Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Rural-Living Older Adults

This cross-sectional, observational study examined whether objectively measured physical activity (PA) and specific activities are associated with loneliness and social isolation (SI) in rural-living older adults. A total of 112 participants (Mage = 72.8 [SD = 6.6], 51.8% female) from 23 villages in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, completed questionnaires, 7-day accelerometry, and activity diaries. Regression analysis was used to test associations between objectively measured light PA, moderate to vigorous PA, and total PA; loneliness; and SI from family, neighbors, or friends and to explore these associations using specific activities. Daily mean light, moderate to vigorous, and total PA were not associated with loneliness or SI. Volunteering, accompanying others, and sports/exercise were associated with lower SI from neighbors (odds ratio = 0.23, 95% CI [0.06, 0.91]), family (odds ratio = 0.39, 95% CI [0.22, 0.68]), and friends (odds ratio = 0.56, 95% CI [0.33, 0.97]), respectively. There were no associations between loneliness, SI, and objectively measured PA. The contribution of PA to loneliness and SI needs to be further investigated with larger and diverse samples of rural-living older adults

Quality of life in the fourth age: Exercise experiences of nursing home residents

Life in the Fourth Age has been typified as a time of continued functional decline and reduced quality of life. Exercise might positively affect this experience. This study explored the exercise experiences of nursing home residents age 86–99 years who participated in a 6-month exercise intervention. An interpretive phenomeno-logical approach was adopted. Twenty-one interviews were held with 14 residents at baseline and 7 residents at follow-up. Although their expectations were initially conservative, by the end of the intervention participants noted improved quality of life through better mobility, decreased fear of falling, and feelings of achievement and success. They valued the program as an opportunity to do something for themselves, to add something to their weekly routine, to meet other people, and to be more active generally. The professionalism of the exercise instructor appears to have been critical, balancing principles of safe and effective practice with the need to ensure that participants had fun in a supportive environment.</jats:p

Sport identification, moral perceptions and collective action: A study with young football players

We conducted a cross-sectional study investigating whether sport identification predicts different forms of collective action intentions aimed to redress the unfavourable condition faced by disadvantaged individuals. In doing so, moral perceptions (moral convictions, moral violation and moral obligation) were tested as mediators. Participants were young football players from the grassroots of a professional Italian club (N = 111). Results revealed that sport identification was indirectly associated with greater willingness to engage in both normative and non-normative solidarity-based collective action via stronger moral obligation perceptions; moral convictions mediated the relationship between sport identification and normative collective action, while no mediation effects emerged for moral violation. We discuss findings in relation to collective action and sport research

Perceptions of Group-Based Walks and Strategies to Inform the Development of an Intervention in Retirement Villages: Perspectives of Residents and Village Managers.

The aim of the present study was explore perceptions of group-based walking and gather suggestions to inform the development of a group-based walking intervention among older adults in retirement villages. Twenty-four physically inactive residents (16 female, 8 male; age range: 69-88) and 4 managers from four retirement villages were interviewed. Inductive thematic analysis revealed 6 broad themes: lack of motivation, values versus constraints, fears and confidence, need for structure, creating a sense of belonging, and the physical environment as a double-edged sword. Proposed intervention strategies included using trained walk leaders, using small groups, planning for flexibility, setting attainable goals, creating a routine, creating opportunities for sharing experiences, and planning a variety of walks. Group-based walking programs may be used to promote physical activity but careful planning of such programs is needed in order to make it appealing and feasible to a diverse group of residents

Processes of behavior change and weight loss in a theory-based weight loss intervention program: A test of the process model for lifestyle behavior change

© 2015 Gillison et al. Background: Process evaluation is important for improving theories of behavior change and behavioral intervention methods. The present study reports on the process outcomes of a pilot test of the theoretical model (the Process Model for Lifestyle Behavior Change; PMLBC) underpinning an evidence-informed, theory-driven, group-based intervention designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity for people with high cardiovascular risk. Methods: 108 people at high risk of diabetes or heart disease were randomized to a group-based weight management intervention targeting diet and physical activity plus usual care, or to usual care. The intervention comprised nine group based sessions designed to promote motivation, social support, self-regulation and understanding of the behavior change process. Weight loss, diet, physical activity and theoretically defined mediators of change were measured pre-intervention, and after four and 12 months. Results: The intervention resulted in significant improvements in fiber intake (M between-group difference = 5.7 g/day, p < .001) but not fat consumption (-2.3 g/day, p = 0.13), that were predictive of weight loss at both four months (M between-group difference = -1.98 kg, p < .01; R2 = 0.2, p < 0.005), and 12 months (M difference = -1.85 kg, p = 0.1; R2 = 0.1, p < 0.01). The intervention was successful in improving the majority of specified mediators of behavior change, and the predicted mechanisms of change specified in the PMBLC were largely supported. Improvements in self-efficacy and understanding of the behavior change process were associated with engagement in coping planning and self-monitoring activities, and successful dietary change at four and 12 months. While participants reported improvements in motivational and social support variables, there was no effect of these, or of the intervention overall, on physical activity. Conclusions: The data broadly support the theoretical model for supporting some dietary changes, but not for physical activity. Systematic intervention design allowed us to identify where improvements to the intervention may be implemented to promote change in all proposed mediators. More work is needed to explore effective mechanisms within interventions to promote physical activity behavior

Following the best of us to help them: Group member prototypicality and collective action

While considering the role of group-level factors as predictors of collective action, research has overlooked the role of group prototypes in determining willingness to engage in collective action. To begin to investigate this area, we conducted two correlational studies (Ns = 141 and 98) in high schools examining the association between prototypical ingroup members’ desire to engage in collective action and participants’ collective action on behalf of a disadvantaged group (immigrants). Results showed a positive association between these two variables. We also investigated boundaries of this effect, finding that the association emerged when participants lacked personal experiences with the disadvantaged group (cross-group friendships; Study 1) or identified more with their ingroup, an effect also found when including a behavioral measure of collective action (Study 2). Intentions to follow the prototypical ingroup member emerged as the mediator (Study 2). It is worth noting that our methodology allowed us to assess prototypicality in a naturalistic context by calculating a metacontrast ratio for each group member, in line with self-categorization theory’s conceptualization of prototypicality. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications, with reference to the role of prototypicality as a means of social influence and to developing social norms in the context of collective action

Effects of Acetate on Cation Exchange Capacity of a Zn-Containing Montmorillonite:Physicochemical Significance and Metal Uptake

Fundamental properties such as cation exchange capacity (CEC), permanent charge, pH(PZC), and metal uptake of a Zn-containing montmorillonite are modified, in a predictable manner, by a mild chemical treatment using acetate. Acetate treatment allows a controllable increase of the CEC of montmorillonite up to 180 mequiv/100 g. The CEC of the clay is increasing for decreasing Zn content, with a slope of Delta[Zn/Delta[CEC] approximate to -2. X-ray powder diffraction analysis shows that the lamellar structure of the clay remains unaltered by the acetate treatment, while XPS substantiates the removal of Zn. H(+) uptake data show that the intrinsic protonation pK values and concentration of the variable charge sites ( SOH) are not modified by the acetate treatment. In contrast, the concentration of the permanent charge sites ( X(-)) increased linearly with Zn removal by acetate, leading to a significant H(+) and Cd(2+) uptake enhancement. A physical model is suggested where acetate removes Zn ions strongly bound in the clay, and this in turn modulates the permanent charge and the CEC of the clay

The Analytical and Clinical Validity of the pfSTEP Digital Biomarker of the Susceptibility/Risk of Declining Physical Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this record. The data presented in this study are available on request from Afroditi Stahti (REACT dataset) and Max Western (DAPPA dataset). The data are not publicly available due to privacy protection.Measures of stepping volume and rate are common outputs from wearable devices, such as accelerometers. It has been proposed that biomedical technologies, including accelerometers and their algorithms, should undergo rigorous verification as well as analytical and clinical validation to demonstrate that they are fit for purpose. The aim of this study was to use the V3 framework to assess the analytical and clinical validity of a wrist-worn measurement system of stepping volume and rate, formed by the GENEActiv accelerometer and GENEAcount step counting algorithm. The analytical validity was assessed by measuring the level of agreement between the wrist-worn system and a thigh-worn system (activPAL), the reference measure. The clinical validity was assessed by establishing the prospective association between the changes in stepping volume and rate with changes in physical function (SPPB score). The agreement of the thigh-worn reference system and the wrist-worn system was excellent for total daily steps (CCC = 0.88, 95% CI 0.83-0.91) and moderate for walking steps and faster-paced walking steps (CCC = 0.61, 95% CI 0.53-0.68 and 0.55, 95% CI 0.46-0.64, respectively). A higher number of total steps and faster paced-walking steps was consistently associated with better physical function. After 24 months, an increase of 1000 daily faster-paced walking steps was associated with a clinically meaningful increase in physical function (0.53 SPPB score, 95% CI 0.32-0.74). We have validated a digital susceptibility/risk biomarker-pfSTEP-that identifies an associated risk of low physical function in community-dwelling older adults using a wrist-worn accelerometer and its accompanying open-source step counting algorithm.Alan Turing Institut