Even though several studies showed an association between the tested PAQ and health/functioning variables, the knowledge about reliability and construct validity of self-administrated PAQs for older adults is still scarce and more high-quality validation studies are needed.

Most recent studies on the relationship between bodily appearance and physical activity have focused on young women. Less is known about this relationship among women and men at different ages. In Norway, 1,555 women and men, 18–67 yr, completed 2 subscales of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. Participants were classified into 3 activity-level groups—inactive, low-active, and moderate/high-active—and 3 age groups: 18–29, 30–44, and 45–67. Satisfaction with appearance increased with age among moderate/high-active participants but decreased among inactive participants. Active women and men aged 30–44 and 45–67 were significantly more satisfied with their appearance than their inactive counterparts. Inactive men aged 18–29 were significantly more satisfied than their low-active counterparts. Men were significantly more satisfied with their appearance than were women, independent of physical activity and age. Results are discussed in relation to various theories of aging, with focus on the relationship between attitudes toward one’s body and sociocultural body ideals.

Poor muscle strength and physical function have been associated with higher risk of hospitalisation and lower wellbeing among the elderly. Physical training increases muscle strength, endurance and physical function as well as psychological outcomes. Exercise among older adults is often used to improve these variables, but few have compared the effects of different types of training in parallel independent groups. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of three different types of training on body composition, muscle strength, physical function and well-being in the elderly. A total of 118 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 74.3, s04.6 years, 68% women) completed a 13-week randomised controlled exercise-trial involving four groups: traditional strength training (STG), functional strength training (FTG), endurance training (ETG) and control (CON). Stair climb with load improved more in FTG than CON (P B0.05), and the two strength groups performed better in the functional upper body test (P B0.05). STG increased strength more than CON in all exercises (P B0.001), while FTG increased strength more than CON in the chest press, shoulder press and knee extension (P B0.05). Lean body mass (LBM) increased in all training groups, which differed significantly from CON (P B0.05). ETG decreased their fat mass compared to CON (P B0.001). The only significant effect on well-being indices was improved life satisfaction in FTG at week 5 (P B0.05). We also observed significant correlations between change in some of the functional tests and change in positive affect.All three types of training can enhance physical capacity. Functional strength training can be a cost effective form of training in terms of less demand for instructors and equipment and could be an effective way to improve physical function, strength and indices of well-being in the elderly.

Purpose: This article examines the reliability of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) in a representative sample of Norwegian women and men. PASE is a brief and easily scored instrument to assess physical activity in epidemiological studies of persons age 65 years and older. Methods: A random sample (N = 343) of Norwegian women and men aged 67 years and over completed PASE. In addition, demographic information and health status was provided. Results: The mean PASE scores were higher in men than in women (men were more active than women), and higher in those aged 67-75 years compared with those aged 76 years and older. Internal consistency of PASE as measured by Cronbach's coefficient alpha was 0.73. Three hundred and twentyseven subjects also completed follow-up questionnaires 3 days and 3 weeks later. The test-retest coefficient (Pearson's) reliability was 0.997 for the 3-day interval and 0.933 for the 3-week interval. Conclusion: The results show that PASE is an easily scored, reliable instrument for use in epidemiological studies to assess physical activity among Norwegian elderly men and women.Key Points:1. The goal of the article is to study the reliability of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) among Norwegians. 2. A representative sample of Norwegian women and men aged 67 years and over completed the PASE questionnaire (N = 343). 3. Three hundred and twenty-seven subjects completed the questionnaire at baseline and on two follow-up occasions 3 days and 3 weeks later. 4. The test-retest coefficient (Pearson's) reliability was 0.997 for the 3-day interval and 0.933 for the 3-week interval.

This article examines some tensions related to how male bodybuilders, ski jumpers, and soccer players view their bodies. Both ski jumpers and soccer players displayed a functional orientation toward their bodies, while the ski jumpers strove for a thin and light body that would improve the length of their jumps. Soccer players also had somewhat diverse body ideals, as the game requires different skills. Bodybuilders were primarily concerned with appearance, especially size. There also was an association between concern about appearance and dissatisfaction with one's body. Ski jumpers and soccer players were less concerned than the bodybuilders were with their public image and were also more satisfied with their looks. The study indicates that athletes' perceptions of their bodies depend upon the sporting contexts, and that there are tensions between athletes' perceptions of their bodies and the cultural ideals associated with men's bodies at large.