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Gender and longitudinal changes in physical activities in later life
1Department of Human Communication, De Montfort University, Scraptoft, Leicester, UK. kmb@dmu.ac.uk
Age and Ageing
|July 17, 1999
Summary
Older men and women maintain distinct physical activity patterns as they age, with women more active indoors and men outdoors. Some activities show reduced gender differences over time.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Understanding physical activity in older adults is crucial for promoting healthy aging.
- Gender differences in lifestyle behaviors can persist into later life.
- Longitudinal data is essential for tracking changes in physical activity over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine gender disparities in habitual physical activity levels among older individuals.
- To analyze longitudinal changes in physical activity patterns across different genders.
- To identify factors influencing physical activity in aging populations.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study design was employed.
- Data was collected from a cohort of individuals aged 65 and over in Nottingham, UK.
- Physical activity was assessed using a questionnaire covering walking, shopping, indoor, outdoor, and leisure activities across three time points (1985, 1989, 1993).
Main Results:
- Both genders showed a decline in indoor and outdoor activity levels.
- Gender differences in activity levels were sustained, with women more active indoors and men outdoors.
- Activity levels in walking and shopping showed a reduction in gender disparities over the study period.
Conclusions:
- Traditional gender roles significantly influence physical activity choices in older adults.
- Temporal changes in some activities suggest a convergence of gender roles, potentially linked to life transitions.
- Interventions promoting physical activity in later life should consider these persistent gender-based patterns.