Physical activity, social capital and health status among older adults: a structural equation modeling analysis

Mini-Oral Presentation A3.10

Authors

  • Yoshinobu Saito Kanagawa University of Human Services
  • Yuko Oguma Keio University
  • Haruhiko Imamura Toho University
  • Takayuki Tajima Tokyo Metropolitan University
  • Sho Nakamura Kanagawa University of Human Services
  • Kaname Watanabe Kanagawa Cancer Center
  • Hiroto Narimatsu Kanagawa Cancer Center

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.451

Keywords:

Group Exercise, Social Capital, Aging, Well-Being

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have shown that not only individual physical activity but also group exercise and social capital are effective for the health status of older adults. Purpose: This study aimed to clarify how physical activity including group exercise and social capital are related to health status in older adults. Methods: The participants were 4,102 older people who belonged to the senior club in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, JAPAN. Outcomes evaluated locomotor function (0-5 points), cognitive function (0-3 points), and depression (0-5 points). Physical activity (presence or absence of group exercise, individual living activity/exercise (minutes/day), sitting time (minutes/day)), individual-level social capital (attachment, reciprocity, trust, network), individual factors (age, living alone) were used as latent variables, and structural equation modeling was performed by sex. Results: The participants’ average age (standard deviation) was 78.6 (6.5) years. High physical activity positively associated locomotor dysfunction (β= -0.25 in men, -0.65 in women) and depression (β= -0.22 in men, -0.62 in women). Only women had a positive association between high physical activity and cognitive decline (β= -0.62). High social capital positively associated cognitive dysfunction (β= -0.10 in men, -0.06 in women) and depression (β= -0.32 in men, -0.11 in women). Individual factors were found to be directly associated with all outcomes in men, but not in women. Conclusions: Physical activity including group exercise and social capital revealed that directly and indirectly positively affects the health status of older men and women. Funding: JSPS KAKENHI JP18K11055, 19H03910, KISTEC, Kanagawa prefecture.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Saito, Y., Oguma, Y., Imamura, H., Tajima, T., Nakamura, S., Watanabe, K., & Narimatsu, H. (2021). Physical activity, social capital and health status among older adults: a structural equation modeling analysis: Mini-Oral Presentation A3.10. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.451