Determinants of sports, cycling, walking and overall leisure-time physical activity among postmenopausal women in Germany

Abstract

Objective: Convincing evidence exists for a beneficial effect of physical activity (PA) on health and well-being for elderly women. Nevertheless, many women in Germany are insufficiently physically active. Activity promotion programmes should target women in particular need. Thus, we examined subject-related determinants of PA for postmenopausal women in Germany. Design: Associations of sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle and healthrelated factors with activity since the age of 50 years were assessed with multiple linear and logistic regression models, regarding overall leisure-time PA (LPA) in metabolic equivalent hours per week, engagement in sports (ever v. never), cycling (yes v. no) and walking ($3?5 v. ,3?5 h/week). Conclusions: Our results suggest potential target groups for promoting sports, cycling or walking activity. Postmenopausal women with chronic diseases may need to be stronger encouraged by their physicians to engage in adequate PA for the management of their diseases.

Sport and ageing: a systematic review of the determinants and trends of participation in sport for older adults

“…The range of participants across included studies was six to 22,050. The majority of the studies were undertaken in Australia ( n = 5) [ 13 , 14 , 20 , 23 , 44 ] and the USA ( n = 5) [ 15 – 18 , 21 ], with one study undertaken respectively in Canada [ 22 ], England [ 45 ], Germany [ 46 ], The Netherlands [ 47 ], New Zealand [ 19 ], Scotland [ 48 ], South Korea [ 49 ] and Sweden [ 50 ]. There were 13 studies that focused on the older adult age group, whilst three studies were non-specific to older adults, but reported age specific data.…”

“…However more than half of Masters’ participants still played sport in their 20s and 30s and others returned to sport during middle age rather than retirement. Suggests that some prior sport history is important but not all prior participation Competitors believed exercise was more important than non-exercisers, however they had more varied motivation to participate (improved health, in addition to socialisation and competency) than non-sports exercisers and non-exercisers 0.73 [ 46 ] (2010) Quant Cross-sectional 6569 Germany 50–67 Post-menopausal women F Examine the subject-related determinants of physical activity for post-menopausal women PA & sport General sports - Sport participation was significantly associated with occupation (civil servants most popular), so job type can be a determinant for some participants - Also, later in life nulliparous women were less physically active than parous women, and women who had children at a younger age are less likely to participate in sport than older mothers, − Non-indigenous women was strongly associated with low sport participation 0.86 * Research design: Quant = quantitative research methods, Qual = qualitative methods. ** Sex: F = female, m = Male, M&F = both male and female.…”

“…One study found that retirement was not an important determinant of participation [ 47 ], whilst another study reported that employment was a perceived barrier [ 45 ]. A study from Germany reported that sport participation was significantly associated with occupation [ 46 ], with civil servants more likely to be engaged in sports compared to other types of workers, and another study suggested that a more favourable socio-economic status was a positive determinant in late middle age participation [ 48 ].…”

Physical exercise of women after menopause

“…: chorób układu krążenia, otyłości, osteoporozy, demencji, postmenopauzalnemu nowotworowi piersi. Pomaga utrzymać funkcjonalną niezależność i zapobiec upadkom [21]. Jest skuteczna w przypadku łagodzenia negatywnych efektów często stosowanej terapii hormonalnej [22].…”

“…Istnieją prace wskazujące na to, że wiele kobiet zaprzestaje ćwiczeń bądź w ogóle ich nie rozpoczyna, gdy słyszy choćby jedną z diagnoz: nadciśnienie tętnicze, cukrzyca, choroba układu krąże-nia [21].…”