< Back to previous page
Project
Policy Research Centre on Sports 2012: sport and health among senior citizens in Flanders.
The study focusses on three objectives regarding sport, exercise and physical activity in older adults in Flanders:a.) to determine the long term impact of different exercise interventions b) to assess the degree of physical activity in elderly (70+) with special attention to the institutionalized elderly c) to design new exercise interventions for specific target group. Specific questions: a. The effect of two exercise interventions on older adults was determined in a large (N=270, 60-70yr) intervention study during the first policy research centre (2002-2006). Short term (1 yr) effects on sports participation, physical activity, physical fitness and mental wellbeing were analysed, however there is very little information about the long term effects of these interventions (5yr after the intervention). b. A big variation in physical activity has been found in the population, however the oldest age group is most at risk for inactivity. Thresholds for participation in exercise interventions must be determined. Specific exercise interventions taken into account specific needs of the target group should be determined. Therefore we will first determine physical activity patterns by means of objective and subjective methods. The physical activity patterns must be described with respect to age, fitness level, functionality and social environment. In this way specific needs and thresholds can be determined and specific exercise interventions can be designed.
Date:1 Jan 2012 → 31 Dec 2015
Keywords:exercise intervention, institutionalized, elderly, older adults, Physical activity
Disciplines:Orthopaedics, Human movement and sports sciences, Rehabilitation sciences