Prevalence of physical activity behaviour in older people: findings from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project and Australian national survey data

Many older people lead sedentary lives. National Health Survey physical activityt prevalence data provide limited coverage of the old old (75 years plus). The Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) projects dataset provided physical activity data for 13 420 participants. Physical activity was measured. Data were weighted and prevalence was calculated. The frequency of walking in DYNOPTA was similar to that in the national sample. Walking remained relatively stable until a decline among persons aged 80 years and over; moderate and vigorous activity declined in all but a minority of persons aged 70 years and over. Although DYNOPTA participants reported more physical activity than those in the contemporary national survey, the rates of sedentary behaviour were high. We require more information about the oldest old (85+ years). There is great scope for increasing physical activity, even walking, among older people.