Physical activity, sarcopenia and cardiometabolic risk of older adults

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Physical activity, sarcopenia and cardiometabolic risk of older adults in Scotland vs. older Township South African adults.

  • IRAS ID

    267115

  • Contact name

    Angus Murray Hunter

  • Contact email

    a.m.hunter1@stir.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Stirling

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 27 days

  • Research summary

    Sustained and regular participation in physical activity (PA) is not only associated with healthy ageing but can also help delay, prevent, or manage many non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
    The National Health System in Scotland promotes exercise and PA as a fundamental aspect of daily life(i.e. National Physical Activity Pathway), while there is a significant gap in international PA surveillance. This makes difficult to estimate the impact of different intensity and type of physical activity on health outcomes worldwide. Previous studies showed a link between types and intensity of PA participation and socioeconomic factors in developing countries [19]; highlighting a trend of low participation in recreational physical activity and substantial decline in overall PA levels in older adults.
    This study will characterise physical and mental ageing in older populations living in different social demographic areas (Scotland and South Africa). Findings from this study will inform communities and policy makers with reliable data for physical activity, muscular and nutrition advice in order to improve healthy ageing.
    We will compare data from 150 black older South African participants (already collected) and 150 older adults living in Scotland. We will collect physical activity data, diet, functional tests, memory, and neuromuscular decline among older adults aged 60-85.

  • REC name

    West of Scotland REC 3

  • REC reference

    19/WS/0118

  • Date of REC Opinion

    27 Sep 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion