Journal article
Association between physical activity participation and perceived social isolation at older ages: Do social participation, age and sex differences matter?
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, Vol.96, pp.1-8
09/2021
PMID: 34082274
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Abstract
Background
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for poor health. However, it is unclear how physical activity (PA) is associated with perceived social isolation (PSI) in older age. This study aims to explore 1) association between PA and PSI among older people in Ghana and 2) if social participation (SP), age and sex modify any associations.
Methods
The study focused on 1,201 men and women aged ≥50 years in the AgeHeaPsyWel-HeaSeeB Study. Multivariate ordinary least squares (OLS) models were specified to estimate the regression coefficients and standard errors for the associations of PA and SP with PSI adjusting for potential confounders.
Results
Multivariate OLS regressions showed that engagement in SP (b = -0.442; SE = 0.140; p < 0.001) and regular PA (b = -0.338; SE = 0.152; p < 0.005) were independently associated with decreasing PSI. Also, SP modified the PA—PSI association such that resourceful SP reinforced the link between PA and PSI (b = -0.709; SE = 0.276; p < .005). Finding revealed sex (men: b= -0.712; SE = 0.266; p < 0.005; women: p = 0.083) and age differences (65+: b = -0.437; SE = 0.206; p < 0.005; 50-64: b = -0.502; SE = 0.252; p < 0.05) in the effect of PA on PSI.
Conclusions
Findings provide insight into the importance of specific and combined effects of SP and PA on PSI in older age. Public health, clinical practice, and social policy efforts should target social healing and group PA interventions to improve older adults' emotional health.
Details
- Title
- Association between physical activity participation and perceived social isolation at older ages: Do social participation, age and sex differences matter?
- Creators
- Razak M Gyasi - African Population and Health Research CenterSamuel Adu-Gyamfi - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyBernard Obeng - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyEdward Asamoah - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyIsaac Kisiangani - African Population and Health Research CenterVollan Ochieng - African Population and Health Research CenterKubi Appiah - Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Publication Details
- Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, Vol.96, pp.1-8
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Grant note
- This work was supported by the Lingnan University, Hong Kong [grant number RPG1129310]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
- Identifiers
- 991013035758402368
- Copyright
- © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article