Experiences of Habitual Physical Activity in Maintaining Roles and Functioning among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

Physically active older adults have reduced risk of functional restrictions and role limitations. Several aspects may interrelate and influence habitual physical activity (PA). However, older adults’ own perspectives towards their PA need to be addressed. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of habitual physical activity in maintaining roles and functioning among older adult Palestinians ≥60 years.Data were collected through in-depth interviews based on a narrative approach. Seventeen participants were recruited (aged 64–84 years). Data were analyzed using a narrative interpretative method. Findings.Three central narratives were identified, “keepmoving, stay healthy,” “social connectedness, amotive to stay active,” and “adapting strategies to age-related changes.” Conclusion. Habitual physical activity was perceived as an important factor to maintain functioning and to preserve active roles in older adults.Walking was the most prominent pattern of physical activity and it was viewed as a vital tool to maintain functioning among the older adults. Social connectedness was considered as a contributing factor to the status of staying active. To adapt the process of age-related changes in a context to stay active, the participants have used different adapting strategies, including protective strategy, awareness of own capabilities, and modifying or adopting new roles.The authors thank all the participants for their valuable contributions to this study

Association between physical activity and physical functioning in community-dwelling older adults

Aim: To evaluate the association between level of physical activity (PA) and physical functioning among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A total of 176 older adults were assessed with a PA socio-cultural adapted questionnaire (PA-SCAQ), the participants were categorized into three PA groups (low, moderate and high). Physical functioning was examined by using: Hand Grip Strength (HGS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Statistical analyses were performed to determine differences between the groups according to age, gender and PA level. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine the association between the PA level and physical functioning values. Major findings: Older adults who participated in moderate-intensity aerobic PA for 150 min/week have recorded higher values of physical functioning than older adults who were classified as low physically active (p<0.001). PA levels were positively correlated with HGS and SPPB and negatively correlated with TUG (p<0.001). Conclusion: There were strong associations between higher levels of PA and levels of physical functioning (p<0.001). Moderate to high level of PA may contribute to maintain physical functioning among community-dwelling older adults.We thank all participants and centres that participated in this study. Many thanks to all colleagues of physiotherapists for their support throughout the study, especially in the recruitment process of the participants

Active Ageing a Path towards Ageing Well. Physical Functioning, Physical Activity, Falls Self-Efficacy and Social Participation in Community-Dwelling Elderly

The overall aim of this thesis was to study factors of importance for active ageing with a focus on physical functioning, physical activity, falls self-efficacy, health-related quality of life and social participation in community-dwelling elderly above 60 years old. Methods: Study I (n=108) evaluated the psychometric properties of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (Arabic version) (FES-I (Ar)) using validity and reliability testing. Study II (n=176) addressed the association between physical functioning and falls self-efficacy. Data were collected using five different tests of physical functioning and the FES-I (Ar). Study III (n=176) assessed the association between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the Physical activity socio-cultural adapted questionnaire (PA-SCAQ) and the EuroQol-5Dimensions-5Levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. Between group comparisons were based on the PA-SCAQ by dividing the participants into three Physical activity (PA) groups: low (n=74), moderate (n=85), and high (n=17). In study IV (n=17), a narrative approach was applied as a qualitative research design to explore the participants’ experiences with social roles and role reversals. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and participant observation, and analyzed using a narrative interpretative method. Results: FES-I (Ar) was found to be a comprehensible, valid, and reliable measure of the concern about falling among community-dwelling elderly. Study II showed that values of physical functioning were significantly higher in non-fallers (p <0.05). Higher physical functioning values were associated with lower incidence of falling and lower level of fear of falling. Study III revealed strong associations between higher levels of physical activity and all dimensions of health-related quality of life. Findings from study IV yielded into three central themes: health and social roles, social connectedness, and adapting to the role reversals. Conclusions and Impact: Physical functioning, physical activity, falls self-efficacy and social participation contribute to active ageing and subsequently to the process of ageing well among community-dwelling elderly. In clinical practice and in future research, the FES-I (Ar) could be used to effectively assess concern about falling in Arabic-speaking elderly persons. Maintaining and improving physical functioning influences falls self-efficacy and risk of falling. Adopting a physically active lifestyle may result in a better HRQoL in elderly persons. In this thesis, understanding the mechanism of social roles gave a better insight about the impact of social participation on the state of well-being in elderly persons. This knowledge can be used to develop health interventions that may contribute to facilitate the process of ageing well

Perspectives of Older Adults on Aging Well: A Focus Group Study

Background. With increasing number of older adults worldwide, promoting health and well-being becomes a priority for aging well. Well-being and physical and mental health are closely related, and this relation may become more vital at older ages as it may contribute to aging well. The state of well-being is a multifaceted phenomenon that refers to an individual’s subjective feelings, and exploring perspectives of older adults on aging well is developing to be an important area of research. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore perceptions on aging well among older adult Palestinians ≥60 years. Methods. A qualitative research design in the context of focus group discussions was used; seven focus groups were conducted including fifty-six participants (aged 63–81 years). Data were analyzed using a qualitative interpretative thematic approach described by Braun and Clarke. Results. Three major themes were identified, “sense of well-being,” “having good physical health,” and “preserving good mental health.” The participants perceived that aging well is influenced by positive feelings such as being joyous, staying independent, having a life purpose, self-possessed contentment, and financially secured, in addition to be socially engaged and enjoying good physical and mental health. Conclusion. This study contributes to get a better insight concerning older adults’ perspectives on aging well. Enhancing physically active lifestyle, participation in social and leisure activities, healthy eating habits, having a purpose in life, and being intellectually engaged are all contributing factors to aging well. Vital factors are to be considered in developing strategic health and rehabilitative plans for promoting aging well among older adults

Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinopharm: A Comparative Study on Post-Vaccination Antibody Titers

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) vaccines induce immunity through different mechanisms. The aim of this study is to compare the titers of specific antibodies in subjects vaccinated with either the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or the Sinopharm vaccine. This prospective observational cohort included Jordanian adults vaccinated with two doses, 21 days apart, of either of the two aforementioned vaccines. Titers were collected 6 weeks after the administration of the second dose. Overall, 288 participants were included, of which 141 were administered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while 147 were administered the Sinopharm vaccine. Remarkably, 140 (99.3%) of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients had positive IgG titers, while 126 (85.7%) of Sinopharm recipients had positive IgG (p p p = 0.002), compared with a negative effect of cardiovascular diseases (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.11–0.99; p = 0.48) on IgG titers. In conclusion, fully vaccinated recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had superior quantitative efficiency compared to Sinopharm recipients. A booster dose is supported for Sinopharm recipients, or those with chronic immunosuppressive diseases

Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinopharm: A Comparative Study on Post-Vaccination Antibody Titers

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) vaccines induce immunity through different mechanisms. The aim of this study is to compare the titers of specific antibodies in subjects vaccinated with either the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or the Sinopharm vaccine. This prospective observational cohort included Jordanian adults vaccinated with two doses, 21 days apart, of either of the two aforementioned vaccines. Titers were collected 6 weeks after the administration of the second dose. Overall, 288 participants were included, of which 141 were administered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while 147 were administered the Sinopharm vaccine. Remarkably, 140 (99.3%) of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients had positive IgG titers, while 126 (85.7%) of Sinopharm recipients had positive IgG (p &lt; 0.001). The mean titer for IgG among Pfizer-BioNTech recipients was 515.5 ± 1143.5 BAU/mL, compared to 170.0 ± 230.0 BAU/mL among Sinopharm subjects (p &lt; 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis showed that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine positively correlated with positive IgG titers (OR: 25.25; 95% CI: 3.25–196.15; p = 0.002), compared with a negative effect of cardiovascular diseases (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.11–0.99; p = 0.48) on IgG titers. In conclusion, fully vaccinated recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had superior quantitative efficiency compared to Sinopharm recipients. A booster dose is supported for Sinopharm recipients, or those with chronic immunosuppressive diseases