Key result
Greater financial strain and instrumental support are linked to reduced exercise in older Japanese females.
Why the study?
Financial strain negatively affects healthy behaviors, but few studies have investigated its impact on exercise frequency and the mitigating role of social support in older adults.
Does financial strain and social support affect the frequency of exercise in older Japanese adults?
Cohort (n=3,911)
Does financial strain and social support affect the frequency of exercise in older Japanese adults?
Effect estimate: b = -0.018 (95% CI -0.032 to -0.004)
p-value: p=0.011
Financial strain is negatively correlated with exercise frequency among older females, and instrumental support may paradoxically reduce exercise in this group.
Financial strain may curb exercise in older women receiving more instrumental support; leaves open targeted interventions and sex-specific mechanisms.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that financial strain has deleterious effects on healthy behaviors. Moreover, social support is expected to mitigate these effects, but few studies have investigated the effects of exercise; thus, the investigation can deepen our understanding of the relationship between social support and physical activity/exercise. We examined the relationship between financial strain and frequency of exercise, and the role of social support in this relationship in old age. METHODS: Data came from a 19-year longitudinal study conducted between 1987 and 2006 of Japanese adults aged 60 or more with up to seven repeated observations. Frequency of exercise was assessed using a four-point scale. Financial strain was measured using the responses to three questions related to financial condition. This study considered both emotional and instrumental supports. Covariates included demographic and socioeconomic factors, health behaviors, and health condition. RESULTS: The analysis included 3,911 participants. The results of a generalized estimation equation model showed that among females, greater financial strain in the previous wave was associated with reduced frequency of exercise (b = -0.018; 95% confidence interval, -0.032 to -0.004), and that as financial strain increased, those who received more instrumental support engaged in less exercise than those who received less support (b = -0.009; 95% confidence interval, -0.017 to -0.002). These relationships were not observed among males. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that financial strain is negatively correlated with frequency of exercise among older females. In addition, instrumental support is negatively correlated with frequency of exercise among females under financial strain.
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Komazawa et al. (2020) conducted a cohort in Older adults (n=3,911). Financial strain vs. Lower financial strain was evaluated on Frequency of exercise (b = -0.018, 95% CI -0.032 to -0.004, p=0.011). Among older Japanese females, greater financial strain was associated with reduced frequency of exercise (b = -0.018), and those receiving more instrumental support engaged in even less exercise.
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