title: Prevalence of physical activity behaviour in older people: findings from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project and Australian national survey data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many older people lead sedentary lives. National Health Survey physical activity prevalence data provide limited coverage of the 'old old' (≥75 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project's dataset provided physical activity data for 13,420 participants. Physical activity (walking, moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities in the previous week) was measured. Data were weighted and prevalence was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of walking in DYNOPTA was similar to that in the national sample. Walking remained relatively stable until a decline among persons aged 80 years and over; moderate and vigorous activity declined in all but a minority of persons aged 70 years and over. Although DYNOPTA participants reported more physical activity than those in the contemporary national survey, the rates of sedentary behaviour were high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We require more information about the 'oldest old' (85+ years). There is great scope for increasing physical activity, even walking, among older people.
authors: Healthy Ageing Research Unit, School of Primary Health Care, Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Sims
authors: Carole L
authors: CL
authors: Birrell
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Hunt
authors: Colette
authors: C
authors: Browning
authors: Richard A
authors: RA
authors: Burns
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking
keywords: oldest old; physical activity; prevalence