Physical Activity Across the Lifespan Janet Purath, PhD, APRN, BC Michele Shaw, PhD, RN

Objectives

o Describe physical activity levels across the lifespan and across the globe o Discuss types of physical activity o Discuss health benefits of physical activity

Importance of Changing Health Behaviors

o Shift from infectious disease to chronic and/or degenerative illnesses emphasizes the need for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention o Healthy behaviors lead to: – Increased longevity – Reduced disability rates – Better mental health and cognitive function – Lower healthcare costs

Definition and Significance

o Physical activity: – Defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. – Lack of physical activity is an independent risk factor for chronic diseases, and overall is estimated to cause 1.9 million deaths globally.

o Source: WHO: Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health

Physical Inactivity: A Global Public Health Problem

Why are people inactive?

cai.blogware.com/_photos/Smog.jpg

http://www.wcc coe.org/wcc/what/jpc/pictures/mumbai1 low.gif

Physical Activity Recommendations

o Everyone should participate in a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity every day.

o Young people are encouraged to aim for 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Modes of Physical Activity

o Lifestyle – Work – Leisure – Household o Transportation o Exercise

Types of Physical Activity

o Aerobic o Muscle strengthening o Bone Strengthening o Balance o Flexibility

Risk Populations

o Global trends in physical inactivity are of particular concern in certain high risk populations – Older adults, women and young people. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/pa/en/index.html

Older Adults

o World-wide population is aging. o By 2030, 55 countries are expected to see their 65 and older populations at least 20 percent of their total. o By 2040, the global population is projected to number 1.3 billion older people—accounting for 14 percent of the total.

Evidence of Benefits for Older Adults

o o o Improved: – – Function and quality of life Balance and strength – – Coordination and motor control Flexibility – – Endurance Mental health and cognition Decreases risk of falls More interaction with people of all ages

Sarcopenia

o Definition o Consequences – decreased in resting energy expenditure – decreased insulin sensitivity – diminished muscle strength – increased risk of disability and falls – increased risk for mortality

Recommendations

o Older adults should engage: – in moderate intensity activity at least 150 minutes or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week – in strength activities 2 or more days per week.

– in balance activity if they have risk for falls o Source: 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

Physical Activity and Women

o Why is this important?

o Benefits – Decrease in specific diseases – Improved mental health and self esteem

Barriers

Activity for Low-income and Rural Women

Physical Activity and Young People

o Why is this important?

– Active children are more likely to grow up to be active adults.

– Increased activity = positive health outcomes • Controlling weight • Decreasing blood pressure • Lessons risk of diabetes & some cancers • • Reduces asthma symptoms and severity Psycho-social benefits

Physical Activity and Young People

– All children ages 2 and older should participate in at least 30 minutes of age appropriate physical activities every day.

– 5-18 year olds should aim for a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.

Definitions for Young People

o Aerobic o Muscle Strengthening o Bone Strengthening

What activities count?

o

Moderate Intensity Aerobic Activities:

– Children: • • • Bicycle riding Walking Active recreation – Adolescents: • • • • Yard work or house work Playing games involving catching/throwing Brisk walking Active recreation

What activities count?

o

Vigorous-Intensity Aerobic Activities:

– Active games including running & chasing – Bicycling – Running – Vigorous Dancing – Sports (swimming, basketball, soccer)

What activities count?

o

Bone-Strengthening Activities:

– Jumping, hopping, skipping – Running – Jumping rope – Sports: gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, futbol

Encouraging Physical Activity Among Young People

o Adults as positive role models o Provide equipment o Encourage play with friends o Make activity part of family life o Require safety (bike helmets, wrist/knee pads, traffic issues, environmental considerations)

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/

Summary

Increasing Physical Activity across the lifespan and across the globe can significantly improve world health.

Contact Information

Michele Shaw, PhD, RN [email protected]

Janet Purath, PhD, APRN, BC [email protected]