The long-term effects of a primary care physical activity intervention on mental health in low-active, community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Our findings suggest that the standard time-based Green Prescription and a modified pedometer-based Green Prescription are both effective in maintaining and improving mental health in non-depressed, previously low-active older adults.

Measurement of physical activity in older adult interventions: a systematic review

“…Studies using objective measures ranged in sample size from 15 participants to 280 29 30 33 39 49 52 56 62 65 67 68 71. Among studies using accelerometers to investigate PA behaviour, sample sizes ranged from 23 to 280,38 57 59 63 68 70 72 and sample sizes among studies utilising pedometers also varied (15–263 participants) 30 39 42 48…”

“…Citations for reliability were found for 59% of the measures used across studies (43% of objective measures and 65% of self-report),28 29 31–35 37 39 41 43–47 55 57–59 61 63 64 66–68 70 71 and citations for validity were given for 63% of the measures (50% of objective measures and 68% of self-report) 28 29 31–36 39 41 43–47 49 55 57–61 63 64 66–68 70 71. Of the citations for reliability, 100% of the studies using objective measures cited a measurement study,29 33 39 67 68 71 while 88% of the self-report cited a measurement study 28 31–35 37 39 43–47 55 57 58 59 61 64 66. Measurement studies for validity were cited for 100% of the studies using objective measures29 33 39 49 67 68 71 and 88% of the self-report methods 28 29 31–37 39 43–47 55 57 58–61 64 66…”

“…Of the citations for reliability, 100% of the studies using objective measures cited a measurement study,29 33 39 67 68 71 while 88% of the self-report cited a measurement study 28 31–35 37 39 43–47 55 57 58 59 61 64 66. Measurement studies for validity were cited for 100% of the studies using objective measures29 33 39 49 67 68 71 and 88% of the self-report methods 28 29 31–37 39 43–47 55 57 58–61 64 66…”

“…Only 61% of the measures used in the interventions reviewed had previously established reliability (43% of objective measures and 68% of self-report) 28 29 31–35 37–39 41 43–48 55 57 58 59 61 64 66–68 70 71. Validity had been previously determined in 73% of the measures used (64% of objective measures and 76% of self-report) 28 29 31–39 41 43–46 48 49 52 55 57–62 64 66 67 68 70 71.…”

Neighbourhood environment and physical activity in older adults

“…Social participation has been associated with mortality, morbidity and quality of life in older adults (Levasseur et al, 2010;Berkman et al, 2000). Research has consistently shown that older adults' engagement in social activities is associated with positive outcomes on a variety of health indicators, including, self-rated health, depression, dementia, cognitive functioning, and health behaviors (e.g., Marquet and Miralles-Guasch, 2015;Patela et al, 2013;Pollack, C.E., von dem Knesebeck, 2004;Tunstall et al, 2014) neighbourhood Accessibility (or lack) of key resources in the neighbourhood, such as facilities to engage in preferred physical activities may be predictive of greater social participation by older adults (Richard et al, 2008.…”