthood income level, and adulthood living area were adjusted for in the models.ResultsBased on the preliminary examinations, childhood commuting was not associated with self-reported commuting to work (2001-2018) or accelerometer-measured overall physical activity (2018-2020) in adulthood (p>.05). Active commuting in childhood associated with increased self-reported leisure-time physical activity in the year 2001 (b=.38, p>.001), 2007 (b=.35, p>.001), and 2018 (b=.28, p=.012), but the association between childhood commuting and self-reported physical activity in the years 2001 and 2018 attenuated after adjusting for all covariates (p>.05).ConclusionsPhysically active commuting in childhood (1980) was associated with higher levels of self-reported leisure-time physical activity in adulthood (2001-2018). The associations attenuated after adjusting for covariates excluding the one between active commuting and leisure-time physical activity assessed in 2007. Physically active commuting can be regarded as recommendable with respect to the development of physically active lifestyle, if supportive evidence for the causality between childhood commuting and leisure-time physical activity in adult age can be found. Future research should also focus on assessing whether active commuting in childhood contributes to adulthood activities parallel to active commuting in childhood.

Basic mobility, accidental falls, and lifetime physical activity among rural and urban community-dwelling older adults: a population-based study in Northern Iceland

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to investigate late-life physical functioning and lifetime history of physical activity (PA) among older adults in rural and urban Arctic communities. Data was collected in a cross-sectional, population-based study among 65 to 92-year-old community-dwelling Icelanders (N = 175, 41% ≥75-year-old, 43% women, 40% rural). Late-life physical functioning was operationalised as: basic mobility (Timed Up and Go in seconds, TUG); fall risk (TUG≥12 sec); a fall (≥1 fall/year); and recurrent falls (≥2 falls/year). PA history was based on a self-assessment. Compared to urban participants, rural participants were more likely to have fallen recently, be at fall risk, and describe more PA history. Among urban participants, no fall in the past year was independently associated with more PA in middle adulthood; and worse basic mobility and late-life fall risk were independently associated with being in the ≥75-year-old group. Among rural participants, recurrent falls were independently associated with being a man; and better basic mobility was independently associated with more PA in late adulthood. To conclude, this evidence supports an important association between better late-life physical functioning and more mid- and late-life PA and encourages further research to understand high fall risk among older men in Arctic rural areas.

Dose-response relationship between late-life physical activity and incident dementia: A pooled analysis of 10 cohort studies of memory in an international consortium.

Though consistent evidence suggests that physical activity may delay dementia onset, the duration and amount of activity required remains unclear. We harmonized longitudinal data of 11,988 participants from 10 cohorts in eight countries to examine the dose-response relationship between late-life physical activity and incident dementia among older adults. Using no physical activity as a reference, dementia risk decreased with duration of physical activity up to 3.1 to 6.0hours/week (hazard ratio [HR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67 to 1.15 for 0.1 to 3.0hours/week; HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.89 for 3.1 to 6.0hours/week), but plateaued with higher duration. For the amount of physical activity, a similar pattern of dose-response curve was observed, with an inflection point of 9.1 to 18.0 metabolic equivalent value (MET)-hours/week (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.22 for 0.1 to 9.0 MET-hours/week; HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.93 for 9.1 to 18.0 MET-hours/week). This cross-national analysis suggests that performing 3.1 to 6.0hours of physical activity and expending 9.1 to 18.0/MET-hours of energy per week may reduce dementia risk.

Likeability and perceived effectiveness of messages designed to encourage physical activity participation among older adults.

Older adults are significantly less likely than their younger counterparts to engage in physical activity. Comprehensive policies to support healthy ageing thus need to include components encouraging greater participation in physical activity in later life. This study tested potential messages for use in health communication campaigns aimed at increasing physical activity among older adults. Twelve written messages designed to encourage older adults to increase their levels of physical activity were rated by Australians aged 60-92years (n=369; 54% female) on the variables of likeability and perceived effectiveness. Ratings for all the tested messages were high across both outcome variables. The message Move more, live longer scored most favourably, with large majorities of participants liking this message (87%) and considering it effective (81%). Messages featuring rhyming or alliteration were rated significantly higher on both outcomes than messages without these attributes (all Ps<.001). Results provide insights into the types of messages that are likely to be accepted by older adults. Statements that use the phonological patterns of rhyming or alliteration are likely to be especially well received. SO WHAT?: Increasing participation in physical activity among older adults is critical to promoting the sustainability of health care systems and enhancing quality of life. The specific messaging attributes identified in the present study as being effective could be used by public health practitioners to inform their approach to physical activity messaging to older adults and incorporated into future health communication campaigns to increase their potential effectiveness with this target group.

Understanding influences on physical activity participation by older adults: A qualitative study of community-dwelling older adults from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, UK.

BackgroundThe health benefits of physical activity (PA) participation in later life are widely recognised. Understanding factors that can influence the participation of community-dwelling older adults in PA is crucial in an ageing society. This will be paramount in aiding the design of future interventions to effectively promote PA in this population. The main aim of this qualitative study was to explore influences on PA among community-dwelling older people, and the secondary aim was to explore gender differences.MethodsQualitative data were collected in 2014 by conducting focus group discussions using a semi-structured discussion guide with older people resident in Hertfordshire, UK. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and transcripts analysed thematically.ResultsNinety-two participants were recruited to the study (47% women; 74–83 years) and a total of 11 focus groups were conducted. Findings indicated six themes that appeared to affect older adults’ participation in PA: past life experiences; significant life events; getting older; PA environment; psychological/personal factors; and social capital. Overall, the findings emphasised the role of modifiable factors, namely psychological factors (such as self-efficacy, motivation, outcome expectancy) and social factors (such as social support and social engagement). These factors exerted their own influence on physical activity participation, but also appeared to mediate the effect of other largely non-modifiable background and ageing-related factors on participants’ engagement with PA in later life.ConclusionIn view of these findings, intervention designers could usefully work with behavioural scientists for insight as to how to enhance psychological and social factors in older adults. Our data suggest that interventions that aim to build self-efficacy, motivation and social networks have the potential to indirectly promote PA participation in older adults. This would be best achieved by developing physical activity interventions through working with participants in an empowering and engaging way.

Late-life physical activity relates to brain tissue synaptic integrity markers in older adults.

Physical activity (PA) is widely recommended for age-related brain health, yet its neurobiology is not well understood. Animal models indicate PA is synaptogenic. We examined the relationship between PA and synaptic integrity markers in older adults. Four hundred four decedents from the Rush Memory and Aging Project completed annual actigraphy monitoring (Mean visits=3.5±2.4) and post mortem evaluation. Brain tissue was analyzed for presynaptic proteins (synaptophysin, synaptotagmin-1, vesicle-associated membrane proteins, syntaxin, complexin-I, and complexin-II), and neuropathology. Models examined relationships between late-life PA (averaged across visits), and timing-specific PA (time to autopsy) with synaptic proteins. Greater late-life PA associated with higher presynaptic protein levels (0.14<β<0.20), except complexin-II (β=0.08). Relationships were independent of pathology but timing specific; participants who completed actigraphy within 2 years of brain tissue measurements showed largest PA-to-synaptic protein associations (0.32<β<0.38). Relationships between PA and presynaptic proteins were comparable across brain regions sampled. PA associates with synaptic integrity in a regionally global, but time-linked nature in older adults.

Physical activity moderates the association between executive function and functional connectivity in older adults.

Recent evidence suggests that physical activity may influence the functional connectivity of the aging brain. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of physical activity on the association between executive function and functional connectivity of key brain networks and graph theory metrics in community-dwelling older adults. Participants were 47 older adults (M = 73 years; SD = 5.92) who participated in neuropsychological testing, physical activity measurements, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Seed-to-voxel moderation analyses and graph theory analyses were conducted. Physical activity was significantly positively associated with default mode network functional connectivity (DMN FC; Posterior Cingulate Gyrus, p-FDR = 0.005; Frontal Pole (L), p-FDR = 0.005; Posterior Cingulate Gyrus, p-FDR = 0.006; Superior Frontal Gyrus (L), p-FDR = 0.016) and dorsal attention network functional connectivity (DAN FC; Inferior Frontal Gyrus Pars Opercularis (R), p-FDR = 0.044). The interaction between physical activity and executive function on the DMN FC and DAN FC was analyzed. The interaction between executive function and physical activity was significantly associated with DMN FC. When this significant interaction was probed, the association between physical activity and DMN FC differed between levels of high and low executive function such that the association was only significant at levels of high executive function. These results suggest that greater physical activity in later life is associated with greater DMN and DAN FC and provides evidence for the importance of physical activity in cognitively healthy older adults.

Neighborhood environment and cognition in older adults: Exploring the mediating effect of physical activity

AbstractBackgroundEmerging evidence suggests neighborhood environment may shape both health behaviors and outcomes. Neighborhood environment could be particularly influential for community‐dwelling older adults who prefer to age in place. Recent studies report that neighborhood social and built environment characteristics significantly influence older adults’ cognition. However, the underlying mechanisms by which neighborhood environment affects cognition are not well understood. Regular physical activity in late life is associated with a lower risk for cognitive decline and may be affected by neighborhood amenities and resources. This study examined how the neighborhood social and built environment affects cognition in older adulthood and explored whether physical activity levels mediated these relationships.MethodThe cross‐sectional analyses included older adults from Wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 3,196; mean age = 73.17, SD = 7.34; 52.6% female; median education = high school diploma; 77.3% Caucasian). We tested a structural equation model to examine associations among neighborhood social and built environment and cognition as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Built environment was operationalized as a latent variable of living density, litter, noise, traffic, pollution, and conditions of respondents’ building and other buildings nearby. The social environment latent variable was constructed with social cohesion, social ties, and perceived neighborhood danger. We tested whether self‐reported frequency of rigorous physical activity mediated these environment‐cognition relationships.ResultThe results indicated (1) greater disadvantages in the neighborhood built environment were associated with worse cognition (est = ‐0.05, p &lt; .001) and with lower levels of physical activity (est = ‐0.03, p = .001); (2) greater advantages in the neighborhood social environment were associated with better cognition (est = 0.03, p &lt; .001) and higher levels of physical activity (est = 0.02, p &lt; .001); however, (3) physical activity levels were not significantly associated with cognition (est = ‐0.02, p = .17).ConclusionThese results highlight the influence of neighborhood environment on both physical activity and cognition in older adulthood. While physical activity was not an underlying mechanism by which environment influences cognition, future studies should test for mediation using objectively‐measured physical activity.

Abstract 11894: Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Late-Life is Associated With Risk of Heart Failure With Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction - The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Introduction: Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with lower heart failure (HF) risk. However, reported associations with incident HF with preserved (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) differ and whether these associations persist into-late life is unclear. Methods: We evaluated 5017 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study who attended visit 5 (2011-2013) and did not have prior HF or significant valvular heart disease. LTPA was assessed by the Baecke questionnaire, summarized in metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week, and related to incident HFpEF (EF ≥ 50%) and HFrEF (EF &lt; 50%) using multivariable Cox regression and restricted cubic splines. All models were adjusted for age, sex, race, center, and smoking status. Results: The mean age was 75.5 ± 5.0 years, 41% were male, 21% Black, and median LTPA was 624 [IQR 0-1270] MET-min/wk. Over a median follow-up of 7.2 years, 435 participants developed HF (208 HFpEF, 166 HFrEF, 61 unknown EF). Compared to those with low LTPA levels (1 st tertile; &lt;139 MET-min/wk), higher levels of LTPA (3 rd tertile; &gt;1053 MET-min/wk) were significantly associated with lower HF risk (HR 0.48 [95% CI 0.37-0.62]) after adjusting for age, sex, race, center, and smoking status. The 2 nd and 3 rd tertile remained associated with lower HFpEF risk (2 nd tertile: HR 0.69 [0.50-0.96]; 3 rd tertile: 0.43 [0.29-0.62]), and lower HFrEF risk (2 nd tertlle: HR 0.55 [0.37-0.81]; 3 rd tertile: 0.57 [0.39-0.85]) in the adjusted model. Restricted cubic splines demonstrated a graded response between higher levels of LTPA and incident HFpEF and HFrEF (Figure). With further adjustment for HF risk factors that may be considered mediators, the association of higher LTPA with lower risk of HFpEF was preserved while the association with HFrEF risk was attenuated. Conclusions: In older adults, higher levels of LTPA are associated with a lower risk of both incident HFpEF and HFrEF.

Irrelevant Gadgets or a Source of Worry

Wearable activity trackers are routinely applied in physical activity (PA) interventions in late life, but there is little research that focuses on older adults' perspectives on the technology. We conducted a qualitative study with 24 older persons to explore their perspective on wearables and PA. First, we discussed their relationship with PA and wearable trackers during focus groups. Next, nine participants crafted prototypes for wearables during co-design sessions. Through Thematic Analysis, we identified two main themes: (1) PA is personal in terms of preferred activities and reasons for PA, and (2) wearables are an emotional technology, causing negative emotions when resembling medical trackers or pressurizing to perform. We followed upon these results through a survey with 41 participants, which further highlighted individual differences in the perception of wearables. We conclude with questions to guide the design of wearables and reflect on their role to support PA in late life.

Everyday learning in later life through engagement in physical activity

ABSTRACT Despite older adults’ developmental process along with its inextricable connection to health and physical activity issues and a unique learning desire in later life, limited evidence exists regarding the nature of learning that occurs when older adults engage in their practice of exercise. As engagement in personally satisfying physical activity becomes more meaningful in older adulthood as a means for healthy aging, understanding their practice of exercise and learning particular exercise-related skills is imperative. Thus, we examined older adults’ perceptions of aging and everyday learning experiences in the context of physical activity. Using grounded theory, specifically following the paradigm model, we identified the core category of ‘nature of learning in physical activity in later life’ and older adult exercisers’ learning process including assimilative, accommodative, and social aspects of learning. The findings suggested that physical literacy in older adulthood, self-directed learning about physical activity, reflective practice, and nostalgic learning should be taken into consideration when developing quality exercise programs and conducting future research.

Association of Physical Activity with Structural Brain Imaging

In this prospective study, researchers analyzed whether mid- or late-life leisure-time physical activity was associated with findings on brain MRI in