The association between physical activity and self-reported health in older adults: lessons implied by lifestyle factors.

Physical activity (PA) has been evidenced to be associated with self-reported health, but studies providing this evidence have failed to incorporate some relevant covariates, especially those pertinent to an African sample. This study examined the association between PA and self-reported health, with relevant lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and personal characteristics treated as covariates in this assessment. The study population was retired and working older people aged 60 years or more in Accra, Ghana. A total of 686 individuals responded to self-reported questionnaires. Pearson's chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to present findings. Our data indicated that older adults who participated in moderate PA for more than 60 minutes were 7 times (OR=7,41; p=0,000) more likely to report good health compared with those who were active for less than 30 minutes. Similarly, those who participated in vigorous PA for 60 or more minutes were 5 times (OR=4,52; p=0,003) more likely to report good health compared with those who were active for less than 30 minutes. It is concluded that PA is likely to better enhance self-reported health when older people avoid sedentary behaviour, reduce their frequency of smoking, and modify their diet, but our covariate adjustment suggests that alcohol intake does not necessarily mar self-reported health.

Assessing the maturity of community-level built environments for older adults' active behaviors: highlights from a psychometric test.

The community development approach to healthy active aging advocates constant availability of relevant built environment factors in the community as a requirement for active behaviors. In this paper, scores from a new scale measuring these factors are interpreted to guide future assessment of active built environments in the community. Participants were 515 older adults in Accra aged 60 years or more who met some inclusion criteria. Principal component analysis (with varimax rotation) and confirmatory factor analysis were used to select relevant items and assess the psychometric properties of the final scale. Principal component analysis produced a six-factor solution with 33 items, and the final scale had a good internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0,96; factor loading ≥0,50). The minimum and maximum scores of the scale are 33 and 99 respectively, and the scale indicates low maturity, moderate maturity and high maturity of walkable built environments with scores of 1-30, 34-66 and 67-99 respectively. The final scale, hereby called ACTIVE COMMUNITY, can be used to assess the maturity of active built environments to understand how community design projects are impacting active behaviors over time.

Injuries, dislocations, and poor health perceived by older adults to result from vigorous physical activity: implications for active living, health promotion, and gerontology.

This study examines older adults' perceptions about their participation in vigorous physical activity (VPA) and the association between VPA and self-related health. A total of 686 older adults responded to self-reported questionnaires, and Pearson's ꭓ2 test and binary logistic regression were used to present findings. About 74% of older adults reported experiencing dislocations, fractures, or/and other forms of injury in intense physical activities lasting 30 minutes or more a day. After controlling for relevant socio-demographic factors, older adults who participated in VPA for 30 or more minutes a day were less likely (OR=0,129; p=0,000) to report good health compared with those who participated in VPA for less than 30 minutes. It is concluded that VPA in older populations can result in casualties that may compel older adults to underrate their health, which can discourage active living habits in older populations and discredit PA/health promotion programs.

The association between social capital factors and sedentary behaviour among older adults: Does the built environment matter?

Evidences in the literature uphold social capital factors, namely social networks and support as a buffer against sedentary behaviour. A recent school of thought also contends that the built environment supports these factors to reduce sedentary behaviour. This study examined the role of the built environment in the association between the said social capital factors and sedentary behaviour. Participants of the study were 504 volunteer older adults in Accra, Ghana. A self-reported questionnaire was used to gather data, and structural equation modelling was used to present findings through Amos. The structural model through which the associations were tested produced a good fit (χ2=231,32; p=0,198). The study confirmed that the built factors are directly and indirectly (via social capital factors) associated with sedentary behaviour. «Road structure and safety¼ and «health and paramedical services¼ directly reduced sedentary behaviour, while «public security services¼ was positively associated with sedentary behaviour. All the built environmental factors, except «care and recreational homes¼, influenced sedentary behaviour through the social capital factors. We conclude that built environmental factors reinforce social capital to reduce sedentary behaviour, but this support may also increase sedentary time if the built environment is not well structured.