%0 Journal Article
%T A snapshot of the prevalence of physical activity amongst older, community dwelling people in Victoria, Australia: patterns across the 'young-old' and 'old-old'
%A Jane Sims
%A Keith Hill
%A Sandra Davidson
%A Jane Gunn
%A Nancy Huang
%J BMC Geriatrics
%D 2007
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1471-2318-7-4
%X A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Subjects were community dwelling older people aged ¡Ý 65 years, recruited via general practices in Victoria, Australia. Participants completed a mailed screening tool containing the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Active Australia survey and the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.Of 330 participants, 20% were ¡Ý 80 years. Activity levels were similar to those reported in population studies. The proportion of participants reporting physical activity was greatest for the walking category, but decreased across categories of physical activity intensity. The oldest-old were represented at all physical activity intensity levels. Over half reported exercising at levels that, according to national criteria are, 'sufficient to attain health benefit'. A greater proportion of participants aged 85 years and older were unaware of key physical activity messages, compared to participants aged less than 85 years.Most population surveys do not provide details of older people across age categories. This survey provided information on the physical activity of people up to 91 years old. Physical activity promotion strategies should be tailored according to the individual's needs. A better understanding of the determinants of physical activity behaviour amongst older sub-groups is needed to tailor and target physical activity promotion strategies and programs to maximise physical activity related health outcomes for older people.The WHO has emphasised the value of physical activity participation:" Physical activity is the single most useful thing that individuals can do to maintain their health and function and quality of life" [1].The estimated direct health care costs attributable to inactivity across the Australian population are about $AU377 million/annum [2]. Although physical inactivity is a problem across the lifespan, the older population accounts for a significant proportion of these costs. Older people are at increased risk for ill
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2318/7/4