Active ageing - The AGNES study
In our study we have defined active ageing on an individual level. Active ageing means wellness promotion according to one’s individual goals, abilities and opportunities. In the first phase of the study, we developed a new scale, University of Jyvaskyla Active Ageing Scale (UJACAS), for quantifying active ageing based on individual goals.
In the second phase, we investigated the determinants and modifiers of active ageing by collecting data on activity, health, and physical and cognitive functioning. Data was collected from 75, 80 and 85 year old people in Jyväskylä during 2017 and 2018. We invited participants for a home interview, clinical assessment, and physical and cognitive performance tests in our laboratory at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä.
In May 2020, the data set was complemented with AGNES-COVID-19 postal survey. In this follow-up study, we investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of and changes in mobility, activity, and quality of life during COVID-19 social distancing compared to 2 years before.
The third data collection (The AGNES follow-up study) was carried out 2021-2022. All the previously attended participants were asked to participate. The study focused on changes in activity, health, functioning and wellbeing after years 2017-2018. The aim is to define how the changes differ between people with varying life stituations and which factors contribute to these changes. In addition, long-term consequenses of the COVID-19 pandemic are under examination. The AGNES follow-up study consists of home interviews and performance tests in laboratories at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences.
Principal investigator
Professor Taina Rantanen, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä
Funding
The 5-year AGNES study is funded by the Academy of Finland and the European Union via its distinguished ERC Advanced Grant for ground-breaking research.
