Citation

Arnadottir SA, Einarsdottir L, Sigurdardottir AK. Int. J. Circumpolar Health. 2022; 81(1): e2084818.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, International Union for Circumpolar Health, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/22423982.2022.2084818

PMID

35702870

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate late-life physical functioning and lifetime history of physical activity (PA) among older adults in rural and urban Arctic communities. Data was collected in a cross-sectional, population-based study among 65 to 92-year-old community-dwelling Icelanders (N = 175, 41% ≥75-year-old, 43% women, 40% rural). Late-life physical functioning was operationalised as: basic mobility (Timed Up and Go in seconds, TUG); fall risk (TUG≥12 sec); a fall (≥1 fall/year); and recurrent falls (≥2 falls/year). PA history was based on a self-assessment. Compared to urban participants, rural participants were more likely to have fallen recently, be at fall risk, and describe more PA history. Among urban participants, no fall in the past year was independently associated with more PA in middle adulthood; and worse basic mobility and late-life fall risk were independently associated with being in the ≥75-year-old group. Among rural participants, recurrent falls were independently associated with being a man; and better basic mobility was independently associated with more PA in late adulthood. To conclude, this evidence supports an important association between better late-life physical functioning and more mid- and late-life PA and encourages further research to understand high fall risk among older men in Arctic rural areas.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Aged; Humans; Female; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Aged, 80 and over; Exercise; accidental falls; *Accidental Falls; *Independent Living; Basic mobility; Geriatric Assessment; healthy ageing; Iceland/epidemiology; physical exertion; residence characteristics; rural health