Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Objectively measured physical activity and physical performance in old age
Hanna Jantunen1,2, Niko Wasenius1,2, Minna K Salonen3
1Folkhalsan, Helsinki, Finland.
Background:
physical performance is a key factor that determines how older people cope with daily tasks and maintain independency. There is strong evidence suggesting that physical activity (PA) is important in maintaining physical performance in old age. However, most studies have been done using self-reported PA. Our aim was to explore the association between objectively measured PA and physical performance in old age.
Methods:
we studied 695 participants (mean age 70.7 years, SD 2.7) from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. Physical performance was assessed with the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) and PA with a multisensory activity monitor SenseWear Pro 3 Armband.
Results:
total volume of PA was significantly associated with the overall SFT score (β = 0.08; 95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.10, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between men and women. Both light and moderate to vigorous level of PA were positively associated with the overall SFT score, while sedentary time was negatively associated with the overall SFT score.
Conclusions:
volume of objectively measured PA among older people was positively associated with the physical performance measured with a validated fitness test battery.
