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ABSTRACT: Τhe aim of the present study was to evaluate physical activity levels of community-dwelling adults aged over 60 in Greece and find age and gender effects. Physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly Questionnaire (Washburn et al., 1993) in 486 persons (281 men and 205 women) aged 60 –90 yrs (Μ=74.6, SD= 6.82). They were assigned into three age groups: A=61-70, B=71-80, and C= 81-90 years. According to two way analysis of variance, females had significantly higher physical activity total scores when compared to males (p<.01). Men reported a greater participation in activities of moderate intensity (p<.01) and women were significantly more active in physical activities related to household and carrying for others (p<.001). Age effects in physical activity resulted in favor of older adults aged 61-70 years when compared to older adults aged 81-90 years (p<.001). Respective differences were reported for physical activities of moderate intensity (p<.05), for recreational physical activities (p<.01) and for walking (p>.01), although additional differences were reported for walking between older adults aged 71-80 years and 81-90 years. In conclusion, advancing age results to limitation of all forms of physical activities. Sex plays an important role in the type and intensity of physical activities that the elderly are involved.
Inquiries in Sport & Physical Education. 01/2006;
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ABSTRACT: The present study investigated the effect of physical activity in information processing. Participants were 48 women aged 60-75 years divided in three arithmetically equal groups. Women in the first group (Μ=69.03, SD=4.34 yrs) participated in an exercise program for at least the last nine months and their physical activity, measured using the “Baecke for older adults” questionnaire, was 16.20 ΜΕΤ (SD=2.94). A random sample was used for the selection of women with corresponding age and physical activity (M=15.46, SD=4.56 MET) in order to form the second group. The women from this sample with the lower physical activity scores (M=8.04, SD=2.21 MET) and corresponding age formed the third group. Information processing speed was assessed using three tasks requiring increasingly complex cognitive processing: simple reaction to visual stimuli, choice response time (using laboratory instruments) and digit symbol substitution test (WAIS-R). According to the results, differences between the first and second group were limited in all three tasks. Low active group scored significantly lower than high active women on simple reaction time task and in the two other tasks they scored significantly lower than the exercisers. It was concluded that participation in exercise programs has more favorable effects than the high everyday physical activity on those tasks requiring complex cognitive processing.
Inquiries in Sport & Physical Education. 01/2004;
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ABSTRACT: Idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine of unknown etiology, which is present in a remarkable percentage of school-age children. This percentage in Greece is up to 1.7%. Early rehabilitation of this deformity is very important, since its progressive trend will result to children being suffering from its unpleasant associative symptoms in adulthood. Physical exercises targeting to postural correction with the use of strengthening, flexibility, balance and coordination exercises are considered important in improving or inhibiting the progress of scoliosis. Physical exercises have also a significant contribution in improving the respiratory function and the limited working capacity in scoliosis patients. This study presents an exercise program for children and adolescents with light or mild idiopathic scoliosis, which is also applicable on the Physical Education curriculum at school. The rules, the targets and the rational for the design and application of similar programs are also described.
Inquiries in Sport & Physical Education. 01/2004;
