Comparing Physical Activity And Sedentary Time Between Elder Runners And Non-runners In Puerto Rico

Abstract

Ageing is associated with dramatic reductions in physical activity (PA) and increased sedentary time (ST), both associated with poor health outcomes. Yet, a limited number of elders maintain high level PA through participation in long distance running. The evaluation of PA and ST between elder runners and non-runners using accelerometers is very limited. PURPOSE: To compare PA, ST, and anthropometric characteristic of Hispanic elder long distance runners and non-runners in Puerto Rico. METHODS: Elder runners (n=14) from the Master’s Athletic Federation and non-runners (n=15) from elderly home centers (66.5±6.8 and 67.2±4.8 years of age, respectively, P=0.75) wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer on the right hip attached to an elastic belt during seven consecutive days. Runners self-reported an average of 5.5 miles/day, 3-6 days per week of running. Non-runners did not participate in formal PA program. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist and hip circumferences) were obtained to determine body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and waist to height ratio (WHtR). Independent t-tests were used to determine differences between groups, and Spearman correlations to determine associations between variables. RESULTS: Runners compared with non-runners had higher moderate to vigorous PA (101.5±33.4 vs. 12.5±4.2 min/week; P=0.01), less ST (6.9±2.0 vs. 8.4±1.3 hr/day, P=0.03), and lower BMI and WHtR (23.3±2.8 vs. 32.3±6.5 kg/m2, P=0.001; 0.49±0.05 vs. 0.65±0.09, P<0.0001; respectively). WHR was not different between groups (0.89±0.07 vs. 0.94±0.07, P=0.14). BMI and WHtR significantly correlated with PA (rs= -0.37, -0.44; respectively, P<0.05) and ST (rs= 0.36, 0.34; respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although differences in PA, ST, and anthropometric characteristics between elder runners and non-runners were in the expected direction, runners did not achieve the minimal PA recommendation. Further evaluations must clarify the gap between accelerometer detection of PA and self-reported training among elder runners. Also, the dramatic low PA and high ST among elder non-runners highlights that elder home centers in Puerto Rico must integrate programs to increase PA and reduce ST in this population.