Exploring Factors Associated with Physical Activity in the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Published:2024-01-17
Issue:1
Volume:14
Page:62
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ISSN:2076-328X
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Container-title:Behavioral Sciences
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Behavioral Sciences
Author:
Miljanovic Damjanovic Vesna12ORCID, Obradovic Salcin Lejla12ORCID, Ostojic Daria123, Ostojic Ljerka4, Gilic Barbara5ORCID, Geets Kesic Marijana5, Uzicanin Edin6ORCID, Sekulic Damir5ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Mostar, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Mostar, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina 3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Mostar, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4. Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 5. Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia 6. Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced individuals’ physical activity levels (PALs) and particularly the PAL of the elderly. However, few studies have examined the correlates of PALs in this population during the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the residence-specific correlates of PALs in elderly people from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 211 persons older than 65 years (101 females), of whom 111 were community-dwelling residents, and 110 were nursing home residents (71.11 ± 3.11 and 72.22 ± 4.01 years of age, respectively; t-test = 0.91, p < 0.05). The variables included health status, residential status sociodemographic factors, anthropometrics (body mass, height, and body mass index), and PAL. PAL was evaluated using a translated version of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and was validated in this study. PASE showed good test–retest reliability (51% of the common variance) and validity (57% of the common variance, with the step count measured using pedometers). Apart from participants’ health status and age, PAL was positively correlated with (i) community-dwelling residence (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.60–2.23), and (ii) a lower BMI (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.71–0.98). The pre-pandemic physical activity was positively correlated with the PAL of the nursing home residents (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.02–1.45). A higher education level was positively correlated with the PAL of community-dwelling residents (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.04–1.66). This study evidenced the residence-specific correlates of PALs, and enabled the identification of specific groups that are at risk of having low PALs during the pandemic. Future studies examining this problem during a non-pandemic period are warranted.
Funder
Federal Ministry of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Subject
Behavioral Neuroscience,General Psychology,Genetics,Development,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
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