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Assessment of Physical Activity Intensity with Accelerometers and Oxygen Consumption
Published on: June 20, 2025
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Physical Activity Patterns and Sedentary Behavior in Older Women With Urinary Incontinence: an Accelerometer-based
Christine M Chu, Kavita D Khanijow1, Kathryn H Schmitz2
1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery
|January 12, 2018
Summary
Low physical activity and high sedentary behavior in older women correlate with increased nocturia and nocturnal enuresis. These factors may be targets for treating urinary symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Urology
- Physical Activity & Health
Background:
- Objective physical activity data for women with urinary incontinence (UI) is limited.
- Understanding the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and UI severity is crucial for older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and urinary symptom severity in older community-dwelling women with UI.
- To identify potential targets for managing nocturnal urinary symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis using triaxial accelerometer data from 35 older women (median age, 71 years).
- Measured physical activity (step count, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time) and sedentary behavior (percentage of sedentary time, sedentary bouts).
- Linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between urinary symptoms and physical activity/sedentary behavior variables.
Main Results:
- The cohort exhibited low physical activity (median 2168 steps/day) and high sedentary behavior (median 74% sedentary time).
- Low step count was linked to nocturia (P=0.02).
- Reduced moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and increased sedentary time were significantly associated with nocturia, nocturnal enuresis, and greater incontinence product use.
Conclusions:
- Low physical activity levels are associated with increased nocturia and nocturnal enuresis in older women with UI.
- Sedentary behavior emerges as a potential factor linked to lower urinary tract symptoms.
- Physical activity and sedentary behavior modification show promise as therapeutic targets for nocturnal urinary symptoms.
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