Physical Activity, Perceive Benefits and Barriers to Exercise, and Executive Function in Elderly

Sedentary behavior (SB) accounts for 7.5 % of cardiometabolic mortality globally. The burden of cardiometabolic disease is especially high among Latino middle-aged and older adults and they do not meet PA guidelines and spend much time in SB. The study used baseline data from the Physical Activity Program to Disrupt Sedentary Time in Older Latinos (PAIS) and consists of two parts. The first part of the study included PAIS baseline interviews of 39 Latino middle-aged and older adult participants to identify the themes pertaining to the barriers and facilitators of PA and clarify themes describing SB and PA experiences in this population by using the thematic content analysis approach. The results revealed four major themes included: (1) the meaning of SB, (2) the barriers of PA, (3) the motivators/facilitators of PA, and (4) the consequences of sedentary behavior and PA. In the second part of the study, descriptive correlational analyses were conducted by using data from 39 Latino middle-aged and older adult participants from PAIS study. This study assessed the relationship between PA (7-day step count), age, total number of years of education, sedentary bouts, and executive function. PA and sedentary bout were measured by 7-day actigraphy. Executive function was measured by oral Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B). Bivariate correlational analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted. Based on the findings of the second part of the study, the number of years of education had a significant impact on executive function (b -.13, t[33]=-5.40, p<.001). Age, 7-day step count, and total number of sedentary bouts have a non-significant effect on TMT-B score. There were also regression limitations due to the sample size, whereas some variables may have been moderator variables. The findings of these analyses indicated that the Latino population has a diverse culture thus, we should consider all Latinos, rather than limiting samples to certain regions, a follow-up longitudinal study should be conducted, and further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to increase the power of the analyses. Finally, these findings can contribute to developing culturally appropriate interventions to improve physical and executive function.