The Effects of Age, Organized Physical Activity and Sedentarism on Fitness in Older Adults: An 8-Year Longitudinal Study

Abstract

The aims of the present study were (1) to describe the changes in physical fitness during an 8 year follow-up in a large sample of Spanish adults aged 65 or over that are initially engaged in organized physical activity (OPA), (2) to compare fitness changes according to different age groups (65 to 69 vs. 70 to 74 vs. ≥75 years-old), (3) to evaluate the independent and combined effects of changes in OPA engagement and sitting time (ST) on physical fitness. A total of 642 (147 males) non-institutionalized over 65 years-old participants completed the EXERNET battery fitness tests and completed a validated questionnaire from which information regarding OPA and ST were collected. All participants completed evaluations in 2008–2009 and in 2016–2017. An impairment of fitness-related variables happens after 65 years of age in both males and females, with the older participants (≥75), showing the largest decreases. Males who continued performing OPA demonstrated lower decreases in balance, leg flexibility and agility when compared to those who stopped performing OPA during the follow-up. Females who continued performing OPA demonstrated lower decreases of all variables except for balance when compared to those who stopped performing OPA during the follow-up.

Part A of Anatomy at the Mall: A Multimodal Activity to Enhance Health Awareness and Identify Early Signs of Health-Related Issues in the General Public

“…As such, they spent most of the day sitting, making this previous statement a possible interpretation for the distinction in plantar flexor values and a limitation of this study. Early studies pointed to decreased physical activity reducing muscle strengths impacting balance and leg flexibility in older populations [40]. Notably, the present research discovered a potential trend involving pupils, lower limb weakness, and prolonged sitting.…”

Changes in Health Behaviors, Mental and Physical Health among Older Adults under Severe Lockdown Restrictions during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

“…The elderly-Exernet multi-center study (EXERNET): Multi-center study of non-institutionalized individuals aged ≥65 years recruited in Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, and Madrid. At baseline (2008–2009) and follow-up visits (2011–2012 and 2016–2017 (baseline wave for the present study)) participants responded to a face-to-face questionnaire and underwent a physical exam [ 28 ]. Participants gave informed written consent, and the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Aragón approved the study and its follow-ups (#18/2008).…”

Changes in health behaviors, mental and physical health among older adults under severe lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

“…Multi-center study of non-institutionalized individuals aged ≥65 years recruited in Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid. At baseline (2008-2009) and follow-up visits (2011-2012 and 2016-2017 [baseline wave for the present study]) participants responded to a face-to-face questionnaire and underwent a physical exam (27). Participants gave informed written consent, and the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Aragón approved the study (#18/2008).…”

“…All participants provided written informed consent for their participation and the treatment of their personal data. [baseline wave for the present study]) participants responded to a face-to-face questionnaire and underwent a physical exam (27). Participants gave informed written consent, and the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Aragón approved the study (#18/2008).…”