Quantitative and qualitative analysis of factors promoting and hindering the exercise habits of older adults needing support

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K17994
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering; Social welfare and social work studies
• Research Institution: Kanagawa University of Human Services
• Principal Investigator: Koike Yukako 神奈川県立保健福祉大学, 保健福祉学部, 助教 (80714104)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 要支援高齢者 / 身体活動 / 関連要因 / 促進 / 介護予防

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively examine factors related to exercise habits (physical activity) in older adults with support needs. The results found that, unlike healthy older adults, neither health literacy nor social support had a significant effect on physical activity in older adults with support needs. Moreover, the latter’s long-term care insurance usage pattern was not associated with physical activity frequency. But psychological factors such as self-efficacy did have a significant effect on their physical activity, while the engaging in physical activity was influenced by lifestyle before they were certified as needing support.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

要支援・要介護高齢者が増加し，介護保険財政の悪化や保険料の増加，介護人材不足等が問題となっている中，介護予防・悪化防止は喫緊の課題である．特に要介護状態への移行リスクが高い要支援高齢者やフレイル，虚弱高齢者に適切な介入を行い，悪化防止や再自立を促すことが重要であるが，支援を必要とする高齢者を対象とした研究は十分であるとは言えない．本研究は要支援高齢者の運動習慣（身体活動）を促進・阻害する要因を心理・社会的要因により多角的に検討し，身体活動促進への実践と支援策の構築への一助となる知見を得た．