Breaking Myths for Older Adults

Older adults from diverse backgrounds need more than knowledge and guidance of traditional clichés about exercise to start or sustain physical activity, according to a new study published in the journal Geriatrics.

The study was led by Ruth Tappen, Ed.D., professor in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and FAU Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention. It shows that more African Americans with a decline in physical activity, were related to health issues, especially pain or fatigue, and lack of time, interest or motivation. The declines were more prevalent in the African American participants than in European American or Afro-Caribbean participants. Assistance in identifying meaningful, personal reasons to remain active and addressing pain and fatigue may help older adults to sustain physical activity.