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Outdoor gyms and physical function: A cross-sectional comparative study between active and sedentary older adults
Kleber Rodolfo Albino Ferreira1, Shirko Ahmadi2, Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho Sampaio3
1Applied Kinesiology Laboratory, School of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
|February 12, 2023
Summary
Older adults using outdoor gyms (OG) combined with walking showed better health indicators, including improved gait speed and reduced difficulty. This highlights the benefits of integrated physical activity for seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Outdoor gyms (OG) offer accessible public spaces for physical activity, particularly beneficial for older adults.
- Sedentary lifestyles in older adults are associated with various health challenges.
- Understanding the morphofunctional characteristics of older adults using OGs is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the morphofunctional characteristics of sedentary older adults with those actively using outdoor gyms.
- To investigate the impact of outdoor gym usage, with or without walking, on the health of older adults.
- To identify factors associated with improved functional capacity, such as gait speed, in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 194 older adults categorized into sedentary, outdoor gym + walking, and outdoor gym only groups.
- Collection of socioeconomic, anthropometric, body composition, and functional test data.
- Statistical analysis using ANOVA, chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regression to compare groups and identify factors related to gait speed.
Main Results:
- Sedentary older adults had lower educational levels and polypharmacy prevalence.
- Outdoor gym + walking participants exhibited reduced waist circumference, lower fat percentage, and superior gait speed.
- Outdoor gym + walking users were less likely to experience gait difficulties (<1.0 m/s) compared to the sedentary group.
Conclusions:
- Higher physical activity volume, particularly combining outdoor gym use with walking, correlates with better health indicators in older adults.
- Strength and better Timed Up and Go performance are linked to improved gait speed (>1 m/s).
- Findings support the development of targeted public policies to meet the specific needs of older adults utilizing outdoor gyms.
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