International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Fabien D. Legrand

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Guest Editor

Cognition, Health, and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), Department of Psychology, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France
Interests: exercise effects on mental health; cognitive function and exercise; non-pharmacological interventions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maintaining health, preventing cognitive impairments, and promoting psychological well-being are essential parts of satisfied aging. Promising evidence exists that non-pharmacological interventions such as physical activity (exercise) or nutrition can make crucial contributions. For instance, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of exercise on the prevention or postponement of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have revealed encouraging results over the last 15 years. However, their impact among healthcare professionals and GPs is not at the height it could be. The reasons for this are complex but include doubts about the generalizability of results (older individuals with lower levels of functioning are less likely to participate in a study than individuals with higher levels of functioning) as well as about which types and doses of intervention lead to benefits for a specified age group. Therefore, the aim of this Special Issue is to publish a wide range of studies that help address these unsolved issues and advance our understanding of the somatic, cognitive, and affective benefits of physical activity (exercise) or other non-pharmacological interventions (nutrition, animal-assisted therapy, hortitherapy, art therapy, forest bathing, balneological treatment, etc.). The intervention(s) can be acute or chronic (i.e., conducted on a regular basis). The subjects should be 65 years of age or over. They can be healthy human volunteers or clinical patients. Article types include, but are not limited to, original research, brief research reports, clinical trials, reviews, or hypothesis and theory articles.

Dr. Fabien D. Legrand
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
dementia
information processing speed
executive function
brain structure or activity
depressive disorders
anxiety disorders
quality of life
body composition
physical fitness

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Well-Being, Physical Activity, and Social Support in Octogenarians with Heart Failure during COVID-19 Confinement: A Mixed-Methods Study

by Elena Marques-Sule, Elena Muñoz-Gómez, Luis Almenar-Bonet, Noemi Moreno-Segura, María-Cruz Sánchez-Gómez, Pallav Deka, Raquel López-Vilella, Leonie Klompstra and Juan Luis Cabanillas-García

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15316; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215316 - 19 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1437

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare well-being and physical activity (PA) before and during COVID-19 confinement in older adults with heart failure (HF), to compare well-being and PA during COVID-19 confinement in octogenarians and non-octogenarians, and to explore well-being, social support, attention to symptoms, and assistance needs during confinement in this population. Methods: A mixed-methods design was performed. Well-being (Cantril Ladder of Life) and PA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) were assessed. Semi-structured interviews were performed to assess the rest of the variables. Results: 120 participants were evaluated (74.16 ± 12.90 years; octogenarians = 44.16%, non-octogenarians = 55.83%). Both groups showed lower well-being and performed less PA during confinement than before (p < 0.001). Octogenarians reported lower well-being (p = 0.02), higher sedentary time (p = 0.03), and lower levels of moderate PA (p = 0.04) during confinement. Most individuals in the sample considered their well-being to have decreased during confinement, 30% reported decreased social support, 50% increased their attention to symptoms, and 60% were not satisfied with the assistance received. Octogenarians were more severely impacted during confinement than non-octogenarians in terms of well-being, attention to symptoms, and assistance needs. Conclusions: Well-being and PA decreased during confinement, although octogenarians were more affected than non-octogenarians. Remote monitoring strategies are needed in elders with HF to control health outcomes in critical periods, especially in octogenarians. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise, Healthcare and Physiotherapy for Older Adults)

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Review

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13 pages, 591 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Physical Activity on Physical and Mental Health of Older Adults Living in Care Settings: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses

by Nounagnon Frutueux Agbangla, Marie-Philippine Séba, Frédérique Bunlon, Claire Toulotte and Sarah Anne Fraser

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(13), 6226; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136226 - 26 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3043

Abstract

Previous studies included in meta-analyses have highlighted the effects of physical activity on the physical and psychological health of older adults living in care settings. We conducted a systematic review of meta-analyses, of institutionalized older adults, to evaluate and conduct a narrative synthesis of the results of these meta-analyses. A literature search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) until 22 March 2023. After screening the identified articles with the PRISMA criteria filters, we included 11 meta-analyses in this systematic review. Higgins’ (2013) assessment tool of the meta-analyses demonstrates that the studies were of good quality although future meta-analyses need to provide more information on the treatment of missing data. A summary of the results of these meta-analyses shows that physical activity reduces the rate of falls, mobility issues, functional dependence, and depression, and improves health status. Future studies need to focus on new ways to promote and adapt physical activities to increase the participation of older adults in care settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise, Healthcare and Physiotherapy for Older Adults)

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