Self-reported health, physical activity and socio-economic status of middle-aged and elderly participants to a popular road running race in Switzerland: better off than the general population?
Details
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State: Public
Version: Final published version
State: Public
Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_08A05E3927F3
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Self-reported health, physical activity and socio-economic status of middle-aged and elderly participants to a popular road running race in Switzerland: better off than the general population?
Journal
Swiss medical weekly
ISSN
1424-3997 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0036-7672
Publication state
Published
Issued date
07/01/2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
143
Pages
w13710
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Comparative Study ; Journal Article ; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: epublish
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
In affluent countries habitual physical activity (PA) levels are low while participation of middle-aged people in road running events is increasing. We compared PA determinants of runners aged 50+ to those of a general population sample of similar age in Switzerland.
Cross-sectional study comparing 580 road running event participants to 1,067 general population subjects. Binary logistic regression was used to predict group membership and multinomial logistic regression to describe relationships between regular PA levels, health and socio-economic status, adjusted for age, marital status and sex.
There was better health status, higher socio-economic position, less obesity and less depression in the runners than in the general population. People in self-reported "poor / very poor" and "good" health categories were less likely than the "excellent/very good" category to engage in vigorous regular PA compared to moderate regular PA.
Our findings confirm the association of PA with better health and higher socio-economic status in people aged 50+ but do not allow conclusions on causality. Further research and managerial effort should be expanded to develop programmes for the inactive population. New and existing prevention programmes should be undertaken to increase the awareness of target audiences. Popular road running events should be seen as having important public health potential and should be fostered.
Cross-sectional study comparing 580 road running event participants to 1,067 general population subjects. Binary logistic regression was used to predict group membership and multinomial logistic regression to describe relationships between regular PA levels, health and socio-economic status, adjusted for age, marital status and sex.
There was better health status, higher socio-economic position, less obesity and less depression in the runners than in the general population. People in self-reported "poor / very poor" and "good" health categories were less likely than the "excellent/very good" category to engage in vigorous regular PA compared to moderate regular PA.
Our findings confirm the association of PA with better health and higher socio-economic status in people aged 50+ but do not allow conclusions on causality. Further research and managerial effort should be expanded to develop programmes for the inactive population. New and existing prevention programmes should be undertaken to increase the awareness of target audiences. Popular road running events should be seen as having important public health potential and should be fostered.
Keywords
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Body Mass Index, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Status, Health Surveys, Humans, Logistic Models, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Motor Activity, Running, Self Report, Social Class, Switzerland
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
25/09/2013 12:31
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:30