Effects of a Long-Term Physical Activity Program on Activity Patterns in Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Mobility-impaired older adults often experience declines in physical activity (PA).
• Understanding how PA interventions affect activity patterns is crucial for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of a long-term structured physical activity (PA) intervention on accelerometer-measured activity patterns in older adults with mobility impairments.

Main Methods:

• 1341 participants were randomized to either a PA program (walking, strength, flexibility, balance) or a health education (HE) program.
• Activity was measured using accelerometers over 24 months, analyzing total PA (TPA) and intensity-specific bouts.
• TPA was segmented into low-light (LLPA), high-light (HLPA), low-moderate (LMPA), and high-moderate or greater (HMPA) intensities.

Main Results:

• Overall, TPA decreased annually by 74 min/wk across groups.
• The PA intervention significantly attenuated this decline (PA: -68 vs HE: -112 min/wk).
• The PA intervention increased time in higher intensity activities (HLPA, LMPA, HMPA) and longer duration bouts.

Conclusions:

• A structured PA intervention effectively increased PA and shifted activity composition towards higher intensities and longer bouts in mobility-impaired older adults.
• Despite the intervention's benefits, a complete elimination of the overall decline in total daily activity was not achieved.