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Physical function declines with aging due to physical and biological changes. The biological process of aging has been associated with increases in systemic inflammation and a greater risk for chronic conditions. In older adults, physical activity aids in maintenance of function. However, the influence of inflammatory biomarkers and adiposity on physical activity and physical function needs to be further explored. Methods: A cross-sectional secondary data analysis from Wave 13 of the Health & Retirement Study (HRS) core biennial data and Venous Blood Study (VBS) was conducted. Structural equation modeling was used to establish the model and test the relationships. Results: Chronic low-level inflammation was moderately negatively correlated with physical activity (r = −0.326) and function (r = −0.367). Latent regressions showed that higher physical activity is associated with better physical function (unstandardized estimate = 0.600, p <.001) while inflammation negatively affects physical function (unstandardized estimate = −0.139, p <.001), and adiposity was not a predictor in the model (p = 0.055). Conclusion: For older adults, preserving physical function by participation in physical activity and decreasing chronic inflammation are key preventive health strategies for older adults to maintain independence, with a need to further explore pro and anti-inflammatory biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disability, institutionalization, and loss of independence may be directly caused or exacerbated by physical inactivity and obesity. The purpose of the current cross-sectional survey was to explore the impact of gender and obesity on functional ability tasks, physical activity, and psychosocial factors in older adults. Participants comprised 964 University retirees (55% female, mean age = 75.3 years, SD = 6.7 years) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.1 kg/m2 (SD = 4.7 kg/m2). Results revealed significant gender and BMI interaction effects. Women were less active than men and obese women were most functionally impaired, particularly in activities that target lower extremity function, regardless of weight status. These findings suggest that physical activity interventions for older adults should focus on exercises that improve functional ability and are tailored to meet individual needs while considering weight and gender. Type, intensity, frequency, and duration of exercises should be individualized to limit injuries and improve functional ability and physical activity adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Although increased frequency of physical activity is associated with fewer depressive symptoms in African-Americans, most studies do not focus on a specific type of activity. Identifying the activity can provide helpful information for designing interventions that focus on depressive symptoms. The objective of this study was to examine the odds of depressive symptoms in relation to walking in African-Americans. Design and Sample A secondary analysis was performed on the National Survey of American Life. The sample was made up of community-dwelling African-American women ( n = 1,903) and men ( n = 1,075) who did not meet the DSM- IV- TR criteria for depression. Measures Walking was measured by self-reported frequency (i.e., never, rarely, sometimes, often). Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Logistic regression for complex samples was used to examine the odds of depressive symptoms in relation to walking. Results Women who reported often walking had lower odds for depressive symptoms than women who reported never walking ( OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.38-0.82). Walking frequency was not related to depressive symptoms in men. Conclusions Walking frequency is a modifiable risk factor for elevated depressive symptoms in African-American women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the study "Influences on Neighborhood Walking in Older Adults," by Nancy A. Gallagher and colleagues is presented.