Inadequate functional capacity and health-related outcomes in older adults living in nursing homes in Greece

Vasilios Mitsiokapas; Eleni Siarampi; Virginia V Smixioti; Evanthia Mitsiokapa; Christina Karatzaferi; Panayiotis Koulouvaris; Andreas F. Mavrogenis; Christoforos D. Giannaki; Giorgos K. Sakkas

Aging and Health Research (Mar 2023)

Inadequate functional capacity and health-related outcomes in older adults living in nursing homes in Greece

Vasilios Mitsiokapas,
Eleni Siarampi,
Virginia V Smixioti,
Evanthia Mitsiokapa,
Christina Karatzaferi,
Panayiotis Koulouvaris,
Andreas F. Mavrogenis,
Christoforos D. Giannaki,
Giorgos K. Sakkas

Affiliations

Vasilios Mitsiokapas: Lifestyle Medicine Laboratory, Department of PE and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala 42100, Greece
Eleni Siarampi: Lifestyle Medicine Laboratory, Department of PE and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala 42100, Greece
Virginia V Smixioti: Lifestyle Medicine Laboratory, Department of PE and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala 42100, Greece
Evanthia Mitsiokapa: First Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Christina Karatzaferi: Lifestyle Medicine Laboratory, Department of PE and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala 42100, Greece
Panayiotis Koulouvaris: First Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Andreas F. Mavrogenis: First Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Christoforos D. Giannaki: Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 1700, Cyprus
Giorgos K. Sakkas: Lifestyle Medicine Laboratory, Department of PE and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala 42100, Greece; School of Sports and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF5 2YB, United Kingdom; Corresponding author at: School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala GR42100, Greece.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 3, no. 1
p. 100118

Abstract

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Physical activity (PA) in older adults is essential for disease prevention, maintenance of independence and improvement of quality of life. However, nursing home residents spend their time mostly sedentary. In this study, the levels of PA among older adults living independently in the community and their matched counterparts in nursing homes were assessed. Participants’ body mass index, functional capacity and health-related quality of life aspects were evaluated. Quality of life scores (QoL) were similar between the two groups. However, the nursing home participants had lower functional capacity, lower cognitive function and reduced PA levels, compared to their counterparts. PA was strongly correlated with cognitive function and QoL, whereas QoL, fatigue, depression and quality of sleep were negatively correlated. Older adults living in nursing homes have lower levels of PA which in turn could potentially affect cognitive function, QoL and functionality.

Published in Aging and Health Research

ISSN: 2667-0321 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Special situations and conditions: Geriatrics
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/aging-and-health-research

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Abstract

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