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Perceived Opportunities for Physical Activity and Willingness to Be More Active in Older Adults with Different Physical Activity Levels

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  • Eeva Aartolahti

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
    Institute of Rehabilitation, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, FI-40100 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Johanna Eronen

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
    Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Timo Törmäkangas

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
    Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Taina Rantanen

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
    Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Mirja Hirvensalo

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Lotta Palmberg

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
    Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Heidi Skantz

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
    Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Anne Viljanen

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
    Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Erja Portegijs

    (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
    Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Susanne Iwarsson

    (Department of Health Sciences & Centre for Ageing and Supportive Environments (CASE), Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden)

  • Merja Rantakokko

    (Institute of Rehabilitation, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, FI-40100 Jyväskylä, Finland)

Abstract

This study examined equity in physical activity (PA) by investigating whether perceived opportunity for PA was associated with willingness to be more active. Among community residents (75, 80, or 85 years old, n = 962) perceived opportunity for PA (poor and good), willingness to be more active (not at all, a bit, and a lot), and level of PA (low, moderate, and high) were assessed via questionnaires. Multinomial logistic regression showed that physical activity moderated the association between poor opportunity and willingness to increase PA. Among those with moderate PA, poor opportunity for PA increased the odds of willingness to be a lot more active (multinomial odds ratio, mOR 3.90, 95% confidence interval 2.21–6.87) than not wanting to be more active compared to those perceiving good opportunities. Associations were similar at high PA levels ( p < 0.001), but were not found at low PA levels. Those with moderate or high PA wish to increase their activity particularly when the perceived opportunities for activity are not optimal. Among those with low PA, perceived opportunities are not associated with a perceived need to increase physical activity. Increasing equity in physical activity in old age requires provision of support and opportunities at every level of physical activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Eeva Aartolahti & Johanna Eronen & Timo Törmäkangas & Taina Rantanen & Mirja Hirvensalo & Lotta Palmberg & Heidi Skantz & Anne Viljanen & Erja Portegijs & Susanne Iwarsson & Merja Rantakokko, 2021. "Perceived Opportunities for Physical Activity and Willingness to Be More Active in Older Adults with Different Physical Activity Levels," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:6146-:d:570088
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Milla Saajanaho & Merja Rantakokko & Erja Portegijs & Timo Törmäkangas & Johanna Eronen & Li-Tang Tsai & Marja Jylhä & Taina Rantanen, 2016. "Life resources and personal goals in old age," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 195-208, September.
    2. Erja Portegijs & Kirsi E. Keskinen & Li-Tang Tsai & Taina Rantanen & Merja Rantakokko, 2017. "Physical Limitations, Walkability, Perceived Environmental Facilitators and Physical Activity of Older Adults in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-14, March.
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    1. Anna Szewczenko & Ewa Lach & Natalia Bursiewicz & Iwona Chuchnowska & Sylwia Widzisz-Pronobis & Marta Sanigórska & Klaudia Elsner & Daria Bal & Mateusz Sutor & Jakub Włodarz & Józef Ober, 2023. "Urban Therapy—Urban Health Path as an Innovative Urban Function to Strengthen the Psycho-Physical Condition of the Elderly," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-20, June.

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