Motorische Handlungskompetenz und Lebensqualit�t �lterer aktiver Menschen

Abstract

Physical activity is a vital pre-condition for healthy aging and well-being. While the association between objective and subjective health in old age has extensively been investigated, the relationship between objective motor competence-the capability of mastering motor demands in everyday life adequately by using motor resources optimally-and subjective health-related quality of life has not been studied yet. In an interdisciplinary study, 168 active seniors (36 men) at the mean age of 67 (range: 59-89) underwent a test battery assessing motor resources and two objective domains of everyday life motor competence-"Perceiving and Reacting" and "Mastering Complex Situations". Subsequently, participants rated their mental, physical, social, functional health and life satisfaction by questionnaire. Motor competence domains were age-dependent; the strongest decrease was found for "Mastering Complex Situations". Only "Mastering Complex Situations" was predicted by motor resources: competent seniors in this domain were faster in motor activity, simple reactions, body movements following acoustic and optic signals, and showed a stronger handcraft and a higher mobility. Overall, health-related quality of life was contingent upon motor competence: physical and functional health and-to a lesser extent-mental health and life satisfaction showed a systematic but moderate relationship to both motor competence domains. The results emphasize the significance of age-compatible and everyday life-adjusted physical activity for the well-being of elderly persons. Even active elderly persons show deficits in motor competence and should be trained, taking into account individual resources and flaws.

Interactions between the aging brain and motor task complexity across the lifespan: balancing brain activity resource demand and supply

“…The world population is becoming increasingly aged; in Europe, the share of adults over 65 years of age will rise from 26.3% in 2019 to 43.5% in 2070 ( European Commission 2019 ). Aging has been associated with behavioral deficits, and in particular motor deficits, which have a significant impact on functional independence and well-being ( Wiesmann et al. 2004 ) whereby older adults require additional care ( Nilsson 2003 ; Seidler et al.…”

Studying feasibility and effects of a two-stage nursing staff training in residential geriatric care using a 30 month mixed-methods design [ISRCTN24344776]

“…physical condition, coordination, cognition and constitution. External resources are the potential of the environment such as devices or the social environment [11]. Nurses are more able to work in a resource-orientated manner, to perform different resident movement tasks with ease, to support the patient's active participation towards their own locomotion and to increase the patient's perceptions of their own body and environment.…”