Gardening Activities and Physical Health Among Older Adults A Review of the Evidence

• Published in: Journal of applied gerontology Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 678 - 690
• Main Authors: Nicklett, Emily J., Anderson, Lynda A., Yen, Irene H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-06-2016; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aged; Aging - physiology; Energy; Energy Metabolism; Exercise; Gardening - methods; Gardens & gardening; Health; Health promotion; Health Status Disparities; Humans; Injuries; Older people; Participation; Physical Fitness; Systematic review; Task Performance and Analysis; older adults; programs; gardening tasks; physical activity
• ISSN: 0733-4648; 1552-4523
• DOI: 10.1177/0733464814563608

Few studies have examined the health-related consequences of gardening among older adults. This scoping review summarizes and characterizes current research that examines the relationship between physical health and participation in planned gardening activities, including establishing, maintaining, or caring for plants. Six databases were searched. Eligible studies were published between 2000 and 2013, were published in English, and assessed different aspects of physical health (e.g., functional ability, energy expenditure, injury) for older adults who had participated in a planned gardening activity. Of the eight eligible studies identified with these criteria, four assessed energy expenditures and four assessed physical functioning. Studies assessing energy expenditures documented that the majority of gardening tasks were classified into low-to-moderate intensity physical activity. The current literature does not provide sufficient evidence of the physical functioning consequences of gardening. Future studies should consider how specific gardening interventions help older adults meet physical activity guidelines.