Physical activity and personal networks in later life and across the life course: determinants and impacts

The pace of global aging and its local variations within sub-regions and countries is remarkable due to various combinations of increasing longevity and declining fertility. Although not inevitable, the demographic transition often goes along with many socioeconomic and health-related complications and presents profound challenges for families, health and social services, and the well-being of older persons. Social networks and adaptive lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity may proffer a capacity to cope with life course events and to maintain older age independence (able to live without assistance in daily activities) particularly in resource constrained settings. 

The health-related usefulness of social relationships and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity has been recognized. Yet, the life course impacts of these important social determinants of health on key components of active aging largely remains nascent particularly in low-income countries. Various life course events such as retirement, loneliness, loss of spouse and solitude are common in later life and strongly relate to health challenges including frailty, disability, dementia and premature mortality. Higher degree of social connectedness and regular physical activity interventions may buffer, delay or counter the risks of physical and cognitive dysregulation and inflammation in exposure-response relationships during older age. Paucity of data on the life course determinants and health-related impacts of personal networks and physical activity engagement may potentially blur the effort to maintain the highest degree of quality of life and to achieving successful aging. The aim of this research topic is to highlight the gaps in knowledge in the life course impacts of social interrelationships and physical activity participations on health outcomes in older age.  

This Research Topic welcomes high-quality transdisciplinary research and reviews chiefly focusing on the life course social determinants of health and wellbeing in later life:  

1. Impacts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on the quality of life of older persons.

2. Life course perspectives of the impacts of social relationships, intergenerational support and community participation (including volunteering) on health and wellbeing in older age. 

3. Multi-sectoral and community approaches and interventions to improve social integration and physical activity participation in older age.

Manuscripts relating to the other lifestyle behaviors and choices will be considered given that they are novel and offer innovative health and social policy interventions.