Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Inactivity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Ireland

Murtagh, Elaine; Murphy, Marie; Murphy, Niamh; Woods, Catherine; Nevill, Alan; Lane, Aoife · 2015 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118293

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Summary

This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of physical inactivity among community-dwelling older adults in Ireland, addressing the public health challenges posed by rapid population ageing. As physical inactivity is a leading cause of death and increases the risk of chronic diseases, understanding its determinants is crucial for developing effective interventions. The research specifically aimed to identify individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors associated with inactivity in a nationally representative sample, filling a gap in literature regarding the Irish population. The authors conducted a secondary analysis of data from Wave 1 of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), involving 4,892 adults aged 60 and older. Physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Participants were classified as "active" if they met the "high" activity category, which aligns with WHO guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week; all others were classified as "inactive." The study examined 17 potential correlates, including demographic, health-related, social, and environmental variables. Statistical analysis employed Chi-squared tests and forced entry logistic regression to determine adjusted odds ratios (OR) for inactivity, with results stratified by gender due to significant interaction effects. The findings revealed that physical activity levels declined significantly with age, with only 18% of adults aged 75+ meeting guidelines compared to 38% of those aged 60–64. Females were more than twice as likely to be inactive as males (OR 2.20). Several factors were associated with inactivity across both genders, including older age, lower education levels, poor self-rated health, lack of car ownership, and not attending courses. However, gender significantly influenced the impact of other variables. For females, inactivity was strongly associated with living alone, retirement, poor emotional health, and residing in rural areas. Conversely, for males, cohabiting, being employed, and living in urban areas were associated with lower activity levels. Additionally, fear of falling and reported falls in the previous year were significant predictors of inactivity for both sexes. The study concludes that specific subgroups of the older Irish population, particularly older women, those with poor emotional health, and those living alone, are at heightened risk of physical inactivity. The strong gender disparities suggest that interventions must be tailored to address the unique biological, psychological, and social determinants affecting men and women differently. These findings provide a evidence base for designing targeted public health strategies to promote healthy ageing and mitigate the physiological and psychological hazards associated with an inactive lifestyle in Ireland.

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• older drivers