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Factors Related to Preventive Behaviors against a Decline in Physical Fitness among Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Yumi Kimura

    (Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

  • Hiroshi Akasaka

    (Department of Geriatric and General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

  • Toshihito Takahashi

    (Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontology, and Oral Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

  • Saori Yasumoto

    (Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

  • Kei Kamide

    (Department of Health Promotion System Science, Division of Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

  • Kazunori Ikebe

    (Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontology, and Oral Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

  • Mai Kabayama

    (Department of Health Promotion System Science, Division of Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

  • Ayaka Kasuga

    (Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

  • Hiromi Rakugi

    (Department of Geriatric and General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

  • Yasuyuki Gondo

    (Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan)

Abstract

Older adults face the concern of developing frailty and sarcopenia due to an inactive lifestyle during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to reveal the preventive behaviors taken by older adults who perceived a decline in physical fitness during COVID-19 and analyze the background factors which promoted such behaviors using a qualitative study design in 2020. The participants were recruited through the cohort study of Japanese older adults who were aged 79–81 and had not been diagnosed with sarcopenia previously in 2019 and perceived their physical fitness to have declined during the pandemic. The interviews of 19 participants were analyzed using thematic analysis. The participants engaged in five types of preventive behaviors to counter declining physical fitness: “walking”, “exercising at home”, “improving daily diet”, “maintaining a daily routine”, and “taking a good rest”. Four themes were extracted pertaining to backgrounds of such preventive behaviors: “feeling anxiety and mental pressure”, “available networks with family and neighbors”, “prior experiences of behaviors”, and “access to information”. Anxiety due to lifestyle changes during the pandemic was the primary reason for the behaviors. This study can be a useful guide for undertaking possible measures to prevent frailty during future pandemics.

Suggested Citation

  • Yumi Kimura & Hiroshi Akasaka & Toshihito Takahashi & Saori Yasumoto & Kei Kamide & Kazunori Ikebe & Mai Kabayama & Ayaka Kasuga & Hiromi Rakugi & Yasuyuki Gondo, 2022. "Factors Related to Preventive Behaviors against a Decline in Physical Fitness among Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6008-:d:816003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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