Physical activity and physical fitness according to loneliness levels in adults 50+

Authors

  • Simão Pedro-Costa Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports, Lusófona University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9808-0306
  • Aoife Hiney INET- md, University of Aveiro; Higher School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto. Higher School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0824-5227
  • Arnaldina Sampaio Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports, Lusófona University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3644-2946
  • José Pedro Guimarães Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports, Lusófona University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5697-8003
  • Lucimere Bohn Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports, Lusófona University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7988-968X
  • Inês Marques-Aleixo Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports, Lusófona University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3438-0868

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.27e0276

Keywords:

Loneliness scale, Sedentary lifestyle, International physical activity questionnaire, Senior fitness test

Abstract

Loneliness is a perception of dissatisfaction that seems to be the result of a lack of significant relationships, with multiple potential causal factors. The current body of research is not conclusive in relation to the link between loneliness and physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) in adults and seniors. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to characterize PA and PF according to levels of loneliness (Social Isolation versus Affinities). The 62 Portuguese individuals (64.68 ± 6.85 years; 68% women) were assessed for loneliness (University of California Los Angeles 16-item Loneliness Scale - UCLA-16). and classified in Social Isolation or Affinities, i.e., presence of significant social relationships. PA was estimated using a questionnaire (International PA Questionnaire - Short Version - IPAQ-SV) and PF was evaluated using the Senior Fitness Test (upper and lower body strength, upper and lower body flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, agility and dynamic balance). Descriptive statistics were used. The comparison between groups was performed using parametric (t-test, ANCOVA adjusted to sex and chi-square) and non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney). The prevalence of social isolation was 53%. The individuals of the Affinities group spent more minutes per day on moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than the individuals of the Social Isolation group (0.00 [0.00 – 12.86] versus 11.43 [0.00 – 17.14] minutes, respectively; p = 0.041). After adjusting for sex, the differences were no longer significant. Loneliness groups were not different in relation to PF. PA appears to contribute to a better mental profile in adults and seniors. The results should be confirmed through studies with larger samples.

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Author Biographies

Aoife Hiney, INET- md, University of Aveiro; Higher School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto. Higher School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto

Aoife Hiney completed a PhD in Music (2017) and a Masters in Music (Performance – Choir Direction, 2012) at the University of Aveiro (UA). She has an Honors Degree in Music Education from Trinity College, Dublin (2007). She is currently an adjunt professor at the Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, an assistant professor at the UA and an integrated researcher at INET-md/UA, where she works specifically on the SOMA project (Sons and Memories of Aveiro) and at LABEAMUS - Laboratory for the Teaching and Learning of Music at the University of Aveiro.

Arnaldina Sampaio, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports, Lusófona University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Arnaldina Sampaio is currently a Professor at the Lusófona University of Porto and Country Manager of the Siel Bleu Association in Portugal. She was a PhD researcher in the "Body and Brain" Project at the Research Center for Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL). She holds a PhD in Physical Activity and Health from the Faculty of Sports of the University of Porto. He develops his research on the relationship between dementia/physical activity programs, in institutional and community environments. His interests are centered on the design, implementation and dissemination of exercise programs for the elderly, namely those with dementia.

José Pedro Guimarães, Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports, Lusófona University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

José Pedro dos Santos Guimarães completed his PhD in Educación, Deporte y Salud in 2019 at the University of Vigo - Campus de Pontevedra. Completed the Master's in Physical Education Teaching in Basic and Secondary Education in 2012 by the Instituto Universitário da Maia and the Degree in Physical Education and Sports in 2007 by the same institution. He is currently Assistant Professor and Sub-director 1st Cycle in Physical Education and Sport at Universidade Lusófona do Porto. He works in the field of Medical and Health Sciences with an emphasis on Sports Science.

Lucimere Bohn, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports, Lusófona University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Lucimere Bohn completed a PhD in Physical Activity and Health in 2017, a Masters in Physical Activity for Seniors in 2010 and a Degree in Physical Education and Sports in 2006 from the University of Porto Faculty of Sports. She is a researcher at the Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure of the Faculty of Sports of the University of Porto and at the Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (CIAFEL-ITR). She is Assistant Professor and Director of the Masters in Exercise and Health at the Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport, Universidade Lusófona do Porto. He has published more than 20 articles in specialized magazines. He was part of research teams in European-funded Research projects.

Inês Marques-Aleixo, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports, Lusófona University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Inês Marques Aleixo completed her PhD in Physical Activity and Health in 2014, a Masters in Physical Activity and Health in 2008, a Masters in Adapted Physical Activity in 2009 and a Degree in Physical Education and Sports in 2006 from the University of Porto Faculty of Sports. She is Assistant Professor and Director of the Degree in Physical Education and Sport at the Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport, Universidade Lusófona do Porto. He has published more than 28 articles in specialized journals. Participated as a Doctoral Fellow in 1 project, Research Fellow in 4 projects, Post-Doctoral Fellow in 1 project and Researcher in 3 projects. He works in the areas of Medical and Health Sciences with an emphasis on Sports Sciences.

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Published

2022-10-24

How to Cite

1.
Pedro-Costa S, Hiney A, Sampaio A, Guimarães JP, Bohn L, Marques-Aleixo I. Physical activity and physical fitness according to loneliness levels in adults 50+. Rev. Bras. Ativ. Fís. Saúde [Internet]. 2022 Oct. 24 [cited 2024 Jul. 3];27:1-7. Available from: https://rbafs.org.br/RBAFS/article/view/14885

Issue

Vol. 27 (2022)

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Original Articles

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