Time to speed up, not slow down: A narrative review on the importance of community-based physical activity among older people
Introduction: There is now substantial evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of falls and physical disability in later life. Despite encouragement, many older adults are not accruing the health benefits of an active lifestyle. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the lite...
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Edizioni FS
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health and Social Sciences |
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| _version_ | 1832595582670077952 |
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| author | Robyn Hambrook Geoff Middleton Daniel C Bishop Lee Crust David R Broom |
| author_facet | Robyn Hambrook Geoff Middleton Daniel C Bishop Lee Crust David R Broom |
| author_sort | Robyn Hambrook |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: There is now substantial evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of falls and physical disability in later life. Despite encouragement, many older adults are not accruing the health benefits of an active lifestyle. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the literature specifically highlighting the benefits of regular physical activity (PA) for older adults in the community setting.
Methods: An exploratory, narrative review was constructed from peer-reviewed journal articles after a literature database search involving Google Scholar, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed. We considered all types of article and study design written in English language and published with a date range set between 2002 to 2018.
Results: A multitude of benefits related to the effects of physical activity with older adults were recognised in the literature search. Two overarching thematical dimensions were formed to represent the findings of this review: 1) functional ability and independence, and 2) psychological health and social connectedness. Our findings showed that community-based group exercise programmes have been found to positively enhance older adult’s physical function, improving mobility and flexibility. The primary components related to successful ageing are: 1) The absence of disease and disability, 2) the maintenance of physical and cognitive function, and 3) continued involvement in social activities.
Discussion: While the prescription and community-based programmes for older adults vary in format, structure and effectiveness, it is perhaps more important to promote the general concept of encouraging as many individuals to participate and adhere to sustained PA in later life, particularly as so many benefits are accrued from simply taking part. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f34c2e57c80b4bf282a52a07dd122214 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2499-2240 2499-5886 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | Edizioni FS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Health and Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-f34c2e57c80b4bf282a52a07dd1222142025-01-18T18:20:30ZengEdizioni FSJournal of Health and Social Sciences2499-22402499-58862020-03-015109110210.19204/2019/tmts7Time to speed up, not slow down: A narrative review on the importance of community-based physical activity among older peopleRobyn Hambrook0Geoff Middleton1Daniel C Bishop2Lee Crust3David R Broom4Masters by Research Student, School of Sport and Exercise Science, College of Social Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UKAssociate Professor, School of Sport and Exercise Science, College of Social Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UKAssociate Professor, School of Sport and Exercise Science, College of Social Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UKSenior Lecturer, School of Sport and Exercise Science, College of Social Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UKReader, Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Hall, Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield, UK.Introduction: There is now substantial evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of falls and physical disability in later life. Despite encouragement, many older adults are not accruing the health benefits of an active lifestyle. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the literature specifically highlighting the benefits of regular physical activity (PA) for older adults in the community setting. Methods: An exploratory, narrative review was constructed from peer-reviewed journal articles after a literature database search involving Google Scholar, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed. We considered all types of article and study design written in English language and published with a date range set between 2002 to 2018. Results: A multitude of benefits related to the effects of physical activity with older adults were recognised in the literature search. Two overarching thematical dimensions were formed to represent the findings of this review: 1) functional ability and independence, and 2) psychological health and social connectedness. Our findings showed that community-based group exercise programmes have been found to positively enhance older adult’s physical function, improving mobility and flexibility. The primary components related to successful ageing are: 1) The absence of disease and disability, 2) the maintenance of physical and cognitive function, and 3) continued involvement in social activities. Discussion: While the prescription and community-based programmes for older adults vary in format, structure and effectiveness, it is perhaps more important to promote the general concept of encouraging as many individuals to participate and adhere to sustained PA in later life, particularly as so many benefits are accrued from simply taking part.functional independence; non-systematic literature review; physical activity; psychological health; older adults. |
| spellingShingle | Robyn Hambrook Geoff Middleton Daniel C Bishop Lee Crust David R Broom Time to speed up, not slow down: A narrative review on the importance of community-based physical activity among older people Journal of Health and Social Sciences functional independence; non-systematic literature review; physical activity; psychological health; older adults. |
| title | Time to speed up, not slow down: A narrative review on the importance of community-based physical activity among older people |
| title_full | Time to speed up, not slow down: A narrative review on the importance of community-based physical activity among older people |
| title_fullStr | Time to speed up, not slow down: A narrative review on the importance of community-based physical activity among older people |
| title_full_unstemmed | Time to speed up, not slow down: A narrative review on the importance of community-based physical activity among older people |
| title_short | Time to speed up, not slow down: A narrative review on the importance of community-based physical activity among older people |
| title_sort | time to speed up not slow down a narrative review on the importance of community based physical activity among older people |
| topic | functional independence; non-systematic literature review; physical activity; psychological health; older adults. |
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