Document Detail


How diverse was the leisure time physical activity of older Australians over the past decade?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22197582     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Objectives: Public health recommendations for older adults highlight the need to engage in a combination of aerobic, muscle strength, flexibility and balance activities. This study characterised leisure time physical activity in older Australians (≥65 years), examining the diversity in reported activities. Design: Cross-sectional monitoring. Methods: The Exercise Recreation and Sport Surveys (2001-2009) were combined and analysed for 22,050 elderly. Results: Walking was reported by 45.6%, of those 53% engaged exclusively in walking. Prevalent sports (i.e., >1%) were bowls (9.4%), aerobics/callisthenics exercise (9.1%), golf (7.7%), swimming (6.4%), gym work (5.2%), cycling (3.2%), tennis (2.9%), dancing (2.1%), fishing (2.0%), tai chi (1.4%), weight lifting (1.2%) and yoga (1.1%). Significant gender differences were apparent. Over time, significant increases were reported in walking, aerobic/callisthenics and gym workout in both genders. In the previous year, 32.0% of older adults participated in "nil" activity, 40.6% engaged in one activity, 19.5% and 8.0% participated in two or three or more activities, respectively. Common combinations were walking with another aerobic activity. Only 2.6% reported a combination of aerobic, balance and strength activities. Multiple-activity participation increased over the years, but declined with increasing age, education and for the most disadvantaged, compared to single-activity participation. Partially or exclusively organised participation, combined, was reported by 42.5% of older adults. Women were more likely to combine mode of participation. Geographic region was associated with multiple-activity participation and organised-only participation. Conclusions: Most elderly people engage in one activity, if at all. An increase in participation in balance enhancing activities and weight training is warranted to maximize health benefits.
Authors:
Merom Dafna; Cosgrove Carmen; Venugopal Kamalesh; Bauman Adrian
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-12-22
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of science and medicine in sport / Sports Medicine Australia     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1878-1861     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-12-26     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9812598     Medline TA:  J Sci Med Sport     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2011 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Evidence-based decision making for vaccines: The need for an ethical foundation.
Next Document:  Proximal tubule overexpression of a locally acting IGF isoform, Igf-1Ea, increases inflammation afte...