Elderly population of ages 65 years and above may have a sedentary lifestyle if they perceive that their life ahead to be less active.
It is known through earlier studies that fewer than 40 percent of adults aged 65 and above have a regular exercise routine, which can extend their years of independent life.A new UCLA study found that seniors with the lowest expectations for aging —that is, for what one can do at an advanced age — were the most likely to lead sedentary lifestyles. Seniors with the lowest age expectations were more than twice as likely to report engaging in less than 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity during the previous week than those with higher age expectations. The study was based on the survey responses of 636 seniors recruited from 14 Los Angeles-area community-based senior centers.
The study reveals that the low age expectation mindset may be keeping seniors from exercising
The research appears in the October issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Source: Newswise
