Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Physical activity is a basic need, also in old age. However, many older people cannot fulfil this need, often due to walking limitations causing imbalance in person-environment fit. Decreased physical activity can lead to unmet physical activity need and restriction on life-space mobility. The opportunities to remain physically active depend on various factors, not all of which are equally achievable for all older adults. The aim was to investigate disparities in physical activity among older community-dwelling people, with a focus on functioning, environmental barriers and facilitators, and socioeconomic status (SES). The data were drawn from two studies conducted in Central Finland: Screening and Counseling for Physical Activity and Mobility (632 participants, 75% women, mean age 77.6) and Life-Space Mobility in Old Age (848 participants, 62% women, mean age 80.1). Walking limitations, SES, social support, environmental facilitators for outdoor walking and barriers to outdoor physical activity were self-reported. The outcome measures were unmet physical activity need, walking limitation and life-space mobility. Five outdoor physical activity barrier profiles were identified, in which people differed in health and functioning and vulnerability to the challenges of the environment. A higher number of environmental facilitators decreased the risk for walking limitation. The risk for unmet physical activity need increased along with the number of individual and environmental outdoor physical activity barriers, but was highest among people whose poor health and functioning hindered them from going outdoors. Low SES was associated with more restricted life-space mobility and unmet physical activity need, especially among persons with walking limitations. Disparities in physical activity can be traced back to various individual, social and environmental factors. The importance of the environment for physical activity is considerable especially among older people with walking limitations.
Author: Johanna Eronen
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W60403029