Beyond "Move More": Feeling the Rhythms of physical activity in mid and later-life. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phoenix, Cassandra; Bell, Sarah L.
• Is Part Of: Social science & medicine. Volume 231(2019)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 54
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Rhythm -- Physical activity -- Ageing -- Wellbeing -- Active mobilities -- Visual impairment -- Chronic illness; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine sociale -- Périodiques; Anthropologie médicale -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Psychologie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.05.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-9536

Abstract

Abstract: The last two decades have seen growing unease regarding the negative health consequences of increasing levels of physical inactivity, both in the UK and further afield. Public health initiatives and interventions aimed at increasing levels of physical activity have, therefore, become somewhat commonplace. Within the current context of demographic change, with growing numbers of older adults and evidence that inactivity increases with age, these initiatives hold particular relevance to mid and later-life adults. Yet despite their prevalence, the policy gains from such promotional efforts have typically been modest at best, demonstrating the limits to decontextualized health messages that encourage people to 'sit less', 'move more' or 'move faster'. In this paper, we draw on the concept of rhythm, to provide an original contribution in response to recent calls to rethink existing approaches to physical activity in mid-life and beyond. We draw from three qualitative data sets from separate studies exploring health, wellbeing and ageing (two in the context of chronic health conditions and sensory impairments). Inspired by facet methodology, we advance knowledge by providing 'flashes of insight' into the subtle patterns and tempos that frame physical activity in mid and later life. In doing so, we offer alternative insight into how people avail themselves to, and experience motion and stillness during these life stages. That alternative, as we also note, has an important role to play in the development of appropriate, relatable health messages regarding movement that recognises 'expertise by experience'. Highlights: Instructions to simply 'move more' can overlook the impact of context on PA. Experiences of physical activity are shaped by numerous rhythmic flows. Rhythm provides new ways of understanding PA in mid-later life.