Background : Accumulating evidence suggests that 24-hour movement behaviors are associated with chronic inflammation. However, few studies have examined older adults’ adherence to guidelines and inflammatory biomarkers. This study aimed to investigate adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines and its associations with systemic inflammatory biomarkers (SII/SIRI) among older adults. Methods : This cross-sectional study included adults aged ≥60 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2018. Twenty-four-hour movement behaviors were assessed using standardized questionnaires. SII and SIRI were calculated from complete blood count parameters and natural log-transformed (Ln-SII and Ln-SIRI). Ordinal logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines with Ln-SII and Ln-SIRI levels. Sex- and age-stratified analyses were also conducted. Results : Among 2469 participants (mean age: 68.59 [6.31] y), 21.95% met all 3 guidelines, whereas 37.55%, 29.73%, and 10.77% met 2, 1, or none, respectively. Compared with meeting none of the guidelines, meeting all 3 guidelines was associated with lower odds of inflammatory burden (Ln-SII: odds ratio [OR] = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.86; Ln-SIRI: OR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.78). Significant inverse associations were observed among males (Ln-SII: OR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.93; Ln-SIRI: OR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.75) and adults aged ≥65 years (Ln-SII: OR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.87; Ln-SIRI: OR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.83), with no significant interactions by sex or age. Conclusions : Adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines was inversely associated with systemic inflammation among older adults. Subgroup analyses suggested potentially larger protective associations among males and adults aged ≥65 years.
Background : Physical activity is well established as a key contributor to improved physical and mental health, enhancing strength, mood, and overall well-being. However, individuals experiencing homelessness, excessive substance use, or social exclusion are often excluded from physical activity interventions, limiting their access to these well-known benefits. This study aimed to explore participants’ experiences of the community-based FridayFit physical activity program and how it may support physical, psychological, and social well-being among marginalized populations. Methods : A qualitative study was conducted using semistructured interviews and focus groups with 20 regular FridayFit participants over a 4-month period. The socioecological model and empowerment theory guided data collection and an inductive thematic analysis, enabling examination of individual, interpersonal, and community-level influences on well-being. Insights from peer leaders and facilitators were included to broaden contextual understanding. Results : Participants described improvements in physical health, including greater strength, energy, and fitness, alongside enhanced mood, confidence, and mental clarity. The program fostered interpersonal support, social connection, and belonging. Community-level outcomes included shared identity, solidarity, and collective well-being. Participants also demonstrated structural empowerment, contributing suggestions that shaped program development. Conclusions : Findings highlight the value of accessible, community-based physical activity programs in harm reduction settings. By promoting empowerment, social inclusion, and holistic well-being, initiatives like FridayFit may help reduce health disparities among marginalized populations and support sustained engagement through peer-led, participatory approaches.
Background : Although increasing public awareness of Japanese physical activity (PA) guidelines may contribute to promoting PA behavior, only a few longitudinal studies have confirmed it. This study examined whether awareness of the guidelines was longitudinally associated with higher PA behavior mediated by knowledge, belief, and behavioral intention (BI) and whether these associations were more relevant in those with higher health literacy among adults in Japan. Methods : Three-wave, open longitudinal online surveys were conducted with individuals in November 2022, February 2024, and February 2025. Out of a total of 4709 respondents, this study included 2775 (58.9%) who responded to the surveys at least twice. Every survey measured awareness and knowledge of the guidelines, beliefs regarding PA, BI toward PA, self-reported PA behavior (volume of moderate to vigorous PA and PA level), and health literacy (lower and higher groups). Results : A multigroup cross-lagged model revealed that the lagged paths from awareness of the guidelines to knowledge and BI were significantly positive in both the lower and higher health literacy groups. However, the lagged paths from awareness of the guidelines, knowledge, and BI to PA behavior were insignificant among both groups. Conclusions : This study revealed that awareness of the guidelines was longitudinally associated with higher knowledge and BI, whereas its desirable influence on subsequent PA behavior remains uncertain among adults in Japan. Furthermore, there is limited evidence of the moderating effects of health literacy on these associations.
BACKGROUND An investigation into gay men's perceptions of physical activity may provide insights into why gay men are purported to have poorer health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts. METHODS This qualitative research used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore older gay men's lived experiences of their engagement with health-sustaining physical activity. Twenty-one gay men aged 60 and over were recruited via convenience sampling to participate in semistructured and open-ended, recorded online interviews. The hermeneutic phenomenological principles of epoché, reduction, eidetic variation, and intersubjective corroboration were applied throughout data gathering, interpretation, and reporting. Thematic analysis was performed via a 6-step method resulting in the construction of 4 themes. RESULTS The participants spoke about early adverse experiences in sport and physical education. They believed that these had led to a long-term disengagement with physical activity. However, contrasting with these earlier life experiences, most participants reported a recent later-life reengagement with physical activity. This reengagement was mostly prompted by health concerns, interest in self-selected solo activities, and participation in gay-friendly environments. Participants also described increasingly positive perceptions of participation, including enjoyment in activity and enhanced social connections in later life. CONCLUSIONS In response to the findings, it is recommended that strategies for program design include interventions to increase gay men's participation in physical activity. Recommendations include autonomy of choice, particularly solo activities, enjoyment through LGBTIQA+ inclusivity, opportunities for social connection, and embracing families of choice.
Background : Poor sleep quality is common among older adults, affecting health and well-being. Physical activity is a promising nonpharmacological option, but the comparative effects of different exercise types remain unclear. Methods : This study compared various physical activity interventions on subjective sleep quality in older adults through network meta-analysis. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus identified eligible evaluating physical activity effects on sleep quality in adults aged ≥60 years. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Interventions were categorized as aerobic, resistance, balance, flexibility, or multicomponent training. Bayesian network meta-analysis estimated mean differences (MDs) with 95% credible intervals (CrI). A total of 39 studies involving 3198 participants met the inclusion criteria. Results : Balance training showed the greatest estimated improvement (MD = −2.58; 95% CrI, −3.32 to −1.83), followed by flexibility (MD = −1.70; 95% CrI, −3.90 to 0.50), aerobic (MD = −1.47; 95% CrI, −2.43 to −0.50), multicomponent (MD = −1.30; 95% CrI, −2.44 to −0.18), and resistance training (MD = −1.17; 95% CrI, −2.19 to −0.15), all of which were significantly superior to control. Flexibility training (n = 2) demonstrated a relatively large estimated effect (MD = 1.70; 95% CrI, −0.50 to 3.90), although the result did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion : Balance training demonstrated the greatest potential for improving sleep quality in older adults and ranked highest in the network meta-analysis. Aerobic, multicomponent, and resistance exercise also showed significant benefits compared with control.
