Factors Affecting Physical Activity Levels among the Korean Elderly with Osteoarthritis: Focusing on Gender Differences

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to provide basic data to explore strategies for promoting physical activity differentiated according to the gender of the elderly with osteoarthritis.Methods: This study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014-2021). Those aged 65 or older and diagnosed with osteoarthritis were included, and a total of 2,915 people were analyzed (male=553 and female=2,362). The level of ph guidelines presented by the World Health Organization. Less than 600 metabolic equivalent of tasks (METs)-minutes/week or no physical activity was classified as light-intensity physical activity, and if METs-min/week was 600 or more, it was classified as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The data analyzed using Rao-Scott chi-square and multiple logistic regression ysical activity was calculated according to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire analysisanalyses to account for the complex sampling design.Results: In the elderly male with osteoarthritis, the level of physical activity was low in the case of high age, no spouse, low education level, and poor subjective health condition. In the elderly women, age, residential area, and subjective health status were found to be significant influencing factors.Conclusions: Differences in influencing factors by gender should be considered in the physical activity improvement intervention program for older adults with osteoarthritis. Furthermore, intervention studies must examine the effects of gender-specific programs on physical activity of older adults with osteoarthritis.