Ashley Artese

The five-factor model of personality and physical inactivity: A meta-analysis of 16 samples

A sedentary lifestyle is harmful for health; personality traits may contribute to physical (in)activity. With participant-level data from 16 samples (N>125,000), we examined the personality correlates of physical inactivity, frequency of physical activity, and sedentary behavior (in a subset of samples). Lower Neuroticism and higher Conscientiousness were associated with more physical activity and less inactivity and sedentary behavior. Extraversion and Openness were also associated with more physical activity and less inactivity, but these traits were mostly unrelated to specific sedentary behaviors (e.g., TV watching). The results generally did not vary by age or sex. The findings support the notion that the interest, motivational, emotional, and interpersonal processes assessed by five-factor model traits partly shape the individuals engagement in physical activity.

Personality and actigraphy-measured physical activity in older adults.

Most studies on personality and physical activity have relied on self-report measures. This study examined the relation between Five Factor Model personality traits and objective physical activity in older adults. Sixty-nine participants (Mage = 80.2 years; SD = 7.1) wore the ActiGraph monitor for 7 days and completed the NEO Personality Inventory-3 First Half. Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness were associated with more moderate physical activity and more steps per day whereas Neuroticism was inversely related to these physical activity measures (&bgr;s > .20). The associations for Neuroticism and Conscientiousness were attenuated by approximately 20–40% when accounting for disease burden and body mass index but were essentially unchanged for Extraversion and Agreeableness. These findings confirm self-report evidence that personality traits are associated with physical activity levels in older adults.

A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Group Exercise and Animal-Assisted Therapy in Older Adults

This pilot study assessed the feasibility of incorporating animal-assisted therapy teams (ATT) into a 6-week group exercise program for older adults (77 ± 6 years). Fifteen participants were randomly assigned to an exercise with ATT (E+ATT; n = 8) or exercise only (E; n = 7) group. Groups exercised 3x/week for 45 min. Feasibility was assessed by three objectives: (1) ATT will not need extensive preparation beyond their original therapy training; (2) the study will require minimal cost; and (3) ATT must not impair the effectiveness of the exercise program. By the study conclusion, all objectives were met. Time and cost were minimal for ATT, and adherence was 93% and 90% for E+ATT and E, respectively. There were significant improvements in both groups (p ≤ .05) for arm curls, get-up and go, and 6-min walk. The results of this pilot study suggest that it is feasible to incorporate ATT into group exercise programming for older adults.

The benefits of resistance training in breast cancer survivors: a focus on maintaining bone density

ABSTRACT While prognosis for breast cancer has improved, breast cancer survivors (BCS) contend with numerous side effects from cancer treatment. One side effect is an accelerated loss of bone mineral density (BMD) of 2-8% during treatment. While pharmacological treatments may be effective in combatting BMD loss, these medications may cause unwanted side effects. Resistance training may serve as an effective alternative to pharmacological treatments to help preserve BMD. The current literature shows that resistance training has been successful in maintaining BMD among BCS compared to non-exercising controls both during and after cancer treatments. While this non-pharmacological method may be helpful in attenuating BMD losses, there is no evidence supporting resistance training as a sufficient method for increasing BMD in BCS. Therefore, more research is needed to determine if resistance training alone or combined with higher impact exercises (plyometrics, hopping, jumping) has the potential to elicit BMD improvements in BCS.

Types of Exercise: Flexibility, Strength, Endurance, Balance

Different exercise components—flexibility, strength, endurance, and balance—provide different benefits to older adults. Prior to starting exercise, an assessment of current function and fitness is helpful. “Start low and go slow” is the mantra for older adults beginning exercise programs. Although a multicomponent exercise program is optimal, it may overwhelm some beginning exercisers, who can start with one component and add others over time.