2016, Volume 8, Issue 2
Physical activity in youth and level of kinesiophobia in older adults
Edward Saulicz1, Andrzej Knapik2, Mariola Saulicz3, Paweł Linek1, Jerzy Rottermund4, Tomasz Wolny1, Andrzej Myśliwiec1
1Department of Kinesiotherapy and Special Methods of Physiotherapy, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
2School of Health Sciences, Silesian Medical University in Katowice
3Department of Physiotherapy in Internal Organ Diseases, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
4Department of Physiotherapy, High Administration School in Bielsko-Biala
Author for correspondence: Paweł Linek; Department of Kinesiotherapy and Special Methods of Physiotherapy, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice; email: linek.fizjoterapia[at]vp.pl
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Abstract
Background: Previous physical activity may be a significant motivator for activity at an elder age. There is a lack of research regarding the kinesiophobia phenomenon in the elderly across a wide spectrum of its conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of kinesiophobia in older adults in the context of their physical activity in youth.
Material and methods: The research was performed on a group of 520 people between 65 and 87 years old. Psychometric tools completed by the subjects were used. The tools consisted of two parts: a survey concerning the level of physical activity during childhood and youth as well as the Kinesiophobia Causes Scale. The Kinesiophobia Causes Scale allows researchers to determine the level of physical activity barriers across two domains: biological and psychological.
Results: The lowest level of kinesiophobia in all of the examined areas (biological and psychological domains) was observed in women and men who, in their youth, were physically active (p < 0.0001).
Conslusions: The results suggest that the level of physical activity during childhood and youth has a significant impact on the level of kinesiophobia at the older stages of human life.
Key words: kinesiophobia, physical activity, older people