Dose-response association between physical activity and sedentary time categories on ageing biomarkers

Abstract

Background Physical activity and sedentary behaviour have been suggested to independently affect a number of health outcomes. To what extent different combinations of physical activity and sedentary behaviour may influence physical function and frailty outcomes in older adults is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the combination of mutually exclusive categories of accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary time on physical function and frailty in older adults. Methods 771 older adults (54% women; 76.8 ± 4.9 years) from the Toledo Study for Healthy Aging participated in this cross-sectional study. Physical activity and sedentary time were measured by accelerometry. Physically active was defined as meeting current aerobic guidelines for older adults proposed by the World Health Organization. Low sedentary was defined as residing in the lowest quartile of the light physical activity-to-sedentary time ratio. Participants were then classified into one of four mutually exclusive movement patterns: (1) ‘physically active & low sedentary’, (2) ‘physically active & high sedentary’, (3) ‘physically inactive & low sedentary’, and (4) ‘physically inactive & high sedentary’. The Short Physical Performance Battery was used to measure physical function and frailty was assessed using the Frailty Trait Scale. Results ‘Physically active & low sedentary’ and ‘physically active & high sedentary’ individuals had significantly higher levels of physical function (β = 1.73 and β = 1.30 respectively; all p < 0.001) and lower frailty (β = − 13.96 and β = − 8.71 respectively; all p < 0.001) compared to ‘physically inactive & high sedentary’ participants. Likewise, ‘physically inactive & low sedentary’ group had significantly lower frailty (β = − 2.50; p = 0.05), but significance was not reached for physical function. Conclusions We found a dose-response association of the different movement patterns analysed in this study with physical function and frailty. Meeting the physical activity guidelines was associated with the most beneficial physical function and frailty profiles in our sample. Among inactive people, more light intensity relative to sedentary time was associated with better frailty status. These results point out to the possibility of stepwise interventions (i.e. targeting less strenuous activities) to promote successful aging, particularly in inactive older adults.

Domain-Specific and Total Sedentary Behavior Associated with Gait Velocity in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Physical Fitness

“…In line with previous studies [14,15,[29][30][31][32][33][34] our study shows that the time spent in domain-specific and total sedentary behavior is associated with physical fitness. Sedentary behaviors are considered a new risk factor for health in older adults, regardless of physical performance [29].…”

“…In older adults, the level of physical fitness is significantly reduced due to higher rates of disabilities and limitations [2]. Although a higher level of physical fitness reduces the time spent in sedentary behavior [14,15] and increases gait velocity [13,[16][17][18], according to available literature no study has investigated the potential mediating role of physical fitness in the association between domain-specific and total sedentary behavior and gait velocity. Since only 25% of older adults meet the recommended levels of physical activity proposed by the World Health Organization [19], it is necessary to identify individuals in need of increasing their physical fitness level in order to decrease sedentary lifestyle and improve gait parameters.…”

Relationship between Physical Performance and Frailty Syndrome in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Physical Activity, Sedentary Time and Body Composition

“…In order to alleviate these difficulties, increasing physical activity (PA) has been demonstrated to be an essential strategy to avoid the onset, progression, and perpetuation of this syndrome. For example, Mañas et al (2019) found that achieving the physical activity guidelines relates to a more beneficial frailty profile [8], especially moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), which predicts frailty in older adults [9]. Likewise, sedentary behavior patterns have been also associated with frailty levels [10].…”

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep Quality in Adults with Primary Hypertension and Obesity before and after an Aerobic Exercise Program: EXERDIET-HTA Study

“…Such findings highlight the close relation between physical inactivity and cardiovascular disease, and conversely the cardioprotective effect of regular MVPA secondary to high cardiorespiratory fitness [ 3 ]. Furthermore, the lack of differences in walking time (estimated by IPAQ, Table 1 ) and the percentage of TPA volume (measured by accelerometry, Table 1 ) between HEALTHY and HTN participants do not support the health-enhancing role of LPA showed by previous studies in older adults [ 9 ]. Therefore, LPA may not be sufficient to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary and physically inactive adults [ 17 ].…”

“…Over the past few years, attention has been directed toward an alternative approach consisting of frequent breaks in sedentary time to reduce SB and increase LPA. Light-intensity PA has been shown to be relevant for those who are not regularly physically active, and higher LPA relative to SB provides additional benefits to those meeting PA guidelines [ 3 , 9 , 10 ]. However, it seems that leisure-time MVPA may not be protective for those who spend large amounts of time in SB [ 11 ].…”