Abstract
Background: Older adults spend most of their day in sedentary behavior (SB) (i.e., prolonged sitting), increasing risk for negative health outcomes, functional loss, and diminished ability for activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot test an intervention designed to reduce SB in older adults that could be translated to communities. Methods: Two pilot studies implementing a 4-week SB intervention were conducted. SB,physical function, and health-related quality of life were measured via self-report and objective measures. Participants (N=21) completed assessments pre- and post-intervention (studies 1 and 2) and at follow-up (4-weeks post-intervention; study 2). Due to the pilot nature of this research, data were analyzed with Cohen’s d effect sizes to examine the magnitude of change in outcomes following the intervention. Results: Results for study 1 indicated moderate (d=0.53) decreases in accelerometry-obtained total SB and increases (d=0.52) in light intensity physical activity post-intervention. In study 2,there was a moderate decrease (d=0.57) in SB evident at follow-up. On average SB decreased by approximately 60 min/d in both studies. Also, there were moderate-to-large improvements in vitality (d=0.74; study 1) and gait speed (d=1.15; study 2) following the intervention. Further,the intervention was found to be feasible for staff to implement in the community. Conclusion: These pilot results informed the design of an ongoing federally funded randomized controlled trial with a larger sample of older adults from underserved communities. Effective,feasible, and readily-accessible interventions have potential to improve the health and function of older adults.
Highlights
It is well known that insufficient physical activity is a risk factor for numerous chronic diseases and premature mortality.[1,2] More recently, sedentary behavior (SB) has been identified as a health risk that is additional to, and distinct from, too little exercise
SB interventions have been found to be feasible to implement in other populations,[22] only recently have investigations begun to examine the feasibility and efficacy of administering interventions in older adults, especially to those who might experience greater barriers accessing the intervention
There is a recognized need for feasible, effective interventions that can be disseminated into real-world community health programs for older adults
Summary
It is well known that insufficient physical activity is a risk factor for numerous chronic diseases and premature mortality.[1,2] More recently, sedentary behavior (SB) has been identified as a health risk that is additional to, and distinct from, too little exercise. Older adults represent one of the fastest growing segments of the population and spend 60%-70% of their waking hours in sedentary activities, increasing their risk for negative health outcomes.[5] greater sedentary time is associated with an increased risk of functional decline, chronic disease, and premature mortality. Emerging research indicates that breaks in sedentary time (i.e., standing up) are associated with better health and function in older adults.[6] interventions that shift the focus from increasing exercise to breaking up extended sitting time by standing up and moving more throughout the day may improve the health of older adults, Koltyn et al but there is limited research examining such interventions. Older adults spend most of their day in sedentary behavior (SB) (i.e., prolonged sitting), increasing risk for negative health outcomes, functional loss, and diminished ability for activities of daily living. Feasible, and readily-accessible interventions have potential to improve the health and function of older adults
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