scholarly journals Accelerometer Assessment of Physical Activity in Active, Healthy Older Adults

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Copeland ◽  
Dale W. Esliger

Despite widespread use of accelerometers to objectively monitor physical activity among adults and youth, little attention has been given to older populations. The purpose of this study was to define an accelerometer-count cut point for a group of older adults and to then assess the group’s physical activity for 7 days. Participants (N= 38, age 69.7 ± 3.5 yr) completed a laboratory-based calibration with an Actigraph 7164 accelerometer. The cut point defining moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was 1,041 counts/min. On average, participants obtained 68 min of MVPA per day, although more than 65% of this occurred as sporadic activity. Longer bouts of activity occurred in the morning (6 a.m. to 12 p.m.) more frequently than other times of the day. Almost 14 hr/day were spent in light-intensity activity. This study demonstrates the rich information that accelerometers provide about older adult activity patterns—information that might further our understanding of the relationship between physical activity and healthy aging.

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Peacock ◽  
Allan Hewitt ◽  
David A. Rowe ◽  
Rona Sutherland

Purpose:The study investigated (a) walking intensity (stride rate and energy expenditure) under three speed instructions; (b) associations between stride rate, age, height, and walking intensity; and (c) synchronization between stride rate and music tempo during overground walking in a population of healthy older adults.Methods:Twenty-nine participants completed 3 treadmill-walking trials and 3 overground-walking trials at 3 self-selected speeds. Treadmill VO2 was measured using indirect calorimetry. Stride rate and music tempo were recorded during overground-walking trials.Results:Mean stride rate exceeded minimum thresholds for moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) under slow (111.41 ± 11.93), medium (118.17 ± 11.43), and fast (123.79 ± 11.61) instructions. A multilevel model showed that stride rate, age, and height have a significant effect (p < .01) on walking intensity.Conclusions:Healthy older adults achieve MVPA with stride rates that fall below published minima for MVPA. Stride rate, age, and height are significant predictors of energy expenditure in this population. Music can be a useful way to guide walking cadence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiho Amagasa ◽  
Shigeru Inoue ◽  
Hiroshi Murayama ◽  
Takeo Fujiwara ◽  
Hiroyuki Kikuchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Physical inactivity can be associated adversely with markers of eye health, but little is known about how ophthalmic disease (OD) may be related to sedentary behaviour (SB) and different intensities of physical activity in older adults. We compared device-assessed time spent in SB, light-intensity PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) between older adults with and without OD. Methods A randomly-recruited sample of 512 community-dwelling older adults (47% male; aged 65–84 years) in Japan wore a valid tri-axial accelerometer for seven consecutive days in 2017. Prevalence of OD was assessed by medical interview. Times spent in SB, LPA, and MVPA were compared between those with and without OD by compositional multivariate analysis of covariance, adjusting for potential confounders (gender, age, residential area, living arrangement, working, body mass index, self-rated health, and cognitive function). Results Overall, percent times spent in SB, LPA, and MVPA during waking hours were 51.0, 44.6, and 4.4, respectively; and, 167 (36.5%) had OD. Activity patterns differed significantly between those with and without OD: in those with OD, the proportion of time spent in MVPA relative to other behaviours was lower, and the proportion of time spent in SB relative to other behaviours was higher. Conclusions Older adults with OD were found to be less physically active than those without. Key messages While these cross-sectional findings need to be confirmed by evidence from prospective studies, the reciprocal influences of OD and inactivity in older adults should be addressed as scientific, clinical and public health considerations.


Author(s):  
Irene Rodríguez-Gómez ◽  
Asier Mañas ◽  
José Losa-Reyna ◽  
Luis M. Alegre ◽  
Leocadio Rodríguez-Mañas ◽  
...  

The objectives were to clarify whether the relationship between physical performance and frailty was independently and jointly mediated by movement behaviors and body composition. We analyzed 871 older adults (476 women) from The Toledo Study for Healthy Aging. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) and fat index (FI) were determined using bone densitometry. Sedentary time (ST) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were assessed using accelerometry. The Frailty Trait Scale and The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were used to evaluate frailty and physical performance, respectively. Simple and multiple mediation analyses were carried out to determine the role of movement behaviors and body composition, adjusted for potential confounders. ST and MVPA acted independently as mediators in the relationship between SPPB and frailty (0.06% for ST and 16.89% for MVPA). FI also acted as an independent mediator in the same relationship (36.47%), while the mediation role of SMI was not significant. MVPA and FI both acted jointly as mediators in this previous relationship explaining 58.15% of the model. Our data support the fact that interventions should simultaneously encourage the promotion of MVPA and strategies to decrease the FI in order to prevent or treat frailty through physical performance improvement.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Vetrovsky ◽  
Dan Omcirk ◽  
Jan Malecek ◽  
Petr Stastny ◽  
Michal Steffl ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Exercise training is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health in aging populations. However, as people participate in structured exercise training, they tend to behaviorally compensate by decreasing their non-exercise physical activity, thus potentially blunting the benefits of the training program. Furthermore, physical activity of older adults is substantially influenced by physical feelings such as fatigue. Nevertheless, how older people react to day-to-day fluctuations of fatigue and whether fatigue plays a role in non-exercise physical activity compensation is not known. Thus, the purpose of this study was twofold: (1) To explore whether the volume and intensity of habitual physical activity in older adults were affected by morning fatigue. (2) To investigate the effect of attending power and resistance exercise sessions on the levels of non-exercise physical activity later that day and the following day. Methods Twenty-eight older adults wore an accelerometer during a 4-week low-volume, low-intensity resistance and power training program with three exercise sessions per week and for 3 weeks preceding and 1 week following the program. During the same period, the participants were prompted every morning, using text messages, to rate their momentary fatigue on a scale from 0 to 10. Results Greater morning fatigue was associated with lower volume (p = 0.002) and intensity (p = 0.017) of daily physical activity. Specifically, one point greater on the fatigue scale was associated with 3.2 min (SE 1.0) less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Furthermore, attending an exercise session was associated with less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity later that day by 3.7 min (SE 1.9, p = 0.049) compared to days without an exercise session. During the next day, the volume of physical activity was greater, but only in participants with a body mass index up to 23 (p = 0.008). Conclusions Following low-volume exercise sessions, fit and healthy older adults decreased their non-exercise physical activity later that day, but this compensation did not carry over into the next day. As momentary morning fatigue negatively affects daily physical activity, we suggest that the state level of fatigue should be monitored during intensive exercise programs, especially in less fit older adults with increased fatigability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. e111-e118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Karavirta ◽  
Timo Rantalainen ◽  
Heidi Skantz ◽  
Inna Lisko ◽  
Erja Portegijs ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Walking forms a large portion of physical activity (PA) of older adults. We assessed free-living PA using acceleration corresponding to preferred walking speed as a relative cut-point and studied how it relates to age. We compared the relative cut-point to a common absolute cut-point of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Method Four hundred forty-four community-dwelling adults aged 75, 80, and 85 years wore an accelerometer on the thigh during a PA surveillance period and a modified 6-minute walking test (6MWT) at preferred speed. Each individual’s mean acceleration (g) during the 6MWT was used as a cut-point for relative PA. Acceleration corresponding to three metabolic equivalents (METs) was used as the cut-point for absolute MVPA. Results When using the acceleration of preferred walking speed as a cut-point, 62 (SD 82) minutes a week of relative PA was detected, compared to 228 (163) minutes of absolute MVPA. For 96% of the participants, the acceleration generated by their preferred walking speed exceeded the common absolute cut-point for MVPA. Absolute MVPA was lower in the older age groups, and 6MWT speed explained 22% of its variation (p &lt; .001), whereas relative PA was independent of walking speed and age. Conclusions Preferred walking speed was a significant contributor to absolute MVPA and those who walked the slowest accumulated the least MVPA. Assessing relative PA using the intensity of preferred walking speed as a cut-point eliminated the dependency of PA on age and walking speed, and may be a feasible scaling option to evaluate relative PA among older people.


2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Dixon-Ibarra ◽  
Miyoung Lee ◽  
Anisia Dugala

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical activity patterns of older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in comparison with younger adults with ID and older adults without ID. A sample of 109 participants was included in the study. Sophisticated data reduction, time stamped technology, and multiple objective measures (i.e., pedometers and accelerometers) were used to determine physical activity intensities and walking patterns of participants. Results indicate that older adults with ID are performing less physical activity than comparison groups. A small proportion of older adults with ID (6%) met national physical activity recommendations of 150 min of moderate or 75 min of vigorous physical activity in bouts greater than ten minutes across the week (USDHHS, 2008). Sedentary behavior was also an observable factor in this study. These findings demonstrate the need for health promotion efforts for adults with ID across the lifespan.


Author(s):  
Anna Hall ◽  
Madisen Hillebrant-Openshaw ◽  
Sierra Baca-Zeff ◽  
Irene van Woerden

The amount of physical activity reported using accelerometry can vary depending on the method used. This study examined variability in four different methods of calculating moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among older adults, as well as lifestyle correlates of physical activity. The MVPA data were captured (n = 111; Mage = 70.3 years, SDage = 6.3) using waist-worn ActiGraph wGT3X-BT monitors and examined using 10-min bouted versus sporadic methods, and with cut points calibrated to older and younger adults. The sample, on average, did not meet national guidelines of 150 min/week of MVPA when using bouted methods, irrespective of cut point used. This was not the case for sporadic MVPA. More physical activity was reported for participants with two or more physical hobbies, but no association with social behavior was found. These results demonstrate the wide variability possible in reporting methods for accelerometry data and their relation to adherence rates for national health recommendations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel G. Curtis ◽  
Timothy Olds ◽  
François Fraysse ◽  
Dorothea Dumuid ◽  
Gilly A. Hendrie ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Almost one in three Australian adults are now obese, and the rate continues to rise. The causes of obesity are multifaceted and include environmental, cultural and lifestyle factors. Emerging evidence suggests there may be temporal patterns in weight gain related, for example, to season and major festivals such as Christmas, potentially due to changes in diet, daily activity patterns or both. The aim of this study is to track the annual rhythm in body weight, 24 h activity patterns, dietary patterns, and wellbeing in a cohort of Australian adults. In addition, through data linkage with a concurrent children’s cohort study, we aim to examine whether changes in children’s body mass index, activity and diet are related to those of their parents. Methods A community-based sample of 375 parents aged 18 to 65 years old, residing in or near Adelaide, Australia, and who have access to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device or a computer and home internet, will be recruited. Across a full year, daily activities (minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) will be measured using wrist-worn accelerometry (Fitbit Charge 3). Body weight will be measured daily using Fitbit wifi scales. Self-reported dietary intake (Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies V3.2), and psychological wellbeing (WHOQOL-BREF and DASS-21) will be assessed eight times throughout the 12-month period. Annual patterns in weight will be examined using Lowess curves. Associations between changes in weight and changes in activity and diet compositions will be examined using repeated measures multi-level models. The associations between parent’s and children’s weight, activity and diet will be investigated using multi-level models. Discussion Temporal factors, such as day type (weekday or weekend day), cultural celebrations and season, may play a key role in weight gain. The aim is to identify critical opportunities for intervention to assist the prevention of weight gain. Family-based interventions may be an important intervention strategy. Trial registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, identifier ACTRN12619001430123. Prospectively registered on 16 October 2019.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1877
Author(s):  
Rieke Trumpf ◽  
Wiebren Zijlstra ◽  
Peter Haussermann ◽  
Tim Fleiner

Applicable and accurate assessment methods are required for a clinically relevant quantification of habitual physical activity (PA) levels and sedentariness in older adults. The aim of this study is to compare habitual PA and sedentariness, as assessed with (1) a wrist-worn actigraph, (2) a hybrid motion sensor attached to the lower back, and (3) a self-estimation based on a questionnaire. Over the course of one week, PA of 58 community-dwelling subjectively healthy older adults was recorded. The results indicate that actigraphy overestimates the PA levels in older adults, whereas sedentariness is underestimated when compared to the hybrid motion sensor approach. Significantly longer durations (hh:mm/day) for all PA intensities were assessed with the actigraph (light: 04:19; moderate to vigorous: 05:08) when compared to the durations (hh:mm/day) that were assessed with the hybrid motion sensor (light: 01:24; moderate to vigorous: 02:21) and the self-estimated durations (hh:mm/day) (light: 02:33; moderate to vigorous: 03:04). Actigraphy-assessed durations of sedentariness (14:32 hh:mm/day) were significantly shorter when compared to the durations assessed with the hybrid motion sensor (20:15 hh:mm/day). Self-estimated duration of light intensity was significantly shorter when compared to the results of the hybrid motion sensor. The results of the present study highlight the importance of an accurate quantification of habitual PA levels and sedentariness in older adults. The use of hybrid motion sensors can offer important insights into the PA levels and PA types (e.g., sitting, lying) and it can increase the knowledge about mobility-related PA and patterns of sedentariness, while actigraphy appears to be not recommendable for this purpose.


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