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Background: Ethnic/racial minorities often live in neighborhoods that are not conducive to physical activity (PA) participation. We examined perceived factors related to walking/PA among Spanish- and English-speaking older Latinos in a low-income, multi-ethnic neighborhood. Method: Exploratory focus group study was conducted with Latinos stratified by preferred language and gender: English-speaking women (n = 7, M age = 74.6); English-speaking men (n = 3, M age = 69.3); Spanish-speaking women (n = 5, M age = 66.4); Spanish-speaking men (n = 5, M age = 74.0). Focus group audio files were transcribed, and qualitative research software was used to code and analyze documents. Results: At the individual level, reasons for exercising (improved health) and positive health outcome expectancies (weight loss and decreased knee pain) were discussed. Neighborhood/environmental factors of safety (fear of crime), neighborhood changes (lack of jobs and decreased social networks), weather, and destination walking were discussed. Discussion: Individual and environmental factors influence PA of older, urban Latinos, and should be taken into consideration in health promotion efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older Latinos have low rates of physical activity (PA) and poor health outcomes. Focus groups and a single group, pre–post 3-month pilot of a culturally appropriate Latin dance program (BAILAMOS©) were conducted among older, inactive Latinos with a self-identified mobility limitation. Nine themes emerged from focus groups, including cultural influences of dance and barriers to dancing. In the pilot intervention, 9 of 13 older Latinos completed the program and attended 85% of the sessions. Self-reported PA significantly increased (p < .05; d = 1.39), but daily accelerometer-assessed PA decreased for moderate-intensity PA (p = .18; d = 0.29). Participants reported significantly greater enjoyment of PA (p < .05; d = 0.61) and improved physical quality of life (p = .23; d = 0.31). Improvements in mobility (p = .15; d = 0.56) and aspects of cognition were demonstrated. The BAILAMOS program appears to be feasible, culturally appropriate, and has the potential to improve psychosocial determinants of PA, self-reported PA, and aspects of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older Latinos represent a growing segment of our population, yet little is known about whether older Latinos are following the recommended Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which promotes certain food groups to reduce blood pressure (BP) over and above established strategies. Among Latinos, greater acculturation to the American society has been associated with suboptimal dietary choices and risk for chronic diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess differences in DASH accordance/adherence by BP status taking into account level of acculturation. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving older Latinos wherein DASH accordance and adherence were calculated on the basis of nutrient analyses of food frequency questionnaires. A DASH score of 4.5 or higher indicated accordance, and a DASH Adherence Index greater than 0 indicated adherence. Blood pressure was measured in triplicate using Omron HEM-907XL and was categorized according to BP level and/or antihypertensive medication. The Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II was used to rate level of acculturation. Results: Participants were 169 Latinos, primarily women (73%) and older (66 u 9.0 years); the majority were hypertensive (66%), preferred speaking in Spanish (85%), and were more Latino oriented (63%) with respect to acculturation status. Overall, participants were moderately DASH accordant (4.2 ± 1.6) and DASH adherent (-0.8 ± 0.8). Acculturation scores (odds ratio, 1.4-1.7, P < 0.02) were predictive of hypertensive status (defined as BP ≥140/90 mm Hg) regardless of which dietary score was modeled. Conclusion: Based on these findings, greater attention should be paid to identification of traditional Latino foods and food preparation that are consistent and acceptable to this older community in effort to foster greater DASH accordance and improve BP status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising costs of health and social support systems for an aging population will become unsustainable without proactive steps to create individual and environmental changes that promote successful aging. Unfortunately, many older adults do not currently have a healthy lifestyle and are at risk for poor health outcomes, including chronic illnesses and mortality. The authors review the behavioral and psychosocial correlates of health and well-being, which include resilience, self-efficacy, smoking, physical activity, diet, good sleep, and having a strong social network, and linked them to the concept of successful aging. They discuss the unique challenges of maintaining health behaviors among older adults over time and review 3 of the most common approaches to lifestyle intervention in older adults (ie, social cognitive theory, the transtheoretical model, and social ecological models). They conclude that initiation and maintenance of behaviors require perceptions of control (self-efficacy), a belief in the positive health outcomes for performing these behaviors, and a value for the outcome (outcome expectancy) for successful aging to be realized. Moreover, more research is needed that takes a broader ecological perspective that makes use of multilevel strategies to behavior change in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: Aging is associated with declines in cognition and mental health that might be ameliorated by physical activity (PA). Dance integrates multiple physical, cognitive, and social elements, and might be an avenue for improving cognition and mood. This systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) examined the effects of formal and traditional dance on cognition, depression, and anxiety in older adults., Methods: Five database searches yielded 17 randomized control trials (RCT). RCTs were included if participants were ≥ 60 years and healthy or living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We examined interventions of dance against any comparison group. Records were independently screened, and data were extracted by 2 reviewers. We performed random-effects models using robust variance estimation and tested individual treatment, study, and outcome level moderators using the approximate Hotelling-Zhang test., Results: 17 RCTs were included in the systematic review, but 13 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis which included 1,174 participants with a mean age of 70.7 years, and 66.3% were female. There were 76 effect sizes (Hedges' g) calculated from the 13 RCTs with a range between -0.97 through 2.88. The overall effect of dance interventions on cognition was significant, yet small (g = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.50; p = 0.022), and the effect on depression was significant and nearly moderate (g = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.80; p = 0.036); only one RCT examined anxiety and was not included. No moderator variables significantly explained variation in the effects of dance on cognitive function or depression (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: Dance interventions can improve cognition and depression in older adults. Additional research is needed regarding the effects of dance on anxiety and depression in older adults., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest and Funding Source: There is no financial support to disclose. The authors have no competing interests related to this topic., (Copyright © 2024 by the American College of Sports Medicine.)

Context: Sport and physical activity (PA) programs are an important developmental resource for youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Disruptive Behavior Disorders. The purpose of this study is to assess sport participation rates, PA participation, and after-school supervision rates among African American children with ADHD and/or Disruptive Behavior Disorders., Design: In this cross-sectional study, parents of African American children with elevated symptoms of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and/or conduct disorder (N = 175, 6- to 12-y-old, 31% female) reported after-school program participation over the past year., Methods: Logistic regression analyses tested relationships between ADHD symptoms, oppositional defiant disorder symptoms, and conduct disorder symptoms, likelihood of regular participation (≥2 d/wk) in sport, PA, and sedentary after-school programs, and likelihood of being supervised and unsupervised after school. All regressions controlled for age, sex, income, and medication status. Sample participation rates were descriptively compared with participation rates of same-aged peers regionally, and nationally, reported in 3 national surveys., Results: Parents in the local sample reported higher rates of sedentary after-school program participation (54%) but lower rates of PA program participation (31%), and sport participation (12%) compared with same-aged peers. The local sample was less likely to be unsupervised after-school compared with same-aged peers with only 27% of parents reporting that their child was unsupervised ≥ 2 days per week. Children endorsing oppositional defiant disorder (odds ratio = 2.05; P < .05) and conduct disorder (odds ratio = 5.74; P < .05) were more likely to be unsupervised more frequently after-school as compared with those not meeting endorsement., Conclusions: Given demonstrated benefits of youth sport programming and observed inequities in participation, there is a need to develop support models that connect parents, coaches, and social services agencies to facilitate inclusion. Sports medicine professionals are uniquely positioned to contribute to these efforts, as they are often key opinion leaders in both the youth sport and health care contexts.

Suicide and contributing mental health conditions in athletes are shared concerns within health care and society at large. This commentary focuses on suicide risk among athletes and the role of sports medicine professionals in preventing suicide and promoting mental health. In this commentary, we draw on the scientific literature and our clinical experiences to pose and answer these questions: Does suicide risk among athletes vary by sociodemographic factors (eg, sex, gender, race/ethnicity, family income, sexual orientation) or if injured? Do sociodemographic differences influence access to and benefits from services among athletes? How do I know my athletes are at risk for suicide? What do I do if one of my athletes shares with me that they have considered suicide? Within our commentary, we review the current literature and clinical practices regarding these questions and close with actionable suggestions and recommendations for future directions.