Study Examines Impact of Sedentary Lifestyle on Geriatric Physical Functioning
Significance of Physical Functioning in Older Adults
A newly published study investigates the relationship between physical activity and physical functioning within the geriatric population. Physical functioning serves as a crucial determinant of health for older adults, with declines in this area linked to increased disability and mortality rates. As the population of seniors continues to grow, promoting healthy aging becomes increasingly important. Consequently, current research is focused on strategies to help older individuals preserve their physical functioning.
Link Between Physical Activity and Functionality
Previous studies have established that moderate physical activity correlates with improved physical function in older adults. However, research assessing the objective relationship between physical activity and physical functioning, particularly among seniors leading a sedentary lifestyle, remains limited.
Details of the Recent Study
This recent study, published in BMC Geriatrics, explored the associations between objectively measured sedentary behavior, physical activity, and performance-based physical function. Conducted in Japan, the study involved 287 adults aged 65 to 84 years who exhibited a sedentary lifestyle. Researchers evaluated the average daily time spent on sedentary behaviors, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity. Physical function was measured using five performance-based assessments: hand-grip strength, usual and maximum gait speeds, timed up and go, and the one-legged stance with eyes open.
Key Findings
The study revealed significant positive associations between moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity and various measures of physical function, with the exception of hand-grip strength. Additionally, replacing sedentary behavior or light-intensity physical activity with moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity was found to be significantly beneficial for physical function measures.
Conclusion
The authors concluded that even small increments of moderate to vigorous physical activity, when introduced to replace sedentary behavior or light-intensity activities, can lead to improved physical functioning in older adults.
Written by Nima Makhdami, M.D.
Reference: Yasunaga, A., Shibata, A., Ishii, K., Koohsari, M. J., Inoue, S., Sugiyama, T., … & Oka, K. (2017). Associations of sedentary behavior and physical activity with older adults’ physical function: an isotemporal substitution approach. BMC geriatrics, 17(1), 280.