Effects of Reallocating Time Spent in Different Physical Activity Intensities on Sarcopenia Risk in Older Adults: An Isotemporal Substitution Analysis.

Jort Veen,Fawzi Kadi,Diego Montiel-Rojas,Andreas Nilsson

doi:10.3390/biology11010111

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe role of daily time spent sedentary and in different intensities of physical activity (PA) for maintenance of muscle health is currently unclear. Therefore, we investigated the impact of reallocating time spent in different PA intensities on a sarcopenia risk score (SRS) in older adults, while considering PA type (muscle strengthening activities, MSA) and protein intake. In the present study, we show for the first time that reallocating sedentary time with at least light-intensity PA was significantly related to a lower SRS, which remained evident after adjustment by PA type (MSA) and protein intake. Similarly, reallocating time in light- to moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA was related to a significantly lower SRS. Our results emphasize the importance of displacing sedentary behaviours for more active pursuits, where PA of even light intensities may alleviate age-related deteriorations of muscle health in older adults.The role of daily time spent sedentary and in different intensities of physical activity (PA) for the maintenance of muscle health currently remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the impact of reallocating time spent in different PA intensities on sarcopenia risk in older adults, while considering PA type (muscle strengthening activities, MSA) and protein intake. In a sample of 235 community-dwelling older adults (65–70 years), a sarcopenia risk score (SRS) was created based on muscle mass assessed by bioimpedance, together with handgrip strength and performance on the five times sit-to-stand (5-STS) test assessed by standardized procedures. Time spent in light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and being sedentary was assessed by accelerometry, and PA type (MSA) by self-report. Linear regression models based on isotemporal substitution were employed. Reallocating sedentary time to at least LPA was significantly (p < 0.05) related to a lower SRS, which remained evident after adjustment by PA type (MSA) and protein intake. Similarly, reallocating time in LPA by MVPA was related to a significantly (p < 0.05) lower SRS. Our results emphasize the importance of displacing sedentary behaviours for more active pursuits, where PA of even light intensities may alleviate age-related deteriorations of muscle health in older adults.

Highlights

While prolonged periods of sedentary behaviour have been shown to contribute to an increased sarcopenia risk in older adults [2,3], time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) (MVPA) has been shown to be positively related to muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance [4–9]
A novel finding of the present study was that replacement of a 10 min bout of daily sedentary time with a corresponding bout of at least light-intensity PA (LPA) is associated with a lower sarcopenia risk in older adults, with greater benefits on sarcopenia risk score (SRS) and its components when further displacing time bouts of LPA by corresponding bouts of MVPA
Our analysis showed that the impacts of reducing sedentary time for PA of any intensity on SRS were mirrored at the level of the muscle mass component, whereas higher intensity PA was required to infer benefits on 5-STS and Handgrip strength (HG) performances

Summary

Introduction

The ageing process is accompanied by a progressive deterioration of muscle health, including a decline in muscle mass, strength and physical performance. This age-related deterioration of muscle health increases the risk of developing sarcopenia, a condition defined as a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder characterized by an increased risk of falls, physical disability and mortality (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP)) [1]. Uncertainties remain about the role of light-intensity PA (LPA) in the preservation of muscle health, which is unfortunate given that older adults are likely to spend more time in LPA at the expense of MVPA

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