title: Physical activity barriers and enablers in older Veterans with lower-limb amputation.
abstract: Little is known about the types of physical activities that older individuals with lower-limb loss perform, correlates of regular physical activity (PA), and barriers and facilitators to PA. We conducted an exploratory study in 158 older Veterans from the Pacific Northwest with a partial foot (35%), below-knee (39%) and above-knee (26%) amputation. Ninety-eight percent of survey respondents were male, on average 65 yr of age and 15 yr postamputation; 36% of amputations were trauma-related. The most commonly reported physical activities were muscle strengthening (42%), yard work and/or gardening (30%), and bicycling (11%). Forty-three percent were classified as physically active based on weekly moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA. History of vigorous preamputation PA was positively associated with being active, while low wealth and watching ≥5 h/d of television/videos were inversely associated. While pain- and resource-related barriers to PA were most frequently reported, only knowledge-related and interest/motivation-related barriers were inversely associated with being active. Family support and financial assistance to join a gym were the most commonly reported factors that would facilitate PA. To increase PA in the older amputee population, interventions should address motivational issues, knowledge gaps, and television watching; reduce financial barriers to exercising; and consider involving family members.
authors.affiliation: Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA;
authors.forename: Alyson J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Littman
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Boyko
authors.forename: Mary Lou
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Jodie K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Haselkorn
authors.forename: Bruce J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Sangeorzan
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Arterburn
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D014728:Veterans
keywords: Veterans; activity scale; amputee intervention; barriers; exercise; facilitators; lower-limb amputation; partial foot amputation; physical activity; trauma-related amputation