Factors associated with adherence to an accelerometer protocol in older adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Physical Activity Measurement
• Health Research Methodology

Background:

• Accurate measurement of physical activity in research relies on participant adherence to accelerometer protocols.
• Aging can impact physical and cognitive health, potentially affecting adherence to study protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if aging-related changes in physical and cognitive health influence older adults' adherence to accelerometer protocols.
• To identify predictors of accelerometer protocol adherence in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 201 individuals aged 65 and older.
• Examined the relationship between physical functioning (Modified Guralnik Lower Body Score), cognitive functioning (Mini-Mental State Examination Score), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scores with accelerometer adherence.
• Employed logistic regression analyses to identify predictive models for adherence.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in income, race, and education were observed between adherent and non-adherent groups.
• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) score was the best predictor for being a valid participant.
• Modified Guralnik Lower Body Score and Mini-Mental State Examination Score were the best predictors for being an adherent participant.

Conclusions:

• Physical and cognitive functioning are key predictors of accelerometer protocol adherence in older adults.
• Assessing lower body function and cognitive status can help identify older adults who may struggle with accelerometer adherence.
• These findings are crucial for optimizing physical activity research in aging populations.