Association between physical activity participation and perceived social isolation at older ages: Do social participation, age and sex differences matter?

• Published in: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics Vol. 96; p. 104441
• Main Authors: Gyasi, Razak M., Adu-Gyamfi, Samuel, Obeng, Bernard, Asamoah, Edward, Kisiangani, Isaac, Ochieng, Vollan, Appiah, Kubi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Active aging; Emotional health; Healthy longevity; Perceived social isolation; Physical activity; Quality of life; Emotional health; Perceived social isolation; Physical activity; Active aging; Healthy longevity; Quality of life
• ISSN: 0167-4943; 1872-6976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2021.104441

•In old age, regular physical activity (PA) leads to lower perceived social isolation (PSI)•PSI decreases in those with higher levels of social participation net of covariates•PA and PSI relate differentially with sex and age•Social participation significantly modifies the link between PA and PSI•Interventions to heal PSI should move beyond biomedicine and integrate PA and social participation Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for poor health. However, it is unclear how physical activity (PA) is associated with perceived social isolation (PSI) in older age. This study aims to explore 1) association between PA and PSI among older people in Ghana and 2) if social participation (SP), age and sex modify any associations. The study focused on 1,201 men and women aged ≥50 years in the AgeHeaPsyWel-HeaSeeB Study. Multivariate ordinary least squares (OLS) models were specified to estimate the regression coefficients and standard errors for the associations of PA and SP with PSI adjusting for potential confounders. Multivariate OLS regressions showed that engagement in SP (b = -0.442; SE = 0.140; p < 0.001) and regular PA (b = -0.338; SE = 0.152; p < 0.005) were independently associated with decreasing PSI. Also, SP modified the PA—PSI association such that resourceful SP reinforced the link between PA and PSI (b = -0.709; SE = 0.276; p < .005). Finding revealed sex (men: b= -0.712; SE = 0.266; p < 0.005; women: p = 0.083) and age differences (65+: b = -0.437; SE = 0.206; p < 0.005; 50-64: b = -0.502; SE = 0.252; p < 0.05) in the effect of PA on PSI. Findings provide insight into the importance of specific and combined effects of SP and PA on PSI in older age. Public health, clinical practice, and social policy efforts should target social healing and group PA interventions to improve older adults' emotional health.