Profiles of physical activity in older adults: Project OPAL (Older people and active living)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Sch of App Community and Health Studies
Abstract
The recent Chief Medical Officer’s report established that physical activity is effective in reducing risk of disease and maintaining physical and mental function in later life. We know surprisingly little about the patterns of physical activity in older people and their determinants, although national surveys indicate that over 80% are insufficiently active for health. This research combines expertise in human geography, neighbourhood sociology, health psychology and exercise physiology to document physical activity patterns and their environmental and social determinants in urban dwelling older people. The participants are men and women aged 70 or over living in neighbourhoods of different levels of social deprivation and amenity provision. Physical activity patterns and levels are assessed using accelerometry, global positioning technology, and self-report. Questionnaires and interviews help us determine purposes of journeys, food purchasing habits, perceptions of neighbourhoods, barriers to activity and levels of mental well-being. Tests of functionality and tasks of daily living are undertaken to explore links with activity and life quality. Using geographical information systems, the influence of local amenities and services on patterns of movement is estimated. We believe that this multidisciplinary ecological approach will provide a unique vision and help provide vital information for directing public health initiatives.
Technical Summary
The recent Chief Medical Officer?s report on activity and health established that physical activity is effective in reducing risk of disease and maintaining physical and mental function in later life. We know very little about the levels, modes and patterns of physical activity in older people although national surveys indicate that over 80% are insufficiently active for health. Neighbourhoods are becoming less conducive to walking and cycling, with greater reliance on motorised transport, loss of local amenities and increased concerns for safety. We have a strong track record of funded research (NIH, CRUK, NHS, Diabetes UK) in many aspects of activity and health including our EU Better Ageing project, and BHF and CABE work on the effects of the changing environment on physical activity. From this, we propose to bring together expertise in human geography, neighbourhood sociology, exercise physiology, and primary care in order to document physical activity patterns and their environmental and social determinants in urban dwelling older people.
The focus will be men and women aged 70 or over living in neighbourhoods of different levels of social deprivation and amenity provision. Physical activity will be assessed using accelerometry, global positioning technology, which allow the objective assessment of levels and patterns of movement across time and space. Spheres of activity will be meshed with local land use data using geographical information systems to plot the influence of local amenities and services on patterns of movement. Questionnaires will be administered, and focus groups and interviews conducted to establish a) perceptions of older people about the influence of characteristics of the neighbourhood such as safety, risk, distance from recreational spaces, shops and other services, transport, housing, and social connectedness on their activity, and b) the effects of activity on psychological well-being and life quality. Tests of functionality and tasks of daily living will be undertaken to explore the links with activity,well-being and life quality. We believe that this multidisciplinary ecological approach will provide a unique vision that will help provide vital foundational information for directing public health initiatives.
The focus will be men and women aged 70 or over living in neighbourhoods of different levels of social deprivation and amenity provision. Physical activity will be assessed using accelerometry, global positioning technology, which allow the objective assessment of levels and patterns of movement across time and space. Spheres of activity will be meshed with local land use data using geographical information systems to plot the influence of local amenities and services on patterns of movement. Questionnaires will be administered, and focus groups and interviews conducted to establish a) perceptions of older people about the influence of characteristics of the neighbourhood such as safety, risk, distance from recreational spaces, shops and other services, transport, housing, and social connectedness on their activity, and b) the effects of activity on psychological well-being and life quality. Tests of functionality and tasks of daily living will be undertaken to explore the links with activity,well-being and life quality. We believe that this multidisciplinary ecological approach will provide a unique vision that will help provide vital foundational information for directing public health initiatives.
Publications
Davis MG
(2011)
Getting out and about in older adults: the nature of daily trips and their association with objectively assessed physical activity.
in The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity
Davis MG
(2014)
Objectively measured sedentary time and its association with physical function in older adults.
in Journal of aging and physical activity
Davis MG
(2011)
Objectively measured physical activity in a diverse sample of older urban UK adults.
in Medicine and science in sports and exercise
De Koning JL
(2015)
Similarities and Differences in the Determinants of Trips Outdoors Performed by UK Urban- and Rural-Living Older Adults.
in Journal of aging and physical activity
Fox KR
(2011)
Neighbourhood deprivation and physical activity in UK older adults.
in Health & place
Stathi A
(2012)
Determinants of neighborhood activity of adults age 70 and over: a mixed-methods study.
in Journal of aging and physical activity
Stathi Afroditi
(2012)
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASING DAILY ACTIVITY IN OLDER AGE
in JOURNAL OF AGING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
| Description | House of Lords Enquiry on Health Behaviour Change |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Gave evidence to a government review |
| Description | Member of obesity strategy advisory team for the Department of Health (Fox) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in advisory committee |
| Description | UK Guidelines for Physical Activity Task force and writing team |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guidance committee |
| Impact | Results from OPAL have been fed into decision making about recommended activity for older adults. Published June 2011. Fox who is PI on OPAL was main author for the section on guidelines for physical activity of older people. Real examples from OPAL participants were used to illustrate. This document will influence physical activity promotion for older adults through key charities and stake holders. |
| Description | Lifelong Health and Well-Being |
| Amount | £38,446 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | G0900040 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2009 |
| End | 07/2010 |
| Description | OPAL PLUS (South West GP Trust Fund ) |
| Amount | £5,800 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Leadership Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2011 |
| End | 12/2011 |
| Description | OPAL-PLUS:How have you been? |
| Amount | £86,294 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | R200/0511 |
| Organisation | The Dunhill Medical Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2011 |
| End | 01/2013 |
| Title | OPAL questionnaire |
| Description | New questionnaire to assess perceptions of the environment, and physical activity and lifestyle habits in UK adults aged 70 and above. It has been requested by various groups within the UK and also a pan-Europe group. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2009 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Has been included in other studies and in a grant proposal in review and if successful it will be applied to 2000 older adults in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. |
| Description | AVONet |
| Organisation | University of Bath |
| Department | School of Health Bath |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Fox was a co-applicant along with all other OPAL co-applicants. We were organisers of three workshops, conducted literature searches, prepared three grant proposals, and produced a best bet physical activity promotion report. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is and MRC Lifelong Health and Well Being Research Collaborative which has directly arisen from our OPAL. Bath University was the employer of the principal investigator. We have kept the core OPAL team of co-applicants and added new expertise. It has taken our work forwards and allowed us to submit three research proposals to LLHW and a third is being prepared for a follow up OPAL and was submitted to the Dunhill Trust in February 2011. The proposal was funded. UWE were co-applicants. We have kept the core OPAL team of co-applicants and added new expertise. |
| Impact | Final report to Lifelong Health and Well-Being currently being written for dissemination through a key ageing charity. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | AVONet |
| Organisation | University of the West of England |
| Department | Department of Health and Social Sciences |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Fox was a co-applicant along with all other OPAL co-applicants. We were organisers of three workshops, conducted literature searches, prepared three grant proposals, and produced a best bet physical activity promotion report. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is and MRC Lifelong Health and Well Being Research Collaborative which has directly arisen from our OPAL. Bath University was the employer of the principal investigator. We have kept the core OPAL team of co-applicants and added new expertise. It has taken our work forwards and allowed us to submit three research proposals to LLHW and a third is being prepared for a follow up OPAL and was submitted to the Dunhill Trust in February 2011. The proposal was funded. UWE were co-applicants. We have kept the core OPAL team of co-applicants and added new expertise. |
| Impact | Final report to Lifelong Health and Well-Being currently being written for dissemination through a key ageing charity. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Age Action Alliance |
| Organisation | Age Action Alliance |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This group have become non academic partners to assist in dissemination of our research findings and our reports. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Fox is Chair of a new scientific advisory panel for the Active Living theme |
| Impact | None to date but discussions are underway about dissemination of a guidance report which is an output of AVONet |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | OPAL-PLUS: How have you been? A three year follow up study of OPAL participants |
| Organisation | University of Bath |
| Department | School of Health Bath |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is the core of the OPAL team |
| Collaborator Contribution | It has allowed us to keep the OPAL team together and provide valuable longitudinal data for further publications. It has been funded by the Dunhill Medical Research Trust R200/0511 |
| Impact | Two publications listed as in review in outputs. A third is in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Project ACE (Active, Connected and Engaged). |
| Organisation | University of Bath |
| Department | School of Health Bath |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This is primarily made up of the OPAL team |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a feasibility study for an intervention that has directly arisen from the OPAL and AVONet work It is funded by LLHW G1001864. |
| Impact | Still in process |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Invited presentation, National Coalition of Active Aging Forum meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The activity involved Professor Ken Fox presenting interim findings of Project OPAL to the National Coalition of Active Aging Board. This group are the non academic partners of the project. Questions were answered and a discussion of implications of findings for design and delivery of activity programmes for older people were drawn. NCAA continue to be our partners in further funded work. None to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007 |
| Description | Ageing Well in the workplace workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Attendance to discuss the role of workplace in promoting health in people around retirement age Discussions and working groups around research proposals |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | BHF conference presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Health professionals |
| Results and Impact | 200 people attended the talk. Powerpoint made available on their website Many enquiries about the project |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Bristol's Festival of Ageing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Poster Presentation |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Lay dissemination of key OPAL findings at Bristol's annual festival for older people: http://www.bristol.gov.uk/press/health-and-adult-care/get-set-go-celebrating-age-festival-launches-bristol. Large exhibition stand alongside NHS public health stands (June 2012). Exhibition stand commissioned for future use for OPAL and OPAL+ dissemination opportunities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.bristol.gov.uk/press/health-and-adult-care/get-set-go-celebrating-age-festival-launches-b... |
| Description | British Society of Gerontology 41st annual conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | 'Physical activity in community-dwelling older adults: lessons learned from the Older People and Active Living Project,' in Physical activity promotion: current issues and developments (with Horne M, Newton R, Nyman SR.) (Keele, July). Invited symposium. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | European College of Sport Science Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | OPAL and OPAL-PLUS: Research findings and implications for practice, Fox, K.R. 27th June, 2013, Barcelona 200 people attended Networked with other European researchers in the same field |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | European College of Sports Science. Liverpool, OPAL presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | 60 academics and health professionals attended. Abstract published online and in proceedings None |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | ISRM annual conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Health professionals |
| Results and Impact | 80 people attended. Powerpoint presentation added to the ISRM website None as yet |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Invited presentation Age UK (One Voice) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | PI was invited to present at the launch event for the charity Age UK (amalgamation of Age Concern and Help the Aged): "Getting active in the neighbourhood." None to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | KT-EQUAL workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Health professionals |
| Results and Impact | Dr A Stathi hosted an event named "Physical activity promotion: blending policy, research and practice" (13/10/10) which team-members presented and facilitated at. None to date. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Media engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 1) Two press releases obtained media coverage: a) January 2008, to coincide with 50% recruitment to project b) Early January 2009, to coincide with NPRI annual scientific meeting and early gender-based physical activity research findings. 2) Approached by local radio/TV for several team-members to be involved in a week's special coverage on ageing in the run up to Remembrance Day, November 2010. 1a) Coverage in local newspaper, Bristol Evening Post 1b) Coverage included: BBC news online (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7811398.stm), Telegraph.co.uk, University of Bristol and University of Exeter homepages, Marie Claire online, various Indian news websites. 2) Local radio coverage: radio interview by Professor J Thompson; television interview by Professor K Fox (with supplementary film coverage of a data collection visit). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010 |
| URL | http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7811398.stm |
| Description | National Coalition of Active Ageing meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Health professionals |
| Results and Impact | 2 hour seminar presented to members of the National Coalition of Active Ageing, London, 27/5/10 (approx 12 people in attendance): "Sharing good practice and knowledge: Avon Network for the Promotion of Active Ageing in the Community and Project OPAL." Speakers: Stathi, A, Davis, M., Fox, K.R., Coulson, J.C None to date. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | OPAL participant newsletter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Newsletter disseminated about: early research findings, future plans for the project and continued research/funding, reminder about follow-up visits, contributions at academic conferences, local opportunities for intergenerational socialising and local physical activity-providers. Available at: http://www.bris.ac.uk/enhs/opal/docs/newslettersept08web.pdf None to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | OPAL website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | See http://www.bris.ac.uk/enhs/opal/. Aside describing the study, the website incorporates links to outputs and healthy living resources for older people. It is designed for participants, local practitioners, media, policy-makers and the wider public. None to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Primary Care Research Network newsletters |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Health professionals |
| Results and Impact | Updates to the local GP community, some of which were partner surgeries to us for OPAL participant recruitment, through short pieces in these newsletters. None to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007,2008 |
| Description | Public talk, Belfast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Health professionals |
| Results and Impact | Physical activity promotion in older adults: research, guidelines and policy. Northern Ireland Annual Public Health conference. attended by 300 health professionals and policy makers. Requests for more information |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | South West Seniors Assembly |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Title of presentation: 'Ageing well' for the forum's annual conference 'The age of influence: shaping our own future.' Audience of approximately 150 people, principally key senior figures from the SW ageing forums. (Taunton, March 2012). Jo Coulson was invited to join the closing plenary panel, which included the CEO and national engagement manager for Age UK/England. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | UK Society for Behavioural Medicine Conference, Sterling |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Academics (mainly health psychologists) attend Conference proceedings |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | University of the Third Age |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Workshop for U3A participants in Exeter district. Physical activity and health in later life. 20 participants Interest and more information requests |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | World Congress on Active Ageing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Title: "Indicators of psychological well-being and their association with objectively-measured physical activity in older adults" verbal presentation by Coulson JC. Other authors: Davis M, Fox KR, Hillsdon M, Stathi A, Thompson J. (Glasgow, August 2012). International audience of circa 150 people for conference that is held only once every four years. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |