physical activity across the lifespan janet purath, phd, aprn, bc michele shaw, phd, rn

Physical Activity Across the Lifespan

Janet Purath, PhD, APRN, BCMichele 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?

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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 Improved:– Function and quality of life– Balance and strength– Coordination and motor control– Flexibility– Endurance– Mental health and cognition

o Decreases risk of fallso 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

Recommendationso 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

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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

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

What activities count?

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)

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Summary

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

Michele Shaw, PhD, RNmichele_shaw@wsu.edu

Janet Purath, PhD, APRN, BCjpurath@wsu.edu

Contact Information