Influence of seasonal variations on physical activity in older people living in mountainous agricultural areas

Daiki Nakashima; Daisuke Kimura; Hidehiro Watanabe; Fumihiko Goto; Miki Kato; Keisuke Fujii; Eri Kasuya; Naoki Tomiyama; Ryuichi Hasegawa

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Influence of seasonal variations on physical activity in older people living in mountainous agricultural areas

VernacularTitle:Influence of seasonal variations on physical activity in older people living in mountainous agricultural areas
Author: Daiki NAKASHIMA ¹ ; Daisuke KIMURA ² ; Hidehiro WATANABE ³ ; Fumihiko GOTO ³ ; Miki KATO ³ ; Keisuke FUJII ² ; Eri KASUYA ⁴ ; Naoki TOMIYAMA ⁵ ; Ryuichi HASEGAWA ⁶
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1. Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Science, Naragakuen University, Japan
2. Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kansai University of Health Sciences, Japan
3. Department of Rehabilitation, Tokai Memorial Hospital, Japan
4. Department of Rehabilitation, Geriatric Health Services Facility Aomi, Japan
5. Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Seijoh University, Japan
6. Graduate School of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, Japan
Keywords: physical activity; seasonal variation; aged; rural health
From:Journal of Rural Medicine 2019;14(2):165-175
CountryJapan
Language:English
Abstract: Objectives: Increasing activity levels in older people is important for maintaining quality of life and ameliorating the risks of morbidity related to falls, depression, and dementia. This study aimed to clarify the seasonal variation effects on total energy expenditure, number of steps, time spent in low- and moderate- or high-intensity physical activities, and daily activities performed.Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 22 community-dwelling older individuals (3 men, 19 women; mean age, 75.1 ± 7.3 years) living in three districts of Gero, Gifu, who participated in the Gero Salon Project hosted by the Social Welfare Councils. Evaluations were conducted in each season from September 2016 to August 2017. We used a uniaxial accelerometer, the Lifecorder device, which measures physical activity, and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly to evaluate activities of daily living. Data were analyzed using the multiple comparisons (Bonferroni correction) method.Results: Total energy expenditure and time spent in moderate- or high-intensity activities did not show seasonal variations. However, the lowest number of steps was taken during the winter, and the number of steps increased significantly from winter to spring. The time spent in low-intensity physical activities was significantly longer in the spring and summer than in the winter. There was no significant seasonal difference in total Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly score, leisure activities, domestic activities, or work-related activities. However, there was a significant difference between the summer and winter scores in “outdoor gardening,” with the lowest score observed during the winter.Conclusions: With climate changes in the winter months, “outdoor gardening” becomes difficult, thus decreasing the number of steps taken. Therefore, it is necessary to identify other ways for older people to maintain physical activity during the winter season.