SEASONAL-VARIATION IN PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY IN OLDER ADULTS

This study aimed to determine the seasonal variation patterns in the p hysical activity of older subjects from two different studies in Canad a and the United States. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA ) was performed for total participation time by four seasons for the U S sample. Analysis revealed a significant main effect for season, with the four activities that accounted for the majority of physical activ ity participation time largely responsible for extreme swings in the t otal participation time across season. Repeated measures ANOVA also wa s used to analyze total participation frequency in the Canadian (Saska tchewan) sample. Analysis again confirmed a significant main effect fo r season. As in the US sample, activities largely dependent on tolerab le weather conditions were most affected by cold seasons.