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. 2022 Jul 2;19(1):16.
doi: 10.1186/s11556-022-00295-z.

"… Exercise opportunities became very important": Scottish older adults' changes in physical activity during Covid19'

Simone A Tomaz  1 , Gemma C Ryde  1 , Bridgitte Swales  1 , Kacey C Neely  1 , Federico Andreis  2 , Pete Coffee  1 , Jenni Connelly  1 , Andrew Kirkland  1 , Louise McCabe  1 , Karen Watchman  1 , Jack G Martin  1 , Ilaria Pina  1 , Anna C Whittaker  3
Affiliations

"… Exercise opportunities became very important": Scottish older adults' changes in physical activity during Covid19'

Simone A Tomaz et al. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act. .

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.

Keywords: Copula model; Exercise; GAM; Qualitative; Sedentary; Walking.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.W. is a member of Stirling Christadelphians and a Trustee for Christadelphian Care Homes which may have encouraged participation by some. The authors declare no other conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Scotland lockdown phases in summer 2020 in relation to data collection for this study. Advice comparison for persons not shielding (top) and persons advised to shield (bottom)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Parameter estimates on the outcome scale for the effect of categorical variables included in the model, by outcome (UCLA Loneliness and EQ. 5D health-related quality of life). The dashed line indicates the model intercept (the model average when everything is kept at the reference category)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Spline plots showing the estimated relationship between health-related quality of life (EQ. 5D, top) and loneliness (UCLA, bottom) with walking; the dashed line indicates the model average when all other variables are kept at the average or reference level
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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