Perceived neighborhood environments and physical activity in an elderly sample

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Mota, J. (Author) FADEUP; Lacerda, A. (Author) Other; Santos, M. P. (Author) FADEUP; Ribeiro, J. C. (Author) FADEUP; Carvalho, J. (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: Perceptual and Motor Skills

Vol. 104 No. 2

Pages: 438-444

ISSN: 0031-5125

Publisher: SAGE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 17 Citations

Scopus - 22 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-B1B

DOI: 10.2466/PMS.104.2.438-444

Abstract (EN): Increasing evidence indicates the importance of environmental variables in explaining physical activity. This study evaluated sex differences in perception of home and neighborhood environmental support and assessed which neighborhood environmental variables were associated with reported physical activity of elderly people. A sample of 126 women (M age = 79.1 +/- 6.6 yr.) and 55 men (M age = 76.6 +/- 7.7 yr.) were healthy, community-dwelling individuals. A questionnaire about environmental variables was administered. Physical activity was assessed on the Baecke Questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis showed that Neighborhood Safety was related to total physical activity, activity in leisure time, and sport activities. Men were also likely to be more active in leisure time than women. Neighborhood Personal Safety was associated with physical activity of these elderly people, showing a potential influence of the environmental domain in physical activity.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7