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Published on: April 21, 2017
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Exploring patterns of accelerometry-assessed physical activity in elderly people.
Sandra Ortlieb, André Dias, Lukas Gorzelniak
1Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany. schulz@helmholtz-muenchen.de.
Summary
Physical activity patterns in older adults significantly impact functional exercise capacity. Focusing on longer moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) bouts can enhance capacity and overall activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) offers significant health benefits for the elderly.
- Research on specific PA patterns and their association with functional exercise capacity (FEC) in this demographic is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe PA patterns across different intensities in elderly individuals.
- To compare these patterns between rarely, average, and frequently active groups.
- To explore the association between PA parameters and FEC.
Main Methods:
- 168 elderly subjects (65-89 years) wore accelerometers for 10 days.
- Subjects were categorized into three activity groups (rare, average, frequent).
- Multiple linear regression analyzed predictors of FEC.
Main Results:
- Older adults (≥80 years), women, and the obese were more sedentary or had insufficient moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA).
- Rarely active individuals showed fewer long bouts of MVPA/light PA and fewer short sedentary bouts.
- Younger age, lower BMI, male sex, better lung function, absence of multimorbidity, and longer/more frequent MVPA bouts predicted higher FEC (r²=0.54).
Conclusions:
- PA patterns offer insights beyond general activity levels.
- Increasing long MVPA bouts in the elderly can improve FEC and overall PA.
- For rarely active individuals, increasing light PA may be a viable strategy to boost activity, considering health limitations.
