Physical activity benefits of attending a senior center depend largely on age and gender: a study using GPS and accelerometry data

Abstract

Background: Senior centers offer important opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. Seniors who visit a senior center regularly can gain physical activity from transportation and from specific activities offered within the senior center. However, there is very little knowledge regarding the specific physical activity gains obtained from regular visits to senior centers, and no effort has been made to use device-based measures of physical activity to test the potential physical activity benefits of attending a senior center. Methods: To fill this gap, the present study examined the physical activity patterns of 227 seniors living in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area in Spain. Using GPS and Accelerometer 7-day tracking data, and GIS measures we assessed the light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) benefits of attending the senior center on a weekly and daily basis. Results: Seniors who attended a senior center at least once a week did not accumulate significantly more daily physical activity (211.6 min; 95% CI 196.6; 226.6) than seniors without any visit 215.9 min; 95% CI 202.7; 229). However, on a day-to-day basis, it was found that visiting a senior center had positive effects in physical activity and was associated with less sedentary time among younger participants in general (− 18.2 daily min 95% CI − 33.2;-3.3 p = 0.016) and among older female participants in particular (− 19.7 daily min 95% CI -21.06;-18.5 p = 0.011). Conclusions: The benefits of attending senior centers in terms of physical activity should not be viewed as universal, but rather as contingent to the demographics of the user, and the type of activity that the visit is replacing.

Social engagement and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults: gender-specific findings from the Korean longitudinal study of aging (2008–2018)

“…Globally, senior centers, also known as 'elderly centers' or 'seniors' social clubs' , have played a key role in increasing social interaction and promoting active aging among community-dwelling middle-aged and older Vol:. ( 1234567890 www.nature.com/scientificreports/ adults [22][23][24][25] . In senior centers, a wide variety of free services for physical and mental health improvement, as well as social/educational programs and recreational activities are organized by healthcare professionals, social workers, and community volunteers 25,26 .…”

“…( 1234567890 www.nature.com/scientificreports/ adults [22][23][24][25] . In senior centers, a wide variety of free services for physical and mental health improvement, as well as social/educational programs and recreational activities are organized by healthcare professionals, social workers, and community volunteers 25,26 . In Korea, senior centers offer opportunities for middle-aged and older adults to socially interact with other people while playing chess or 'Hwatu' (Korean traditional cards), singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, and learning calligraphy or origami 27,28 .…”

Dietary behavior of home-living older adults: the role of environmental factors

“…The evidence also clearly indicates that senior centers can help reduce older adults' loneliness, develop a social network, and provide access to healthy meals. This finding corroborates the findings reported by Marquet et al (2020). Accordingly, more resources are needed to support senior centers nationwide.…”

A Low-Cost GNSS Prototype for Tracking Runners in RTK Mode: Comparison with Running Watch Performance

“…The sequence for predicting 1500 m test is: 1-min running, 3-min stop, 1-min running, 2-min stop, 1-min running, 1-min stop and final 1-min running. For instance, Cooper test followed by GPS tracking during football matches has been used to analyze physical performance in adolescents [8] and GPS with accelerometry data to assess benefits of physical activity in seniors [9].…”