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Kinesiology Research

New research: More worry about health leads to inactivity

Mobility, which declines with aging, has been identified as one of the 10 hot topics in aging research, as walking difficulty reduces quality of life. Older adults who worry about their health engage in less physical activity, and those who participate in less activity are more likely to report having difficulty walking

Earlier this year, OSU Professor Brad Cardinal was named a fellow of the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals. He also received the Alumni Achievement Award from the College of Health Professions, Department of Kinesiology, Temple University
Earlier this year, OSU Professor Brad Cardinal was named a fellow of the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals. He also received the Alumni Achievement Award from the College of Health Professions, Department of Kinesiology, Temple University

OSU researchers studying declining mobility in aging have found that the more older people worry about their health, the less active they are likely to be. And the less active they are, the more difficulty they have walking.

According to Kin-Kit Li of the University of Hong Kong who received his PhD from OSU in 2008 “Health professional’s warnings of disease or premature death to promote physical activity can actually have the opposite effect.” It’s a self defeating cycle. Walking is one of the best forms of physical activity for the aging population, but the study shows that the more that people worry about their health, the less likely they are to walk or participate in other physical activity.

Professor Bard Cardinal, co-author of the study along with Sam Vuchinich says “Our research shows that a key component to avoid walking difficulty in older adults is to resolve health worry issues earlier in life.” The research was published the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.

walking-214x3003According to the study, the elderly are better motivated through positive influence.

“Our research suggests that using threats and fear tactics to encourage physical activity in older adults will not work,” Cardinal says. The study suggests that health-related information should include appropriate self-regulation and coping strategies for health worry. Instead of using health threat as a motivator, evidence-based programs for behavior change should be used.