Association between Sedentary Behaviour and Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Status among Older Adults in Assisted Living

Abstract

Objective Identification of the factors that influence sedentary behaviour in older adults is important for the design of appropriate intervention strategies. In this study, we determined the prevalence of sedentary behaviour and its association with physical, cognitive, and psychosocial status among older adults residing in Assisted Living (AL). Methods Participants (n = 114, mean age = 86.7) from AL sites in British Columbia wore waist-mounted activity monitors for 7 consecutive days, after being assessed with the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Short Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Modified Fall Efficacy Scale (MFES). Results On average, participants spent 87% of their waking hours in sedentary behaviour, which accumulated in 52 bouts per day with each bout lasting an average of 13 minutes. Increased sedentary behaviour associated significantly with scores on the TUG (r = 0.373, p < 0.001) and MFES (r = −0.261, p = 0.005), but not with the MoCA or GDS. Sedentary behaviour also associated with male gender, use of mobility aid, and multiple regression with increased age. Conclusion We found that sedentary behaviour among older adults in AL associated with TUG scores and falls-related self-efficacy, which are modifiable targets for interventions to decrease sedentary behaviour in this population.

Time Spent in Sedentary Behaviour as Discriminant Criterion for Frailty in Older Adults

“…However, studies indicate that exacerbated exposure to sedentary behaviour—activities performed in a sitting/reclining position that do not substantially increase energy expenditure above resting values ≤1.5 METs [9]—are associated with a higher propensity to adverse health factors [10,11,12], even in sufficiently active individuals [13]. …”

Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Function in Older Adults

“…Overall, sedentary behaviour was significantly associated with at least one measure of physical function in 17 of 28 studies (60%; see Figure 2.6). Associations were more likely observed in clinical populations (5 out of 7 studies; 71%) 81,106,[111][112][113] compared with community-dwelling samples (11 out of 21 studies; 52%). 101,102,109,110,117,118,[122][123][124]126,128 All seven longitudinal studies found a detrimental association of sedentary time with physical function; i.e., more sedentary time was associated with poorer physical function.…”

“…There is consistent evidence of an association of sedentary behaviour with overall performancebased physical function, with all seven studies reporting a deleterious association. 102,105,111,112,[122][123][124] In the Rosenberg et al (2016) study, significant associations were only observed when objectively assessed sedentary time was used; other associations were non-significant.…”

“…109,110 one study contributed 70% of the participants. 109 Most studies were conducted in community-dwelling samples (n=22) with the remainder in aged care participants, 81,106,111,112 and clinical populations, including those with peripheral arterial disease, 113 lumbar spinal stenonis, 108 and those at risk of mobility disability. 114 Seven of the studies were longitudinal (25%) 109,110,113,[115][116][117][118] with follow-up times ranging from four 113 to 12 years.…”

“…Of the papers included, 10 used self-report measures of sedentary behaviour, 81,100,103,109,110,113,115,116,119,120 15 used activity monitors to assess sedentary time, 101,102,[104][105][106]108,112,117,[121][122][123][124][125][126][127] and three used both. 111,114,128 Eleven different objective devices were used to assess sedentary behaviour, of which four were a posture monitor (used in three studies [10%]).…”