Lasten fyysinen aktiivisuus : Lapin ja Pohjois-Pohjanmaan 3.- ja 5.-luokkalaiset

Opinnäytetyömme tavoitteena oli saada tietoa Lapin ja Pohjois-Pohjanmaan 3.- ja 5.-luokkalaisten fyysisestä aktiivisuudesta. Työmme tarkoituksena oli selvittää, liikkuvatko lapset liikuntasuositusten mukaisesti ja näin ollen terveytensä kannalta riittävästi. Lisäksi selvitimme, kuinka paljon ja millä intensiteetillä lapset liikkuivat, sekä kuinka paljon he viettivät aikaa istuen ja makuulla valveillaoloajastaan. Työmme tulokset antavat aluekohtaista tietoa, jota voidaan hyödyntää tutkimusalueiden lasten liikkumisen kehittämisessä. Työmme oli määrällinen tutkimus, jossa tutkimustietoa kerättiin objektiivisesti liikemittareiden avulla. Liikemittarilla kerättiin tietoa lasten päivittäisestä liikkumisesta vähintään neljän päivän ajalta. Työmme aineisto pohjautuu LIITU 2016 - tutkimuksen aineistoon. Tutkimus toteutettiin keväällä 2016, ja tutkimuksemme otos koostui 394 alakouluikäisestä lapsesta. Teimme tutkimuksen yhteistyössä UKK-instituutin kanssa, ja saimme liikemittareista saadut datatiedot heiltä. Analysoimme liikemittareiden datatiedot keskimääräisten osuuksien perusteella. Tutkimustuloksemme osoittivat, että lasten liikkuminen ja paikallaanolo muuttuivat iän myötä. Sukupuolten välillä havaittiin myös eroja. Lapset viettivät noin puolet valveillaoloajastaan istuen ja makuuasennossa. Nuoremman ikäluokan lapset olivat aktiivisempia päivän aikana kuin vanhemman ikäluokan lapset. Paikallaan oloa kertyi 3.-luokkaisille vähemmän kuin 5.-luokkalaisille. Pojat viettivät enemmän aikaa paikallaan kuin tytöt, mutta myös liikkuivat reippaasti ja rasittavasti heitä enemmän. Noin puolet lapsista liikkui terveytensä kannalta riittävästi. Liikuntasuositusten toteutumisessa oli suuria eroja ikäryhmien ja sukupuolten välillä. Lasten tulisi liikkua reippaasti ja rasittavasti läpi elämän, ja heidän tulisi täyttää liikuntasuositukset. Tämä pohjautuu reippaan ja rasittavan liikkumisen terveyshyötyihin. Lasten terveydelle on parasta liikkua reippaasti päivittäin ja välttää paikallaanoloa. Passiivisuudella on todettu olevan terveydelle haitallisia tekijöitä.The aim of our thesis was to gather information about 3rd and 5th graders’ physical activity in Lapland and North Ostrobothnia. Our purpose was to study whether children exercise conforming to the physical activity guidelines as to maintain good health. In addition, we researched on how much and with what level of intensity these children moved and how much time they spent sitting and laying down while being awake. The results of our thesis provide information about regional activity habits that can be used in development of children's’ physical activity in those regions. Our thesis was a quantitative study in which the objective research data was collected by using accelerometers. The statistics of children’s daily activities were gathered with the accelerometers during four days. Our study is based on the LIITU 2016 -study. The study was conducted in collaboration with UKK institute in the spring of 2016 and 394 primary schoolers took part in it. After they gave us the data of accelerometers, we analysed results using the mediocre method. Our results indicated that the amount of activity and sedentary behaviour in children changes with age. There were also noticeable differences between genders. Children spent approximately half of their time awake in a sitting position or laying down. The children in the younger age group were less sedentary and they did more physical activities during the day than the children in the older age group. Boys spent more time being sedentary compared to girls but they also did more moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities than girls. About half of the children fulfilled the recommendations of the physical activity guidelines. There were multiple differences in the fulfilment of the physical activity guidelines between ages and genders. The children should fulfil the recommendations of physical activity. The recommendations are based on the positive health effects of moderate- and vigorous-intensity moving. Sedentary behaviour has many negative effects to health and children should reduce being sedentary

Lähiympäristön käveltävyyden yhteys ikääntyneiden henkilöiden vapaa-ajan toimintoihin osallistumiseen kodin ulkopuolella

Fyysisen ympäristön eri tekijät, kuten käveltävyys, voivat vaikuttaa ikääntyneiden henkilöiden osallistumiseen kodin ulkopuolisiin vapaa-ajan toimintoihin. Käveltävyys kuvaa ympäristön soveltuvuutta kävelyyn. Kodin ulkopuolisiin toimintoihin osallistumisen on todettu olevan yhteydessä useisiin terveyteen liittyviin tekijöihin. Tutkimustietoa ympäristön käveltävyyden ja vapaa-ajan toimintoihin osallistumisen välisestä yhteydestä on rajallinen määrä. Tämän pro gradu -tutkielman tarkoituksena oli selvittää, onko lähiympäristön käveltävyys yhteydessä vapaa-ajan toimintoihin osallistumisen useuteen ja muotoon kodin ulkopuolella. Tutkimus on osa ”Maantieteelliset piirteet ja iäkkäiden liikkuminen ulkona” (GEOage) -hankkeen ja Life-Space Mobility in Old Age (LISPE) -kohorttitutkimuksen tutkimustuloksia. Tutkimukseen osallistui 848 kotona itsenäisesti asuvaa 75–90-vuotiasta henkilöä Jyväskylän ja Muuramen alueelta. Lähiympäristön käveltävyyttä mitattiin käveltävyysindeksin avulla, joka muodostui monimuotoisen maankäytön, katuristeyksien lukumäärän ja asukasluvun pohjalta. Korkeampi indeksiluku merkitsi alueen parempaa käveltävyyttä. Vapaa-ajan toiminnot jaettiin kodin ulkopuolisiin ryhmätoimintoihin esim. kerhotoimintaan osallistuminen, kulttuurisiin ja yksin tehtäviin toimintoihin esim. teatterissa käynti sekä fyysiseen aktiivisuuteen esim. marjastus. Käveltävyyden ja vapaa-ajan toimintoihin osallistumisen välistä yhteyttä tutkittiin binäärisellä logistisella regressioanalyysillä. Taustamuuttujina olivat ikä, sukupuoli, koulutusvuodet, taloudellinen tilanne, siviilisääty, liikkumiskyky, sairauksien lukumäärä ja apuvälineiden käyttö. Eri käveltävyysalueilla asuminen oli yhteydessä ikääntyneiden henkilöiden vapaa-ajan toimintoihin osallistumiseen. Korkealla käveltävyysalueella asuvat henkilöt osallistuivat useammin kulttuurisiin ja yksin tehtäviin toimintoihin kuin matalalla käveltävyysalueella asuvat henkilöt (OR=1.59, 95 % LV = 1.11–2.28). Korkealla käveltävyysalueella asuvat henkilöt osallistuivat puolestaan harvemmin kodin ulkopuoliseen fyysiseen aktiivisuuteen kuin matalalla käveltävyysalueella asuvat henkilöt (OR=0.63, 95 % LV = 0.42–0.94). Ryhmätoimintoihin osallistuminen ei ollut tilastollisesti merkitsevästi yhteydessä asuinalueen käveltävyyteen (OR=1.30, 95 % LV = 0.93–1.81). Vapaa-ajan toimintoihin osallistuminen vaihtelee eri käveltävyysalueilla asuvien ikääntyneiden henkilöiden välillä. Kaupungin rakennettu ympäristö saattaa kannustaa ikääntyneitä henkilöitä erilaiseen osallistumiseen kuin maalaisseudun ympäristö. Lähiympäristöt tulisi luoda käyttäjäystävällisiksi, jotka kannustaisivat ikääntyneitä henkilöitä liikkumaan ja osallistumaan kodin ulkopuolella.Different factors of the physical environment, such as walkability, can enhance or restrict older people’s participation in leisure activities. Walkability depicts the environment's suitability for walking. Participation in leisure activities has been found to be related to numerous factors of health. There is a limited amount of studies concerning the relation between environment walkability and participation in leisure activities. The purpose of this master’s thesis is to investigate whether neighborhood walkability is related to frequency and type of participation in leisure activities outside the home. This study is part of the “Geographic Characteristics, Outdoor Mobility and Physical Activity of Older People” (GEOage) project and the “Life-Space Mobility in Old Age” (LISPE) cohort. The sample consisted of 848 community-dwelling older people aged 75–90 living in the municipalities of Jyväskylä and Muurame. Neighborhood walkability was measured by a walkability index. The walkability index consisted of mixed land use, street connectivity, and population density. Higher walkability index score indicated better walkability in the area. Leisure activities were divided into group activities, such as club activity, non-group cultural and other activities, such as going to the theater, and physical activity outside the home, such as berry picking. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the relationships between walkability and participation in leisure activities. Background variables were age, sex, years of education, economic situation, marital status, mobility, number of diseases and the use of medical aids. Living in areas with different walkability index was associated with older people’s participation in leisure activities. The older people who lived in areas with a high walkability index were more likely to participate in non-group and cultural activities than older people living in areas with a low walkability index (OR=1.59, 95 % Cl = 1.11–2.28). People living in areas with a low walkability index participated more frequently in physical activity outside the home (OR=0.63, 95 % Cl = 0.42–0.94). The association between walkability and participation in group activities outside the home was not statistically significant (OR=1.30, 95 % CI = 0.93–1.81). Participation in leisure activities varies between older people living in different walkability areas. The city’s built environment can encourage older people to different types of participation in activities when compared to the countryside. Therefore, the neighborhood should be made user-friendly to encourage older people to walk and participate in activities outside the home

Neighborhood walkability and older people's participation in leisure activities

Background The neighborhood environment may enhance or restrict older people's opportunities to participate in leisure activities, and thus impact quality of life. Walkability depicts the environment's suitability for walking to different destinations. Little is known concerning about the relation between environment walkability and participation in leisure activities. Our purpose was to study whether neighborhood's objective and perceived walkability were related to participation in various leisure activities outside the home. Methods Cross-sectional data of LISPE consisted of 848 community-dwelling people aged 75-90 living in the municipalities of Jyväskylä and Muurame, Finland. Participants' home addresses were geocoded, and walkability index (mixed land-use, street connectivity, and population density) was calculated using geographic information system and categorized into tertiles. From a checklist, participants chose all infrastructure-based facilitators present in their neighborhood, which draw them to outdoor mobility (e.g., good lighting, services close); the sum of these was used as an indicator of perceived walkability. Participation in leisure activities outside the home was self-reported based on frequency and classified as participation (yes/no) in group activities (≥1x/week), physical activity (≥1x/week), and non-group cultural and other activities (≥1x/month). For each leisure activity type, logistic regression models were conducted for walkability index and perceived walkability separately. Analyses were adjusted age, sex, years of education, weekly car use, walking difficulties, and number of chronic conditions. Results Logistic regression showed that the older people who lived in areas with high walkability index were more likely to participate in cultural and other activities activity at least once a month (OR = 1.64, 95% Cl = 1.14-2.36) and less likely to participate in physical activity at least once a week (OR = 0.61, 95% Cl = 0.39-0.94, fully adjusted model) than older people living in areas with low walkability index. Older people reporting higher perceived walkability participated more often in physical activity than those who reported lower walkability (OR = 1.14, 95% Cl = 1.05-1.23). Conclusions Living in the area of high walkability enhanced participation in cultural activities and decreased participation in physical activity. However, higher perceived walkability may motivate older people to be physically active. Environment which offers good infrastructure for outdoor mobility provides opportunities to participate in specific leisure activities.nonPeerReviewe

Clustering of reported activity destinations and use of active transport among older adults

Background Conducting everyday activities out-of-home may accumulate a large share of older adults' daily physical, especially if active transportation is used. Environmental features in home neighborhood may motivate for higher physical activity, but the role of features around destinations is less known. Our goal was to study 1) clustering of older adults' reported activity destinations, and 2) whether transport mode to a destination was associated with characteristics of destination clusters. Methods Data comprise AGNES study participants (901 community-dwelling people aged 75-85 years living in city of Jyväskylä, Finland; 57% women) combined with geospatial data. Using digital mapping, participants located frequently used destinations for shopping, services, and social and spiritual activities on a map, and reported transport mode (active/passive) for each. Geographic information system was used to define distance from home to each destination, to identify spatially clustered destination areas, and to assess destination areas' characteristics (urban location, intersection density, nature versatility, and the proportion of reported social/spiritual destinations of all destinations in the area). Based on their characteristics, destination areas were hierarchically categorized to area types. In mixed model, active transportation (vs. passive) was regressed for area type and adjusted for distance, car use possibility, walking difficulty in 2km, age, sex, and MMSE score. Results Of reported destinations within 2km from home (1278 destinations for 642 participants), 81% clustered spatially in 23 destination areas and 19% remained separate. Hierarchical clustering resulted three area types: 1) city centre (versatile activities and nature), 2) less serviced areas (versatile activities and less nature), 3) shopping areas (shopping/service activities and less nature). The proportion of destinations visited using active transportation was 63% in city centre, 68% in less serviced areas, 69% in shopping areas, and 56% for separate destinations outside the areas. Based on mixed model results, the odds for active transport use were higher when destinations located in city centre (OR = 4.8, 95%CI 1.3-17.0) or in shopping areas (OR = 11.9, 95%CI 2.6-55.6) compared to visiting locations outside spatially clustered destination areas. Conclusion Majority of older adults' activity destinations locate as spatially clustered. Varied destinations close to one another may promote active transport.nonPeerReviewe

Active transport to physical exercise places among older adults living in different urban zones

Purpose Motorized transport to and from places of physical exercise (PE) causes considerable amounts of carbon emissions. We study how locations of home and PE place on urban zones (UZs), reflecting options for transport modes, relate to use of active transport (AT) among older adults. No previous knowledge on the topic exists. Methods Data of AGNES study participants reporting at least one regular PE place <10 km from home (n = 819, mean 79 years, 58% women, Jyväskylä Finland) were combined with geospatial data on UZ. Using digital mapping, participants located their PE places (N = 2171) and reported transport mode (active/passive) used. Type of UZ (pedestrian/public transport/car) of participants’ home and PE places and distance from home to PE place were defined in GIS. For analyses, participants were grouped according to home UZ, shares of PE places in each UZ defined, and differences in total number of PE places and median distance tested with Kruskal-Wallis test. In each group, use of AT (vs. passive) to PE place was regressed for PE place’s UZ and distance, and adjusted for car availability, difficulty walking 2 km, age, sex, and years of education using a mixed model nested in participants. Results In all groups, participants had more PE places in their home UZ than in other UZs. Median distance to and number of PE places did not differ across groups (for both p>.05). Overall, between-participant differences explained 22 % of total variance in AT. Compared to AT to PE place in home UZ, odds for AT were higher to PE place in car zones among those living in pedestrian (OR 5.1 95%CI 1.7-15.4) and public transport zones (OR 3.6 95%CI 1.3-8.4). The odds for AT were lower to PE place in pedestrian zones among those living in public transport (OR 0.2 95%CI 0.1-0.4) or car zones (OR 0.02 95%CI 0.001-0.3). In all groups, longer distance was negatively associated with AT. Conclusions Older adults’ transport mode choices cannot be concluded from the UZ of home or PE place. Proximity to PE places is important to facilitate AT use.nonPeerReviewe

Older Adults’ Self-Reported Physical Activity and Distance to and Land Use Around Reported Physical Exercise Destinations

Little is known about older adults’ physical exercise destinations. We studied associations between physical activity (PA) level and physical exercise destinations (total number and surrounding environment) in community-dwelling 75- to 85-year-old adults living in Central Finland. Participants (N = 901) reported the amount of at least moderate-intensity PA and physical exercise destinations. Distance from home, land use, and locations of sport facilities were defined using a geographic information system. A general linear model showed that older adults with higher PA reported higher numbers of physical exercise destinations and destinations further away from home than those reporting lower PA. Binary logistic regression showed that higher PA increased the odds of reporting a distant destination identified as a sports facility and of reporting destinations located in residential, service, forest, and water body areas, respectively. Physical exercise destinations in different environments may attract older people to go out and be more physically active.peerReviewe

Neighborhood Walkability, Walking Difficulties, and Participation in Leisure Activities Among Older People : A Cross-Sectional Study and 4-Year Follow-Up of a Subsample

Objectives: To study cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between objectively assessed neighborhood walkability, walking difficulties, and participation in leisure activities among older people. Methods: Self-reported 2 km walking difficulty (intact, modifications, difficulties) at baseline and participating in organized group, outdoor recreation and cultural activities at baseline and follow-up were studied in community-dwelling persons (N = 848) aged 75–90. A walkability index, calculated using a geographic information system, was categorized into tertiles (lowest, middle, highest). Results: Residence in the highest walkability areas was associated with higher participation in cultural activities and lower participation in outdoor recreation, while the latter was most frequently reported by residents in the lowest walkability areas. Those reporting no difficulties were more likely than those reporting difficulties to participate in all studied activities. Residence in the middle or highest walkability areas predicted higher participation in cultural activities at follow-up. Discussion: Older persons activity profiles associate with neighborhood walkability and walking difficulties.peerReviewe

Older adults’ activity destinations before and during COVID-19 restrictions : From a variety of activities to mostly physical exercise close to home

The aim was to study various types of older adult's activity destinations (counts, frequency of visitation, and distance from home) in the pre-COVID-19 era, and to study prospectively how COVID-19-related regulations limiting mobility affected these. Using a map-based questionnaire, 75-85-year-old participants reported activity destinations, that is, any destinations for physical exercise, destinations facilitating one's outdoor mobility, and destinations for other activities, which they had visited several times during the past month. At baseline, a variety of activity destinations was reported, but during COVID-19, destinations reported markedly declined in number, they were reported predominantly for physical exercise, and they were located closer to home.peerReviewe