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Understanding Physical Activity Differences Among Older Adults: Validating a Proposed Typology of Physical Activity
Amanda Grimes1, Carol Kachadoorian2
1University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
Objective:
Being physically active as one ages benefits both physical and mental health and remains a public health need. A typology to understand older adults' PA level and intentions can be vital to developing strategies to promote PA.
Methods:
The researchers developed a comprehensive interview guide and interviewed adults 50 years and older (n=232) to test the validity of the four-type typology (1). Frail, (2). Ambivalent, (3). Aspiring, (4). Active).
Results:
The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Bonferonni post hoc analysis indicated that there were significant differences between types and for each PA category measured, revealing a continuum of PA levels by type and confirmed the four types within this continuum.
Discussion:
The validated typology and the associated tool can be used to identify and implement built environment improvements and interventions aimed to support PA needs of older adults.
