Olscamp Kate, Tang Weizhou, Choi Seul Ki, Kannaley Kristie, Wilcox Sara, Friedman Daniela B
University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA.
Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2019 Jun 13;5:2333721419855794. doi: 10.1177/2333721419855794. eCollection 2019 Jan-Dec.
Growing research suggests regular physical activity as a strategy for reducing risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, there is little research available regarding public messages about the connection between physical activity and brain health. This study aimed to (a) examine the volume and content of regular physical activity and brain health messages being distributed by national organizations, and (b) explore how informal caregivers perceive and comprehend brain health messages. Methods included (a) a content analysis of 155 online documents related to physical activity and aging that were located on national physical activity organizations' websites, and (b) a thematic analysis of transcripts and observer notes from two focus groups with 10 informal caregivers recruited at a support organization for AD caregivers in the southeastern United States. Content analysis results revealed limited information about the physical activity and brain health connection. Focus group results revealed that caregivers had limited exposure to information about the physical activity and brain health connection and were concerned about the credibility of this information. Further research is needed regarding brain health and physical activity messages and the potential benefits of collaboration among physical activity organizations, researchers, and health care professionals in delivering consistent and credible messages to the public.
越来越多的研究表明,定期进行体育锻炼是降低患阿尔茨海默病(AD)风险的一种策略;然而,关于体育锻炼与大脑健康之间联系的公共信息方面的研究却很少。本研究旨在(a)调查国家组织发布的关于定期体育锻炼和大脑健康信息的数量及内容,以及(b)探讨非正式照料者如何看待和理解大脑健康信息。方法包括(a)对国家体育活动组织网站上找到的155份与体育锻炼和衰老相关的在线文档进行内容分析,以及(b)对在美国东南部一个AD照料者支持组织招募的10名非正式照料者组成的两个焦点小组的访谈记录和观察笔记进行主题分析。内容分析结果显示,关于体育锻炼与大脑健康联系的信息有限。焦点小组结果显示,照料者接触到的关于体育锻炼与大脑健康联系的信息有限,并且对这些信息的可信度表示担忧。关于大脑健康和体育锻炼信息,以及体育活动组织、研究人员和医疗保健专业人员之间合作在向公众传递一致且可信信息方面的潜在益处,还需要进一步研究。