Author Archives: support

Researchers Identify Key Elements Associated with Successful Ageing

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A recent investigation explored the elements contributing to “successful” or optimal ageing, tracking the experiences of over 7,000 Canadians in their middle and later years across roughly three years to pinpoint the factors that bolster well-being as we age.

This research revealed that individuals more likely to sustain excellent health throughout the study and avoid debilitating cognitive, physical, or emotional issues were typically women, married, engaged in regular physical activity, maintained a healthy weight, never smoked, enjoyed higher incomes, and did not suffer from insomnia, heart disease, or arthritis.

To ensure a meaningful analysis, the study commenced with participants who were already in prime health, characterized by the absence of memory issues, chronic debilitating pain, serious mental illness, or physical disabilities that impede daily activities. Additionally, these individuals had robust social support networks and high happiness levels and were very satisfied with their lives.

Mabel Ho, the study’s lead author and a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and the Institute of Life Course and Aging, expressed both surprise and delight at discovering that over 70% of the participants retained their excellent health status throughout the study. Ho emphasized the significance of focusing on the strengths and positive aspects of ageing rather than exclusively highlighting the negative or problematic aspects commonly portrayed in media and research.

The study also noted variations in the prevalence of successful ageing based on the age of the participants at the outset. Approximately three-quarters of those aged between 55 and 64 managed to maintain their health throughout the study, whereas around half of those aged 80 and above achieved the same feat.

Highlighting the remarkable resilience and well-being among the oldest participants, Ho pointed out the encouraging implications for older adults and their families, who might otherwise brace for a steep decline in health after 80. Understanding the factors linked to successful ageing can aid in crafting supportive environments that foster a fulfilling and healthy later life.

Obesity emerged as a significant detriment to ageing well, with normal-weight older adults having a 24% higher chance of optimal ageing compared to their obese counterparts. The study corroborated previous findings about the negative impact of obesity on physical and cognitive health and underscored the importance of physical activity in ageing gracefully.

Income levels also played a crucial role, with only about half of the individuals living below the poverty line ageing optimally, in contrast to three-quarters of those above it. This gap suggests that financial constraints may limit access to healthy lifestyle choices and elevate stress levels, though further research is needed to understand this dynamic fully.

The research further established the importance of lifestyle choices, showing that older adults who never smoked were 46% more likely to maintain excellent health than current smokers. The benefits of quitting smoking later in life, such as improved survival rates and reduced respiratory symptoms, were highlighted, along with the finding that former smokers had health outcomes comparable to those who never smoked.

Physical activity was identified as a critical factor in maintaining health in later life, with those engaging in moderate to strenuous activities being significantly more likely to age well. Similarly, sound sleep was linked to a 29% higher likelihood of preserving excellent health, underscoring the value of addressing sleep issues through interventions like cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, this study utilized data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to examine the determinants of optimal ageing, focusing on respondents in prime health at the study’s commencement. This approach highlights the critical influence of health, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors on the ageing process, offering valuable insights for individuals, families, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to support a vibrant and healthy later life.

More information:Ho, M., Pullenayegum, E., Burnes, D., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2022). Successful aging among immigrant and Canadian-born older adults: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20): 13199. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013199

Journal information: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Provided by University of Toronto

Exploration of Physical Fitness Among Adults Between 50 and 64 Years Old

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Sedentary Lifestyle, Increased Waist Size, and Aging: Key Factors Linked to Lower Physical Fitness in Adults Aged 50 to 64

A comprehensive study involving more than 5,000 individuals has shed light on the significant association between sedentary behaviour, larger waist circumferences, and older age with decreased physical fitness levels among adults aged 50 to 64. This investigation into the detailed correlations reveals considerable disparities in fitness levels.

Physical fitness is crucial for sports performance and plays a significant role in the endurance needed for daily activities and maintaining an active lifestyle. Prior research has consistently demonstrated a strong link between optimal fitness levels and various health outcomes, including a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The study published in BMJ Open engaged 5,308 participants within the 50–64 age bracket, with a slight majority (51%) of women. It focused on how maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), a key fitness indicator, differs across demographic segments.

This research considered a range of factors, including sociodemographic attributes (such as age, gender, and education level), lifestyle choices, self-reported health status, body metrics, disease incidence, and levels of physical activity and sedentariness, as measured by accelerometers.

Notably, Uneven Fitness Levels Across Populations

Participants underwent a cycling fitness assessment while wearing an accelerometer to record a week’s worth of data on the frequency, duration, and intensity of their physical activity, encompassing daily movements and any specific exercise sessions.

Mats Börjesson, a Professor of Sports Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, and the study’s lead author, highlighted identifying demographic groups most at risk for low fitness levels. These groups include older individuals, those born outside of the country, individuals with lower education levels, those with larger waist circumferences, individuals reporting poor health, and people leading predominantly sedentary lifestyles with minimal engagement in vigorous physical activity, including those relying on cars or public transport for commuting.

For men, financial difficulties and a history of tobacco use were additional factors linked to reduced fitness, pointing to a skewed distribution of fitness levels across the population.

Identifying those with lower fitness levels is crucial for targeting fitness improvement initiatives or preventive health measures. Previously, such insights were often derived from smaller or more homogeneous study populations.

Invaluable Insights for Healthcare and Further Research

Elin Ekblom Bak, a research fellow in sports science at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) and the study’s corresponding author, emphasized its novelty in examining the relationship between physical activity and sedentary behaviour, as measured by an accelerometer, with fitness levels. The study independently linked sedentary lifestyles and high-intensity physical activity with lower and higher fitness levels. This research provides valuable insights for healthcare providers, future studies, and public health initiatives.

The findings are based on the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS), supported primarily by the Swedish Heart Lung Foundation. This study is a pivotal contribution to understanding how lifestyle factors influence physical fitness, offering a foundation for targeted health interventions and enhancing the general well-being of the middle-aged and older populations.

More information: Mats Börjesson University of Gothenburg, Elin Ekblom Bak
The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Correlates of cardiorespiratory fitness in a population-based sample of middle-aged adults: cross-sectional analyses in the SCAPIS study, BMJ Open. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066336

Journal information: BMJ Open Provided by University of Gothenburg