Trajectories of physical activity and risk factors among Taiwanese older adults.
BACKGROUND
The significance of physical activity has been noticed. However, the dynamic change and the heterogeneity of physical activity patterns among older people are little explored.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to identify the trajectory patterns of engaging in physical activity over time and its related factors.


METHODS
Nationally representative four-wave panel data from Taiwanese older adults, gathered between 1996 and 2007, were used (n = 4,018). The participants ranged in age from 50 to 96 years old. "Being physically active" was defined as performing physical activity in sports or exercises at least three times per week and lasting for at least 30 min each time. Group-based trajectory analysis was performed for analyzing the data.


RESULTS
Four trajectory patterns were identified: inactive (47.83%), decreasing (12.21%), increasing (23.36%), and active (16.60%). Older respondents and those with more education were more likely to be active. Those respondents having more depressive symptoms, having more physical functional limitations, and having jobs were less likely to be physically active in the decreasing, increasing, and active patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
There is heterogeneity among the trajectory patterns of physical activity across time in the older adults. Different strategies of physical activity promotion for the older people should be developed by the group characteristics.
Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Villa Grand-Montfleury, Chemin du Grand-Montfleury 48, 1290, Versoix, Switzerland.
Ling-Yen
LY
Pan
Hui-Chuan
HC
Hsu
Wen-Chiung
WC
Chang
Dih-Ling
DL
Luh
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors