Meeting Physical Activity Goals: A Case Study of an Active Older Adult

Abstract

In an effort to help all age groups better understand how much physical activity is necessary for health, the first comprehensive set of national guidelines have been established. Effectively applying these guidelines to older adults is of particular importance due to the characteristically lower physical activity levels of this population. Determining the most appropriate combination of activities to successfully attain the goals can be challenging. Therefore, to better understand the extent to which different physical activities meet minute and step-based physical activity standards, this study examined the physical activity patterns of an active older adult over a 1-year period. This active participant recorded daily physical activities, and the results showed the highest goal attainment was for 150 minutes per week and 8,000 daily steps for 5 days per week. Health professionals may want to consider volume-based physical activity goals (both in minutes and steps) for greater success in older adults.

Keywords:

• case study
• physical activity goals
• older adults
• activity guidelines
• step counts