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Physical Activity and Physical Activity Participation Barriers Among Adults 50 Years and Older During the COVID-19
Mariana Wingood1, Denise M Peters, Nancy M Gell
1From the New England Geriatric Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts (MW, JFB); Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (MW, JFB); Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont (DMP, NMG); Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (JSB); and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (JFB).
Objective:
We examined changes in physical activity from pre-COVID-19 to during the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors associated with reduced physical activity levels among adults 50 yrs and older.
Design:
Participants of a validation study were stratified into being "less active than before" or "equally or more active than before" COVID-19. Multivariable manual backward analyses were used to identify self-reported barriers associated with the reduction in physical activity.
Results:
Reduced physical activity levels during COVID-19 were reported among 244 of 503 participants (43%). After adjusting for demographics and health conditions, factors that increased the odds of reduced physical activity levels during COVID-19 were lacking access to workout places, feeling too anxious, and difficulty committing to physical activity. Factors that decreased the odds of reduced physical activity levels during COVID-19 were self-identifying a heart- or lung-associated diagnosis that impacts physical activity and having a 12-mo retrospective history of falling.
Conclusions:
The physical activity participation barriers identified to be associated with a reduction in physical activity can be used as a starting point for a conversation regarding physical activity participation during COVID-19.
To Claim Cme Credits:
Complete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME.
Cme Objectives:
Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Describe the changes in physical activity levels among adults 50 yrs and older from pre-COVID-19 to during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) Differentiate between the COVID-19 related factors associated with reduced physical activity levels among adults 50 yrs and older and younger adults; and (3) Identify the physical activity-related factor that decreased the odds of reduced physical activity levels during COVID-19 among adults 50 yrs and older.
Level:
Advanced.
Accreditation:
The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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