Seasonal Changes of the Physical Activity of the Elderly Living in a Snowy Region

Chie Iida
2011 The Kitakanto Medical Journal  
Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify seasonal changes of the physical activity in daily life of the elderly living in snowy regions. Subjects and M ethods: Five healthy elderly individuals living in a snowy region were given pedometers for seven days every month in 2008, and analyses were performed on the research subjects' step counts,periods of activity,and personal journal contents. They received explanations of the research aims, methods, confidentiality, and free choice
more » ... o participate. Results: Two of the subjects had high step counts and several periods of physical activity during spring to autumn, and were less active during winter. No seasonal changes were observed in the other three subjects. Within the journals maintained by the two individuals in whom seasonal changes were observed goals had been set for the number of steps to take, self-evaluations were present, and plans to achieve goals had been recorded. Conclusions: It was thought that a positive attitude toward selfmanagement, behavioral characteristics affected changes in physical activity. It is difficult to maintain the amount of phy sical activity in winter. There is a need for places and opportunities that will lessen the effects of unfavorable winter weather conditions in snowy regions. ( Kitakanto Med J 2011 ;6 1 : 395-403) Key words: snowy regions, the elderly living at home, physical activity, pedometer
doi:10.2974/kmj.61.395 fatcat:6tsorb6ffjhevj56q6qau24p7e