Abstract
BackgroundResearch supports that moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is key to prolonged health and function. Among older adults, substantial changes to MVPA may be infeasible, thus a growing literature suggests a shift in focus to whole-day activity patterns.MethodsWith data from 795 older adults aged 65–100 in the Adult Changes in Thought Activity Monitoring study, we used linear regression to estimate associations between ActiGraph and activPAL measured activity patterns – including light intensity physical activity, steps, standing, and sedentary behaviors – and physical function as measured by a short Performance-based Physical Function (sPPF) score (range 0–12), a composite score based on three standardized physical performance tasks: gait speed, timed chair stands, and grip strength. We examined whether relationships persisted when controlling for MVPA or differed across age, gender, or quartiles of MVPA.ResultsIn models unadjusted for MVPA, a 1-standard deviation (SD) increment of daily sitting (1.9 h more), mean sitting bout duration (8 min longer average), or time spent in sedentary activity (1.6 h more) was associated with ~ 0.3–0.4 points lower mean sPPF score (all p < 0.05). A 1-SD increment in daily steps (~ 3500 more steps) was associated with ~ 0.5 points higher mean sPPF score (95% CI: 0.22 to 0.73). MVPA adjustment attenuated all relationships. The association between physical function and steps was strongest among adults aged 75+; associations of worse function with greater sedentary behavior were more pronounced in participants with the lowest levels of MVPA.ConclusionsWe found associations between function and activity metrics other than MVPA in key subgroups, findings that support research on broader activity patterns and may offer ideas regarding practical intervention opportunities for improving function in older adults.
Highlights
Research supports that moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is key to prolonged health and function
The goal of the current study was to assess in older adults whether potential associations between objectively measured physical function and device-based measures of whole-day activity patterns – including light intensity physical activity, steps, standing time, and several sedentary behavior pattern metrics – persist beyond MVPA, and whether associations are differentiated across age, gender, or activity levels
We fit a separate model for each exposure including: sitting time; standing time; mean sitting bout duration; steps; and time spent in sedentary activity, light intensity physical activity, and MVPA
Summary
Research supports that moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is key to prolonged health and function. Substantial changes to MVPA may be infeasible, a growing literature suggests a shift in focus to whole-day activity patterns. The current literature examining physical activity, sedentary behavior, and health in older adults suggests that higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) are key to prolonged health and function [2]. Among older adults, for whom physical function typically declines with age [3, 4], increasing MVPA may not be feasible due to existing limitations in functional exercise capacity [5, 6]. Sedentary time has been associated with conditions linked to functional and physical decline, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and related factors (measures of insulin, glucose, and blood pressure) [21,22,23], and evidence is growing that links total sedentary time and patterns of sedentary time to physical function [24,25,26,27]
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