Objectively assessed physical activity patterns and physical function in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan

ObjectivesTo objectively assess light physical activity (PA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), step counts and number of 10 min MVPA bouts and their association with physical function among older adults.DesignCross-sectional design.SettingUrban community setting in Taiwan.Participants127 Taiwanese older adults aged over 65 years (mean age=70.8±5.3 years; 72% women).Primary and secondary outcome measuresTriaxial accelerometers were used to measure PA variables for 10 hours/day for seven consecutive days. Then, five physical function components (handgrip strength, single-leg stance, 5-metre walk speed, timed up and go and sit-to-stand test) were measured. Multiple linear regressions were used to perform separate analyses for older men and women.ResultsFor older women, daily MVPA time (β: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.64; p=0.004), daily step counts (β: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.78; p=0.009) and number of 10 min MVPA bouts (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.53; p=0.049) were positively associated with handgrip strength after adjusting for accelerometer wear time, sedentary time and other confounders. Furthermore, daily MVPA time was positively associated with a single-leg stance (β: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.49; p=0.036) and higher daily step counts were associated with shorter walking speed performance (β: −0.31, 95% CI: −0.57, −0.001; p=0.049). None of the variables of the objectively assessed PA patterns was associated with physical function outcomes among older men due to their small sample size.ConclusionsDaily MVPA, MVPA bouts of at least 10 min and accumulated daily steps are important for improving physical function among older women. Future prospective research should establish causal associations between PA patterns and functional ability among older adults.

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Sedentary Patterns Are Associated with Bone Mineral Density and Physical Function in Older Adults: Cross-Sectional and Prospective Data

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17218198 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 8198 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Luís Alberto Gobbo ◽

Pedro B. Júdice ◽

Megan Hetherington-Rauth ◽

Luís B. Sardinha ◽

Vanessa Ribeiro Dos Santos

Keyword(s):

Bone Mineral Density ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Older Women ◽

Bone Mineral ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Sedentary Bouts ◽

The Impact

Aging causes some unfavorable morphological and functional changes, such as the decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and physical function. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time seem to be related with these alterations, but the impact of distinct patterns remains unclear. The aim of this study was to cross-sectionally and prospectively assess the association between objectively measured MVPA and sedentary patterns (bouts and breaks) with BMD and physical function in older adults. The study considered 151 Brazilians (aged ≥ 60 years), out of which 68 participants completed 2-year follow-up measurements. MVPA and sedentary patterns were measured by means of accelerometry, BMD—(total proximal femur and lumbar spine (L1-L4)) by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and physical function—by means of physical tests. In older women, sedentary bouts >60 min were inversely associated with handgrip strength (β = −2.03, 95% CI: from −3.43 to −0.63). The prospective analyses showed that changes in sedentary bouts (20 to 30 min and >60 min) were inversely associated with changes in the lumbar spine’s BMD (β = −0.01, 95% CI: from −0.01 to −0.00 and β = −0.03, 95% CI: from −0.06 to −0.01) and the lumbar spine’s T-score (β = −0.06, 95% CI: from −0.10 to −0.01 and β = −0.27, 95% CI: from −0.49 to −0.04), respectively. In older women, sedentary patterns are cross-sectionally associated with handgrip strength and prospectively associated with BMD independent of MVPA.

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Impact of Meeting Different Guidelines for Protein Intake on Muscle Mass and Physical Function in Physically Active Older Women

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10091156 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1156 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Andreas Nilsson ◽

Diego Montiel Rojas ◽

Fawzi Kadi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Older Women ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Dietary Protein Intake ◽

Physical Limitations

The role of dietary protein intake on muscle mass and physical function in older adults is important for the prevention of age-related physical limitations. The aim of the present study was to elucidate links between dietary protein intake and muscle mass and physical function in older women meeting current guidelines of objectively assessed physical activity. In 106 women (65 to 70 years old), protein intake was assessed using a 6-day food record and participants were classified into high and low protein intake groups using two Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) thresholds (0.8 g·kg−1 bodyweight (BW) and 1.1 g·kg−1 BW). Body composition, aerobic fitness, and quadriceps strength were determined using standardized procedures, and self-reported physical function was assessed using the SF-12 Health Survey. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry and self-report. Women below the 0.8 g·kg−1 BW threshold had a lower muscle mass (p < 0.05) with no differences in physical function variables. When based on the higher RDA threshold (1.1 g·kg−1 BW), in addition to significant differences in muscle mass, women below the higher threshold had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher likelihood of having physical limitations. In conclusion, the present study supports the RDA threshold of 0.8 g·kg−1 BW of proteins to prevent the loss of muscle mass and emphasizes the importance of the higher RDA threshold of at least 1.1 g·kg−1 BW to infer additional benefits on constructs of physical function. Our study also supports the role of protein intake for healthy ageing, even in older adults meeting guidelines for physical activity.

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Within-Person Dynamics of Older Adults’ Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sit-to-Stand Transitions

Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour ◽

10.1123/jmpb.2018-0024 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 159-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jaclyn P. Maher ◽

David E. Conroy

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Multilevel Modeling ◽

Daily Physical Activity ◽

Daily Step ◽

Step Counts ◽

Sit To Stand ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Standing Up

This study evaluated how older adults’ daily physical activity covaries with naturally occurring variation in both the duration and patterning of daily sedentary behavior. Older adults (n = 95) wore activPAL3 monitors for 15 consecutive days. Multilevel modeling regressed daily step counts on the frequency of sit-to-stand transitions and the duration of sedentary behavior. At the person-level, older adults who sat less (b = −14.31, p < .001) and stood up more frequently (b = 41.08, p = .01) took more steps on average. At the within-person level, older adults took more steps on days when they sat less than usual (b = −8.29, p < .001) and stood up more frequently than usual (b = 52.75, p < .001). Older adults’ daily physical activity may be influenced by interrupting sedentary behavior more frequently as well as reducing total sedentary behavior. It may be easier to monitor the frequency of discrete behaviors, like standing up, than it is to monitor the duration of continuous behaviors (e.g., walking, sitting).

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Daily Step Counts from the First Thailand National Steps Challenge in 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228433 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8433

Author(s):

Thitikorn Topothai ◽

Rapeepong Suphanchaimat ◽

Viroj Tangcharoensathien ◽

Weerasak Putthasri ◽

Thitiporn Sukaew ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Body Mass ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Daily Step ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Step Counts

Thailand’s first national steps challenge has been implemented in 2020 with the goal to raise the level of physical activity nationwide by monitoring achievements through a smartphone application. This study examined the daily step counts of participants in the first national steps challenge. Six data points from 186,653 valid participants were retrieved and analyzed in five periods using Poisson regression. The mean daily steps peaked at 3196 in Period 1, and steadily dropped to 1205 in Period 5. The daily steps per period were analyzed using the participants’ characteristics, such as the type of participant, sex, age, body mass index, and area of residence. The overall mean daily steps of the participants meant physical activity was far below the recommended level and tended to drop in later periods. The general population achieved significantly higher mean daily steps than public health officers or village health volunteers (24.0% by multivariate analysis). Participants who were female, younger (<45 years), obese (body mass index > 30), and living in rural areas had fewer mean daily steps (13.8%, 44.3%, 12.7%, and 14.7% by multivariate analysis, respectively), with statistical significance. In the future, the national steps challenge should be continuously implemented by counting all steps throughout a day, using more strategies to draw attention and raise motivation, advocating for more participants, as well as reporting the whole day step counts instead of distance.

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Older Adults’ Daily Step Counts and Time in Sedentary Behavior and Different Intensities of Physical Activity

Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.2188/jea.je20200080 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shiho Amagasa ◽

Noritoshi Fukushima ◽

Hiroyuki Kikuchi ◽

Koichiro Oka ◽

Sebastien Chastin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Daily Step ◽

Step Counts

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Does Gender Influence Physical Activity and Psychosocial Factors in Older Exercisers? A Pilot Study

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal ◽

10.1123/wspaj.21.1.61 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 61-70

Author(s):

Elizabeth Orsega-Smith ◽

Nancy Getchell ◽

Lindsay Palkovitz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Older Women ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Psychosocial Characteristics ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Physically Active ◽

Gender Influence

How does gender influence physical and psychosocial characteristics in physically active older adults? Much of the previous research on physical function in older women focuses on either the frailty of older women or on physical function irrespective of gender. These studies leave unknown the specific influence of regular physical activity on older women.Furthermore, few studies have examined the relationship between physical activity and psychosocial characteristics in older exercisers. We wanted to investigate whether differences exist between groups of older female and male adults who maintain a physically active lifestyle. Twenty-three female and 14 male physically active older adults performed physical function tests (i.e., chair stands, timed up-and-go, 6-minute walk) and filled out questionnaires related to psychosocial measures (i.e., social support, self-esteem, satisfaction with life). There were no differences in any physical function between the groups, and only one psychosocial measure (guidance) statistically differed (F (1, 31) = 4.14, p = .044). These results suggest that physically active women may not necessarily follow the trajectory towards frailty. More research needs to be done with a greater range of ages and physical activity levels.

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The Effect of Chair-Based Exercise on Physical Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041902 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1902

Author(s):

Natalie Klempel ◽

Nicole E. Blackburn ◽

Ilona L. McMullan ◽

Jason J. Wilson ◽

Lee Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Later Life ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Exercise Programmes ◽

The Impact

Physical activity is an important determinant of health in later life. The public health restrictions in response to COVID-19 have interrupted habitual physical activity behaviours in older adults. In response, numerous exercise programmes have been developed for older adults, many involving chair-based exercise. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the effects of chair-based exercise on the health of older adults. Ovid Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PyscInfo and SPORTDiscus databases were searched from inception to 1 April 2020. Chair-based exercise programmes in adults ≥50 years, lasting for at least 2 weeks and measuring the impact on physical function were included. Risk of bias of included studies were assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool v2. Intervention content was described using TiDieR Criteria. Where sufficient studies (≥3 studies) reported data on an outcome, a random effects meta-analysis was performed. In total, 25 studies were included, with 19 studies in the meta-analyses. Seventeen studies had a low risk of bias and five had a high risk of bias. In this systematic review including 1388 participants, results demonstrated that chair-based exercise programmes improve upper extremity (handgrip strength: MD = 2.10; 95% CI = 0.76, 3.43 and 30 s arm curl test: MD = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.34, 4.31) and lower extremity function (30 s chair stand: MD 2.25; 95% CI = 0.64, 3.86). The findings suggest that chair-based exercises are effective and should be promoted as simple and easily implemented activities to maintain and develop strength for older adults.

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Sarcopenia, Diet, Physical Activity and Obesity in European Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The LifeAge Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13010008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 8

Author(s):

Pablo Jorge Marcos-Pardo ◽

Noelia González-Gálvez ◽

Abraham López-Vivancos ◽

Alejandro Espeso-García ◽

Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Lower Body ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional

The revised European consensus defined sarcopenia as a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder that is associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, physical disability and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and analyse the influence of diet, physical activity (PA) and obesity index as risk factors of each criteria of sarcopenia. A total of 629 European middle-aged and older adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics were assessed. Self-reported PA and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were evaluated with the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and Prevention with Mediterranean Diet questionnaire (PREDIMED), respectively. The functional assessment included handgrip strength, lower body muscle strength, gait speed and agility/dynamic balance. Of the participants, 4.84% to 7.33% showed probable sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was confirmed in 1.16% to 2.93% of participants. Severe sarcopenia was shown by 0.86% to 1.49% of participants. Male; age group ≤65 years; lower body mass index (BMI); high levels of vigorous PA; and the consumption of more than one portion per day of red meat, hamburgers, sausages or cold cuts and/or preferential consumption of rabbit, chicken or turkey instead of beef, pork, hamburgers or sausages (OR = 0.126–0.454; all p < 0.013) resulted as protective factors, and more time of sedentary time (OR = 1.608–2.368; p = 0.032–0.041) resulted as a risk factor for some criteria of sarcopenia. In conclusion, age, diet, PA, and obesity can affect the risk of having low muscle strength, low muscle mass or low functional performance, factors connected with sarcopenia.

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Duration or Timing? What is the Optimal Core for Older Adults to Engage in Moderate-to-vigorous Physical Activity to Prevent Disability?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-41437/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ting-Fu Lai ◽

Yung Liao ◽

Chien-Yu Lin ◽

Wan-Chi Huang ◽

Ming-Chun Hsueh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Total Duration ◽

Functional Mobility ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Timed Up And Go

Abstract Background The positive association between the total duration of physical activity and performances of physical function may vary at different times of the day as circadian rhythm regulates individuals in response to external stimulations. We aimed to examine the association of timing-specific and overall moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with performances of physical function in older adults. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 118 older adults (mean age = 70.0 ± 5.0 years). We assessed and identified timing-specific (morning: 06:01-12:00; afternoon: 12:01-18:00; evening: 18:01-24:00) and overall MVPA using a triaxial accelerometer. Different measures of physical function were evaluated including handgrip strength (by grip dynamometer), gait speed (five-meter walk test), basic functional mobility (timed up and go test), and lower limb strength (five times sit-to-stand test). Multivariate linear regression models adjusting for covariates were used to investigate the associations. Results Participants spent 0.4 hours in MVPA per day on average, half the time spent during the morning (47.7%), followed by during the afternoon (29.9%) and evening (21.6%). The time spent on overall MVPA was generally associated with better physical function performances. There was statistical evidence for the percentages of MVPA engagement during the morning ( B = 0.214, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.001 to 0.428) and afternoon ( B = -0.273, 95% CI -0.518 to -0.027) associated with basic functional mobility but with contrary directions; the percentage of MVPA engagement during the evening was associated with less time spent in gait speed performance ( B = -0.237, 95% CI -0.468 to -0.006). Conclusions Our findings inform implications that the overall MVPA engagement was more important than timing-specific MVPA to older adults’ physical function performances. Strategies for accumulating time of MVPA is more practical and effective than encouraging to engage MVPA in specific timing for the enhancement of functional ability and therefore prevent disability among older adults.

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Body image satisfaction, sociodemographic, functional and clinical aspects of community-dwelling older adults

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/1980-57642018dn12-030012 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 306-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Raquel Rousselet Farias ◽

Renata Breda Martins ◽

Vivian Ulrich ◽

João Henrique Correa Kanan ◽

Irenio Gomes da Silva Filho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Body Image ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Population Group ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Test Time ◽

Clinical Aspects ◽

Body Image Satisfaction ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Body image, according to the definition by Ledoux et al.(1) is “the systematic, cognitive, affective, conscious, and unconscious representation that people have concerning their bodies during their biological development and throughout their social relationships”. Objective: To determine the prevalence of body image satisfaction (BIS) and its relationship with sociodemographic, functional and clinical aspects in older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical and prospective study of a random sample of older adults from all health districts of Porto Alegre (30 health units) was conducted. The following aspects were studied: sociodemographic data (sex, age, marital status and education), BIS (Stunkard’s scale), functional tests (30 seconds Sit/Stand Test, time to walk 10m, Handgrip Strength - HGS), physical activity (Minnesota Questionnaire) and cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination). Results: Most of the 532 participants were dissatisfied with their body image (92.5%), particularly the women (71.7%). After Binary Logistic Regression (6 steps), BIS predictors were: high scores for the Sit/Stand (OR: 1.13; p=0.013), higher HGS (OR: 1.06; p=0.049), shorter time engaged in physical activity (OR: 0.77; p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of BIS was low and most of the variables analyzed bore no relation to BIS. Notwithstanding, a relationship was found with greater HGS, higher Sit/Stand score and less time engaged in physical activity. Given the scarcity of studies on this subject, our study furthers the knowledge on how body image affects this population group.

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