Positive Association of Physical Activity with Both Objective and Perceived Measures of the Neighborhood Environment among Older Adults: The Aichi Workers' Cohort Study

Relationship between Phase Angle and Physical Activity Intensity among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between phase angle (PhA) and physical activity intensity in community-dwelling older Japanese adults. The intensity and time of physical activity for predicting high PhA were also examined. This study involved 67 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 78.3 ± 5.5; female: 83.6%). We measured the physical activity and body composition of the participants. Physical activity was measured using a triaxial accelerometer, and light-intensity physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) hours per day were calculated from the results. Body composition was measured using Inbody S10, and the PhA was calculated from the measurements of the right side of the body. Bayesian statistical modeling revealed an association between PhA and MVPA (β = 0.256; p = 0.022; 95% Bayesian confidence interval [CI] = 0.001, 0.012), but not LPA (β = -0.113; p = 0.341; 95% Bayesian CI = -0.002, 0.001), even after adjustment for confounders. The cutoff value of MVPA predicting high PhA, calculated by the receiver operator characteristic curve, was 19.7 min/d (sensitivity = 0.906; specificity = 0.429). These results can be used to develop strategies to increase PhA in older adults and suggest that MVPA is important in this population.

The Smiles of Older People through Recreational Activities: Relationship between Smiles and Joy

Recreational activities are found to increase people's smiles, arising joy in older people, but there is limited research on this topic within the Japanese context. This cross-sectional study aimed to measure the quality and frequency of smiles in older people living in rural settings using a smile analysis application. The participants comprised 13 females aged over 65 years who lived in Unnan City, Japan, and regularly attended recreational meetings. In this study, the recreational activity that the participants joined was a game called Mattoss. A video camera captured the participants' faces, while a smile assessment application assessed their facial expressions for smiles and joy. A total of 2767 smiles were recorded. For validity, we calculated the Spearman's rho score between smile and joy, which was 0.9697 (p < 0.001), while for reliability, we determined the Spearman's rho score for each participant, which exceeded 0.7 (p < 0.001). Surges of smiles were induced by one's own mistakes, successes, and big mistakes in the game and by severe or mild judgments by the referee. High validity and reliability of smile evaluation were demonstrated. The study found that smiling increased during recreational activities. Therefore, recreational activities can be encouraged for older people living in rural communities.