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A comparison of objective physical activity, muscle strength, and depression among community-dwelling older women living in sloped versus non-sloped environments

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

To examine the relationship between the living location and outcomes of physical activity level and physical and psychological functioning in older women. The specific aim was to understand the association between living in a sloped versus non-sloped environment and these outcomes.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting and Participants

108 older women aged 65 years or older who resided in Nagasaki prefecture participated.

Measurements

Physical activity, lung function, muscle strength (hand grip and quadriceps force) and depressive symptoms were assessed objectively.

Results

In logistic regression, activity counts per day (OR 0.779, 95%CI 0.715-0.841, p<0.01), activity times per day (OR 0.821, 95%CI 0.801-0.913, p<0.01), hand grip force (OR 0.666, 95%CI 0.558-0.796, p<0.001), and depressed (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score ≥16) (OR 1.093, 95%CI 1.019-1.427, p<0.05) showed statistically significant inverse associations with living in a sloped ground.

Conclusions

Since dwelling on sloped ground was associated with negative (lower physical activity levels, lower grip strength, and more depression) outcomes, a comprehensive geriatric assessment, related to all aspects of older women, is recommended. Planning of home exercise programs for the elderly should take such environmental factors into consideration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8520, Japan

    Takako Tanaka, K. Tanaka, K. Suyama, S. Honda, H. Senjyu & R. Kozu

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  1. Takako Tanaka
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  2. K. Tanaka
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  3. K. Suyama
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  4. S. Honda
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  6. R. Kozu
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Correspondence to Takako Tanaka.

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Tanaka, T., Tanaka, K., Suyama, K. et al. A comparison of objective physical activity, muscle strength, and depression among community-dwelling older women living in sloped versus non-sloped environments. J Nutr Health Aging 20, 520–524 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0602-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0602-0

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