The Power of Ageism on Physical Function of Older Persons: Reversibility of Age‐Related Gait Changes

Abstract

Stereotypes of aging apparently have a powerful impact on the gait of older persons. Interventions designed to enhance perceptions of old age may prove beneficial in helping to improve gait and functional independence among older persons. In the future, positive changes in society's view of aging may also help to reduce and prevent age-related declines in function and the associated deleterious consequences.

Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults

“…Results from numerous experimental studies conducted by Levy and colleagues to test memory, hand writing skills, and walking ability indicated that subliminal exposure to negative age stereotypes can negatively affect (or lead to no changes in) performance in these domains in older adults, while implicit priming with positive stereotypes of aging (such as wise and sage) tended to improve performance [25][26][27]. For example, in Levy's innovative 1996 study, it was shown that older adults who were implicitly primed with negative aging stereotype words (e.g., senile, dependent, and incompetent) and then asked to undertake memory tasks performed worse than the positively primed group, regardless of age, gender, level of education, previous computer use, mood, and location of residence [27].…”

“…Preliminary evidence suggests that implicit positive stereotype primes can improve performance in older individuals [16]. For example, many of Levy and colleagues' implicit priming studies reviewed in previous sections revealed that the positively primed group improved their performance in the task being measured, such as memory [19,27], swing time, and balance speed associated with walking [25], or had no change in their performance after being primed, such as a muted cardiovascular response to cognitive challenges [28]. The latter finding led to the assumption that positive primes may act as a buffer to the effects of negative stereotypes [28].…”

Efforts to Promote Physical Activity Must Battle Ageist Stereotypes

“…Additionally, older adults with more positive expectations of aging are more likely to recover from disability in activities of daily living than are older adults with more negative beliefs about older people (Levy, Slade, Murphy, & Gill, 2012). In fact, subconsciously reinforcing positive age stereotypes has been shown to improve gait speed in older adults, an effect that was unrelated to age, sex, health status, or psychosocial factors (Hausdorff, Levy, & Wei, 1999).…”

Contextualizing the Effects of Yoga Therapy on Diabetes Management

“…Studies indicate that physicians are less likely to recommend PA to older adults, that sedentary behavior stems from sociocultural attitudes and prejudice toward aging, and that negative stereotypes of aging influence physiologic function important for lifelong PA. [83][84][85] In particular, it is proposed that biologic changes inherent in the aging process, coupled with societal values and cultural attitudes regarding the activity of older adults, significantly affect the PA patterns of older adults. 83 As they age, women in particular often report a delicate balance among factors such as avoiding the risk of injury, desiring to meet sociocultural ideals for beauty and longevity, and seeking to maintain an independent lifestyle as they pursue PA. Others simply hold subtle societal beliefs that suggest that their aging bodies are incapable of handling the exertion of PA. 83 In a study of community-dwelling men and women aged between 63 and 82 years, investigators reported significant increases in walking speed and other improvements in gait among those who were exposed to positive stereotypes of aging and no changes in those exposed to negative stereotypes of aging.…”

“…The authors conclude that stereotypes of aging have a profound impact on gait and other aspects of physiologic function. 84 A recent review of the literature regarding ageist stereotypes indicates that healthcare providers likely propagate aging myths by being less aggressive in both their treatment of conditions and their recommendations for healthpromoting behaviors. 85 In particular, physicians may be less likely to recommend PA, in spite of known benefits, simply because they perceive older adults as having earned rest and repose.…”