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Physical activities widely preferred over sedentary, among seniors

Older adults prefer to spend their time partaking in physical activities, rather than sedentary ones, according to a recently published study in Geriatric Nursing.

“Findings from this nationally representative sample of adults aged 65 or more years of age show that contrary to stereotype, older adults prefer to walk, jog, garden or play sports more than they like to watch TV, attend religious services, or travel. Staying physically active is the closest advice that gerontologists and geriatricians have to a ‘silver bullet’ to prevent and ameliorate depression, heart disease and further disability,” Sarah L. Szanton, PhD, CRNP, of the School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, and colleagues wrote.

To assess the correlation between age and preferred activities with the ability to take part in those activities, researchers evaluated data from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study. Participants (n = 5,247) were grouped into one of six age categories: 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80-84; 85-89; and 90 years and older.

Results demonstrated that physical activities were, by far, the most preferred activities among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. Walking/jogging was the most commonly favored activity, with 14% of participants aged 65 to 79 years, rating it number one. Outdoor maintenance, such as garden or yardwork, was next at 12.64%, followed by playing sports (8.91%), and other physical activities (8.73%).

Among participants aged 80 to 84 years, walking or jogging, outdoor maintenance and other physical activities were in the top 5 favored activities. Participants aged 90 years and over listed reading as their top favorite activity (11.79%).    

Between ethnicities, black participants were 40% more likely to choose a physical activity as their favorite, compared with white participants (P < .001).

Participants who rated their health as poor chose reading as the top activity. However, even among this health category, walking and outdoor maintenance remained in the top five activities. Increased odds of picking a non-physical activity were seen among disabled participants.

“City planners, clinicians and older adults can use the results of this study to further develop policies to help older adults sustain these favorite activities by designing around favorite activities. Local governments, businesses and non-profits can benefit the overall society by providing ways for older adults to safely exercise such as community centers, walking groups and Tai Chi groups,” Szanton and colleagues wrote. – by Casey Hower

Disclosures: Szanton reports receiving support from Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Faculty Scholars Program. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.