“… Exercise opportunities became very important”: Scottish older adults’ changes in physical activity during Covid19’

Simone A. Tomaz; Gemma C. Ryde; Bridgitte Swales; Kacey C. Neely; Federico Andreis; Pete Coffee; Jenni Connelly; Andrew Kirkland; Louise McCabe; Karen Watchman; Jack G. Martin; Ilaria Pina; Anna C. Whittaker

doi:10.1186/s11556-022-00295-z

“… Exercise opportunities became very important”: Scottish older adults’ changes in physical activity during Covid19’

Simone A. Tomaz, Gemma C. Ryde, Bridgitte Swales, Kacey C. Neely, Federico Andreis, Pete Coffee, Jenni Connelly, Andrew Kirkland, Louise McCabe, Karen Watchman, Jack G. Martin, Ilaria Pina, Anna C. Whittaker

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Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore perceived changes in physical activity (PA) due to Covid19 stay-at-home and social distancing guidance among older adults.

Methods: Participants (n = 1429, 77% female, 84% ≥60 years) living in Scotland completed an online survey in Summer 2020 measuring PA and wellbeing (indexed through loneliness, and health-related quality of life). The survey included open- and closed-ended questions about how these variables changed in response to Covid19 social distancing and ‘shielding’ guidelines.

Results: From the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the majority reported high volumes of PA, indicative of being ‘moderately’ or ‘highly’ active. When asked specifically about strength training, 12% reported engagement on ≥2d/wk. Most participants reported that PA had changed during this time, citing reduced use of exercise facilities, increased active travel, and online PA classes; although only 16% reported engaging in PA online.

Conclusions: Higher levels of PA were found to be associated with better health-related quality of life. Additional efforts should be made to support PA engagement in older adults, including strength training and other tailored approaches to support individual needs.

Original language	English
Article number	16
Journal	European Review of Aging and Physical Activity
Volume	19
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-022-00295-z
Publication status	Published - 2 Jul 2022

Keywords

Copula model
Exercise
GAM
Qualitative
Sedentary
Walking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geriatrics and Gerontology

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Tomaz, S. A., Ryde, G. C., Swales, B., Neely, K. C., Andreis, F., Coffee, P., Connelly, J., Kirkland, A., McCabe, L., Watchman, K., Martin, J. G., Pina, I., & Whittaker, A. C. (2022). “… Exercise opportunities became very important”: Scottish older adults’ changes in physical activity during Covid19’. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 19, Article 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-022-00295-z

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title = "“… Exercise opportunities became very important”: Scottish older adults{\textquoteright} changes in physical activity during Covid19{\textquoteright}",

abstract = "Background: The purpose of this study was to explore perceived changes in physical activity (PA) due to Covid19 stay-at-home and social distancing guidance among older adults.Methods: Participants (n = 1429, 77% female, 84% ≥60 years) living in Scotland completed an online survey in Summer 2020 measuring PA and wellbeing (indexed through loneliness, and health-related quality of life). The survey included open- and closed-ended questions about how these variables changed in response to Covid19 social distancing and {\textquoteleft}shielding{\textquoteright} guidelines. Results: From the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the majority reported high volumes of PA, indicative of being {\textquoteleft}moderately{\textquoteright} or {\textquoteleft}highly{\textquoteright} active. When asked specifically about strength training, 12% reported engagement on ≥2d/wk. Most participants reported that PA had changed during this time, citing reduced use of exercise facilities, increased active travel, and online PA classes; although only 16% reported engaging in PA online.Conclusions: Higher levels of PA were found to be associated with better health-related quality of life. Additional efforts should be made to support PA engagement in older adults, including strength training and other tailored approaches to support individual needs.",

keywords = "Copula model, Exercise, GAM, Qualitative, Sedentary, Walking",

author = "Tomaz, {Simone A.} and Ryde, {Gemma C.} and Bridgitte Swales and Neely, {Kacey C.} and Federico Andreis and Pete Coffee and Jenni Connelly and Andrew Kirkland and Louise McCabe and Karen Watchman and Martin, {Jack G.} and Ilaria Pina and Whittaker, {Anna C.}",

note = "Funding Information: The authors would like to thank all participants for their participation and would like to acknowledge the networks who helped disseminate the survey: AgeScotland, Christadelphian Care Homes, Quarriers Carer Support Service (Moray), Walking Football Scotland, The Church of Scotland, Forth Valley U3A, Let{\textquoteright}s Get On With It Together (LGOWIT; a project hosted by the Highland Third Sector Interface), Get2gether, Alzheimer Scotland, Scottish Commission for Learning Disability, Down{\textquoteright}s Syndrome Scotland, NDCAN (National Dementia Carers Action Network), Cornerstone Community Church Stirling, Stirling Carers, Stirling Christadelphians, Roar – Connections for Life, CLASP Digital. Funding Information: Funding Source: This project was supported by a Chief Scientist Office Rapid Response Covid19 grant COV/STG/20/08. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022, The Author(s).",

year = "2022",

month = jul,

day = "2",

doi = "10.1186/s11556-022-00295-z",

language = "English",

volume = "19",

journal = "European Review of Aging and Physical Activity",

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publisher = "Springer",

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Tomaz, SA, Ryde, GC, Swales, B, Neely, KC, Andreis, F, Coffee, P, Connelly, J, Kirkland, A, McCabe, L, Watchman, K, Martin, JG, Pina, I & Whittaker, AC 2022, '“… Exercise opportunities became very important”: Scottish older adults’ changes in physical activity during Covid19’', European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, vol. 19, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-022-00295-z

TY - JOUR

T1 - “… Exercise opportunities became very important”: Scottish older adults’ changes in physical activity during Covid19’

AU - Tomaz, Simone A.

AU - Ryde, Gemma C.

AU - Swales, Bridgitte

AU - Neely, Kacey C.

AU - Andreis, Federico

AU - Coffee, Pete

AU - Connelly, Jenni

AU - Kirkland, Andrew

AU - McCabe, Louise

AU - Watchman, Karen

AU - Martin, Jack G.

AU - Pina, Ilaria

AU - Whittaker, Anna C.

N1 - Funding Information: The authors would like to thank all participants for their participation and would like to acknowledge the networks who helped disseminate the survey: AgeScotland, Christadelphian Care Homes, Quarriers Carer Support Service (Moray), Walking Football Scotland, The Church of Scotland, Forth Valley U3A, Let’s Get On With It Together (LGOWIT; a project hosted by the Highland Third Sector Interface), Get2gether, Alzheimer Scotland, Scottish Commission for Learning Disability, Down’s Syndrome Scotland, NDCAN (National Dementia Carers Action Network), Cornerstone Community Church Stirling, Stirling Carers, Stirling Christadelphians, Roar – Connections for Life, CLASP Digital. Funding Information: Funding Source: This project was supported by a Chief Scientist Office Rapid Response Covid19 grant COV/STG/20/08. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).

PY - 2022/7/2

Y1 - 2022/7/2

N2 - Background: The purpose of this study was to explore perceived changes in physical activity (PA) due to Covid19 stay-at-home and social distancing guidance among older adults.Methods: Participants (n = 1429, 77% female, 84% ≥60 years) living in Scotland completed an online survey in Summer 2020 measuring PA and wellbeing (indexed through loneliness, and health-related quality of life). The survey included open- and closed-ended questions about how these variables changed in response to Covid19 social distancing and ‘shielding’ guidelines. Results: From the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the majority reported high volumes of PA, indicative of being ‘moderately’ or ‘highly’ active. When asked specifically about strength training, 12% reported engagement on ≥2d/wk. Most participants reported that PA had changed during this time, citing reduced use of exercise facilities, increased active travel, and online PA classes; although only 16% reported engaging in PA online.Conclusions: Higher levels of PA were found to be associated with better health-related quality of life. Additional efforts should be made to support PA engagement in older adults, including strength training and other tailored approaches to support individual needs.

AB - Background: The purpose of this study was to explore perceived changes in physical activity (PA) due to Covid19 stay-at-home and social distancing guidance among older adults.Methods: Participants (n = 1429, 77% female, 84% ≥60 years) living in Scotland completed an online survey in Summer 2020 measuring PA and wellbeing (indexed through loneliness, and health-related quality of life). The survey included open- and closed-ended questions about how these variables changed in response to Covid19 social distancing and ‘shielding’ guidelines. Results: From the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the majority reported high volumes of PA, indicative of being ‘moderately’ or ‘highly’ active. When asked specifically about strength training, 12% reported engagement on ≥2d/wk. Most participants reported that PA had changed during this time, citing reduced use of exercise facilities, increased active travel, and online PA classes; although only 16% reported engaging in PA online.Conclusions: Higher levels of PA were found to be associated with better health-related quality of life. Additional efforts should be made to support PA engagement in older adults, including strength training and other tailored approaches to support individual needs.

KW - Copula model

KW - Exercise

KW - GAM

KW - Qualitative

KW - Sedentary

KW - Walking

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U2 - 10.1186/s11556-022-00295-z

DO - 10.1186/s11556-022-00295-z

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C2 - 35780094

SN - 1813-7253

VL - 19

JO - European Review of Aging and Physical Activity

JF - European Review of Aging and Physical Activity

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ER -

“… Exercise opportunities became very important”: Scottish older adults’ changes in physical activity during Covid19’

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