title: The Influence of Weather Conditions on Outdoor Physical Activity Among Older People With and Without Osteoarthritis in 6 European Countries.
abstract: Older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) often report that their disease symptoms are exacerbated by weather conditions. This study examines the association between outdoor physical activity (PA) and weather conditions in older adults from 6 European countries and assesses whether outdoor PA and weather conditions are more strongly associated in older persons with OA than in those without the condition.
  
  
  
  The American College of Rheumatology classification criteria were used to diagnose OA. Outdoor PA was assessed using the LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data on weather parameters were obtained from weather stations.
  
  
  
  Of the 2439 participants (65-85 years), 29.6% had OA in knee, hand and/or hip. Participants with OA spent fewer minutes in PA than participants without OA (Median = 42.9, IQR = 20.0 to 83.1 versus Median = 51.4, IQR = 23.6 to 98.6; P < .01). In the full sample, temperature (B = 1.52; P < .001) and relative humidity (B = -0.77; P < .001) were associated with PA. Temperature was more strongly associated with PA in participants without OA (B = 1.98; P < .001) than in those with the condition (B = 0.48; P = .47).
  
  
  
  Weather conditions are associated with outdoor PA in older adults in the general population. Outdoor PA and weather conditions were more strongly associated in older adults without OA than in their counterparts with OA.
authors.forename: Erik J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Timmermans
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van der Pas
authors.forename: Elaine M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Dennison
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.forename: Maria Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Castell
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Denkinger
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Limongi
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Herbolsheimer
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Martínez
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Siviero
authors.forename: Rocio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Queipo
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Schaap
authors.forename: Dorly J H
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Deeg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005060:Europe; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014887:Weather
keywords: Europe; older population; osteoarthritis; outdoor physical activity