Age and gender differences in relationships between physical activity and sense of coherence in community‒dwelling older adults

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between leisure‒time, household, and work‒related physical activity (PA) and sense of coherence (SOC) by age groups (young‒ old and old‒old) and gender in community‒dwelling older adults. Methods: The self‒administered questionnaires were sent to 508 community‒dwelling older adults aged 65 to 85 years old who expressed their intention to participate in physical performance tests. A total of 394 people who participated in these tests completed the questionnaires (valid response rate, 77.6%). We used the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly to assess PA variables and the 13‒item 5‒ point version of the Sense of Coherence Scale to assess SOC variables. Multiple linear regression analysis with controlling demographic variables (education, living arrangement and clinical histories) and social network (family and friend) was applied to confirm relations between PA and SOC by age groups (young‒old or old‒old) and gender. Results: In young‒old men, leisure‒time PA was related positively to SOC (β=0.233, p<0.05). In old‒old men, work‒related PA related positively to SOC (β=0.273, p<0.05), whereas young‒old women showed a significantly negative relation between these variables (β=‒0.285, p<0.01). Conclusions: Leisure‒time PA in young‒old men and work‒related in old‒old men PA would enhance SOC, whereas any types of PA would not enhance SOC in young‒old and old‒old women. This study showed specific PA strategies for primary prevention with consideration of age and gender in community‒dwelling older adults.