Resiliency amid the COVID-19 pandemic: engagement in meaningful activities as a mediator between coping ability and depressive symptoms among older adults.

Objectives: This study investigated the longitudinal association between coping ability and depressive symptoms from before to during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and whether engagement in meaningful activities plays a mediating role in this association.

Method: Individuals aged 75, 80, and 85 years ( = 1021) were interviewed in 2017-2018 (T1, pre-pandemic). Of these persons, 608 were interviewed in 2020 (T2, first wave) and 2021-2022 (T3, partly post-pandemic).

Reciprocal Associations Between Relative or Absolute Physical Activity, Walking Performance, and Autonomy in Outdoor Mobility Among Older Adults: A 4-Year Follow-Up.

To examine the reciprocal associations between walking performance, physical activity (PA), and perceived autonomy in outdoor mobility in 322 older adults. At baseline and four years later, a 6-min walk test assessed walking performance. A thigh-mounted accelerometer monitored relative PA (acceleration exceeding the individual's preferred walking intensity on the walk test) and absolute MVPA (acceleration exceeding 3 METs) in free-living.

Reliability and validity of the German version of the University of Jyvaskyla Active Aging Scale (UJACAS-G).

Background: The University of Jyvaskyla Active Aging Scale (UJACAS) assesses active aging through willingness, ability, opportunity, and frequency of involvement in activities. Recognizing the lack of a German version, the Finnish original was translated (UJACAS-G). This study aimed: (1) to evaluate the test-retest reliability of UJACAS-G; and (2) to explore correlations with health-related parameters (concurrent validity).

Factors influencing functional recovery after limb-salvage surgery for lower extremity musculoskeletal tumours: a qualitative study combining patients' and healthcare professionals' perspectives.

Purpose: Survival rates of lower extremity musculoskeletal tumours (LEMTs) have been increasing. However, patients continue to experience functional limitations after LEMT followed by limb-salvage surgery (LSS). This study aimed to identify factors influencing functional recovery after LSS for LEMT.

Associations between walking limitations and reported activity destinations among older adults.

In old age, walking difficulty may reduce opportunities to reach valued activity destinations. Walking modifications, e.g.

Free-Living Sit-to-Stand Characteristics as Predictors of Lower Extremity Functional Decline among Older Adults.

Purpose: Habitual strength and power-demanding activities of daily life may support the maintenance of adequate lower extremity functioning with aging, but this has been sparingly explored. Hence, we examined whether the characteristics of free-living sit-to-stand (STS) transitions predict a decline in lower extremity functioning over a 4-yr follow-up.

Methods: A total of 340 community-dwelling older adults (60% women; age 75, 80, or 85 yr) participated in this prospective cohort study.

Longitudinal changes in life-space mobility and autonomy in participation outdoors among Finnish community-dwelling older adults from pre-COVID-19 to through the pandemic.

Background: Among older people, community mobility was reduced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the longer-term changes are unclear.

Aims: To study lower extremity performance and car driving as predictors of changes in older adults' life-space mobility, autonomy in participation outdoors, and the risk of developing restricted life-space mobility from 2017 to 2022.

Methods: Life-space mobility (scoring range 0-120) and autonomy in participation outdoors (scoring range 0-20) were assessed in community-dwelling individuals (n = 657) in 2017-2018 (baseline age 75, 80, or 85 years), during the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020, and in 2021-2022.

Physical Behavior Profiles Among Older Adults and Their Associations With Physical Capacity and Life-Space Mobility.

We identified data-driven multidimensional physical activity (PA) profiles using several novel accelerometer-derived metrics. Participants aged 75, 80, and 85 (n = 441) wore triaxial accelerometers for 3-7 days. PA profiles were formed with k-means cluster analysis based on PA minutes, intensity, fragmentation, sit-to-stand transitions, and gait bouts for men and women.

Physical Activity Changes From Before to During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Finland.

This study aimed to compare community-dwelling older adults' physical activity (PA) during the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 to their PA levels 2 years before and investigate associations between earlier physical performance and PA levels over the follow-up. Participants' (n = 809, initial age 75-85 years) self-reported PA was assessed at baseline in 2017-2018 and May/June 2020 as total weekly minutes of walking and vigorous PA. Physical performance was assessed at baseline using the maximal handgrip strength and Short Physical Performance Battery tests.

Do the integrated theories of self-determination and planned behavior explain the change in active life engagement following a motivational counseling intervention among older people?

Background: An integrated model based on self-determination and planned behavior theories has been used to explain physical activity and other health-related behaviors mainly among younger populations, not older adults. The present study aimed to conduct a secondary analysis to explore whether changes in theory-based constructs explain a change in activity level (including 17 activities in essential life areas) among 75- and 80-year-old individuals.

Methods: Data came from the Promoting well-being through active aging (AGNES) study, a two-arm single-blinded randomized control trial, where participants in the intervention group (n = 101) received year-long individualized counseling between 2017-19 in Jyväskylä, Finland.

Comparing the associations between muscle strength, walking speed, and mortality in community-dwelling older adults of two birth cohorts born 28 years apart.

Reduced age-specific mortality and increased muscle strength and walking speed of current older adults may have altered the relationships between these factors as more people may be above the reserve capacity threshold. We compared the cross-sectional associations between muscle strength and walking speed, and the associations of muscle strength and walking speed with five-year mortality between two population-based cohorts of 75- and 80-year-old people born 28 years apart. Maximal isometric grip and knee extension strength and walking speed were measured in 2017-2018 (n = 726).

Neighborhood Walkability, Walking Difficulties, and Participation in Leisure Activities Among Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study and 4-Year Follow-Up of a Subsample.

To study cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between objectively assessed neighborhood walkability, walking difficulties, and participation in leisure activities among older people. Self-reported 2 km walking difficulty (intact, modifications, difficulties) at baseline and participating in organized group, outdoor recreation and cultural activities at baseline and follow-up were studied in community-dwelling persons ( = 848) aged 75-90. A walkability index, calculated using a geographic information system, was categorized into tertiles (lowest, middle, highest).

Self-reported life-space mobility in the first year after ischemic stroke: longitudinal findings from the MOBITEC-Stroke project.

Background: Life-space mobility is defined as the size of the area in which a person moves about within a specified period of time. Our study aimed to characterize life-space mobility, identify factors associated with its course, and detect typical trajectories in the first year after ischemic stroke.

Methods: MOBITEC-Stroke (ISRCTN85999967; 13/08/2020) was a cohort study with assessments performed 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after stroke onset.

Association of Sit-to-Stand Capacity and Free-Living Performance Using Thigh-Worn Accelerometers among 60- to 90-Yr-Old Adults.

Purpose: Five times sit-to-stand (STS) test is commonly used as a clinical assessment of lower-extremity functional ability, but its association with free-living performance has not been studied. Therefore, we investigated the association between laboratory-based STS capacity and free-living STS performance using accelerometry. The results were stratified according to age and functional ability groups.

Cohort Differences in Depressive Symptoms and Life Satisfaction in 75- and 80-Year-Olds: A Comparison of Two Cohorts 28 Years Apart.

To examine birth cohort differences in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction in older men and women and the mechanisms underpinning the possible cohort differences. Two independent cohorts of Finnish men and women aged 75 and 80 were assessed in 1989-1990 ( = 617) and 2017-2018 ( = 794). They reported their depressive symptoms (CES-D), current life satisfaction, and evaluation of life until now.

Older Adults' Self-Reported Physical Activity and Distance to and Land Use Around Reported Physical Exercise Destinations.

Little is known about older adults' physical exercise destinations. We studied associations between physical activity (PA) level and physical exercise destinations (total number and surrounding environment) in community-dwelling 75- to 85-year-old adults living in Central Finland. Participants (N = 901) reported the amount of at least moderate-intensity PA and physical exercise destinations.

Association between arterial stiffness and walking capacity in older adults.

Background And Aim: Arterial stiffening - a process that is largely due to intimal thickening, collagen disposition or elastin fragmentation - significantly contributes to cardiovascular events and mortality. There is also some evidence that it may negatively affect physical function. This study aimed to evaluate whether arterial stiffness was associated with measures of walking capacity in a large, population-based sample of highly aged older adults.

Association Between Free-Living Sit-to-Stand Transition Characteristics, and Lower-Extremity Performance, Fear of Falling, and Stair Negotiation Difficulties Among Community-Dwelling 75 to 85-Year-Old Adults.

Background: Good sit-to-stand (STS) performance is an important factor in maintaining functional independence. This study investigated whether free-living STS transition volume and intensity, assessed by a thigh-worn accelerometer, is associated with characteristics related to functional independence.

Methods: Free-living thigh-worn accelerometry was recorded continuously for 3-7 days in a population-based sample of 75-, 80-, and 85-year-old community-dwelling people (479 participants; women n = 287, men n = 192).

Is Complexity of Daily Activity Associated with Physical Function and Life-Space Mobility among Older Adults?

Purpose: Information about mobility and physical function may be encoded in the complexity of daily activity pattern. Therefore, daily activity pattern complexity metrics could provide novel insight into the relationship between daily activity behavior and health. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between the complexity of daily activity behavior and the mobility and physical function among community-dwelling older adults 75, 80, and 85 yr of age.

Impact of mobility restrictions on active aging; cross-sectional associations and longitudinal changes parallel to COVID-19 restrictions.

Background: Meaningful activities can be done in or around home, but opportunities for participation and active aging decrease when moving in smaller areas. Active aging refers to having an active approach to life in line with one's goals, ability and opportunities. In adults over 75 years with different baseline neighborhood mobility levels, we studied active aging scores two years prior to and amid COVID-19, when governments restricted mobility of residents to slow the COVID-19 outbreak.

Physical Activity Scaled to Preferred Walking Speed as a Predictor of Walking Difficulty in Older Adults: A 2-Year Follow-up.

Background: The usual accelerometry-based measures of physical activity (PA) are dependent on physical performance. We investigated the associations between PA relative to walking performance and the prevalence and incidence of early and advanced walking difficulties compared to generally used measures of PA.

Methods: Perceived walking difficulty was evaluated in 994 community-dwelling participants at baseline (age 75, 80, or 85 years) and 2 years later over 2 km (early difficulty) and 500 m (advanced difficulty).