BACKGROUND: Elderly caregivers report less leisure-time physical activity than same-aged non-caregivers. However, through caregiving tasks, caregivers may be as physically active as non-caregivers. This study compared leisure-time exercise and overall physical activity in elderly women caregivers and non-caregivers. METHODS: The sample included 179 caregivers (153 cared for spouses and 26 for other relatives or friends) and 670 non-caregivers who were participants in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Leisure-time exercise was based on respondents' report of walking for exercise or other regular exercise at least once a week. High overall physical activity included leisure-time exercise or being in the top quartile of walking and climbing stairs during one's daily routine. RESULTS: Leisure-time exercise was lower in spouse caregivers (adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.64, 0.41-1.00) and non-spouse caregivers (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.16-0.95) than married non-caregivers. Differences in overall physical activity between caregivers and married non-caregivers were smaller and not statistically significant. Caregivers who climbed stairs at least 15 min/day during caregiving tasks reported more overall physical activity than non-caregivers (OR = 4.06, 95% CI = 1.23-13.36). CONCLUSIONS: Studies comparing physical activity in caregivers and non-caregivers should assess activities performed during routine caregiving tasks.
BACKGROUND: Elderly caregivers report less leisure-time physical activity than same-aged non-caregivers. However, through caregiving tasks, caregivers may be as physically active as non-caregivers. This study compared leisure-time exercise and overall physical activity in elderly women caregivers and non-caregivers. METHODS: The sample included 179 caregivers (153 cared for spouses and 26 for other relatives or friends) and 670 non-caregivers who were participants in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Leisure-time exercise was based on respondents' report of walking for exercise or other regular exercise at least once a week. High overall physical activity included leisure-time exercise or being in the top quartile of walking and climbing stairs during one's daily routine. RESULTS: Leisure-time exercise was lower in spouse caregivers (adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.64, 0.41-1.00) and non-spouse caregivers (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.16-0.95) than married non-caregivers. Differences in overall physical activity between caregivers and married non-caregivers were smaller and not statistically significant. Caregivers who climbed stairs at least 15 min/day during caregiving tasks reported more overall physical activity than non-caregivers (OR = 4.06, 95% CI = 1.23-13.36). CONCLUSIONS: Studies comparing physical activity in caregivers and non-caregivers should assess activities performed during routine caregiving tasks.
Authors: Rosanna M Bertrand; Jane S Saczynski; Catherine Mezzacappa; Mallorie Hulse; Kristine Ensrud; Lisa Fredman Journal: J Aging Health Date: 2011-09-20
Authors: Andrea L Rosso; Brian K Lee; Marcia L Stefanick; Candyce H Kroenke; Laura H Coker; Nancy F Woods; Yvonne L Michael Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2014-07-24 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Lauren T Ptomey; Eric D Vidoni; Esteban Montenegro-Montenegro; Michael A Thompson; Joseph R Sherman; Anna M Gorczyca; Jerry L Greene; Richard A Washburn; Joseph E Donnelly Journal: J Aging Phys Act Date: 2019-09-01 Impact factor: 1.961
Authors: Theresa Pauly; Jan Keller; Nina Knoll; Victoria I Michalowski; Diana Hilda Hohl; Maureen C Ashe; Denis Gerstorf; Kenneth M Madden; Christiane A Hoppmann Journal: Ann Behav Med Date: 2020-01-01
Authors: Lisa Fredman; Jane A Cauley; Suzanne Satterfield; Eleanor Simonsick; S Melinda Spencer; Hilsa N Ayonayon; Tamara B Harris Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2008-10-27