Noritoshi Fukushima1, Shiho Amagasa2, Hiroyuki Kikuchi2, Aoi Kataoka2, Tomoko Takamiya2, Yuko Odagiri2, Masaki Machida2, Koichiro Oka3, Neville Owen4, Shigeru Inoue2. 1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan. Electronic address: fukufuku@tokyo-med.ac.jp. 2. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan. 3. Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-1192, Japan. 4. Behavioral Epidemiology Laboratory, Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Level 4, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic, 3004, Australia; Centre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, PO Box 218, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: As people age, they spend more time in and around their domestic environments, within which opportunities for health-enhancing physical activity (PA) may be limited. We examined the associations of frequency of excursions from home with accelerometer-determined PA and the total and prolonged sedentary behavior (SB, sitting for ≥30 min) among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Overall, 434 older adults (men, 57.1 %; age, 70-79 years) wore an accelerometer (HJA-350IT, Omron Healthcare) for 7 days. Time spent in SB, light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and prolonged SB bout (≥30 min) were calculated. Frequencies of excursions from home were categorized as 0-3, 4-5, and 6-7 days/week. Associations of excursions with PA and SB were tested by analysis of covariance adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Frequencies were 14.3 %, 31.1 %, and 54.6 % for excursions 0-3, 4-5, and 6-7 days/week, respectively. For men, less frequent excursions from home were significantly associated with less MVPA and more total and prolonged SB times (estimated means [minutes/day]: MVPA, 32, 42, and 48; total SB, 589, 549, and 539; prolonged SB, 344, 288, and 265; respectively; p < 0.05). LPA was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). For women, less frequent excursions were significantly associated with all PA outcomes (SB: 536, 497, and 467; prolonged SB: 260, 213, and 204; LPA: 328, 363, and 379; MVPA: 36, 39, and 54, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among community-dwelling Japanese older adults, more frequent excursions from home were associated with more PA, less SB, and more-favorable SB patterns, suggesting a potential strategy for preventive-health initiatives.
BACKGROUND: As people age, they spend more time in and around their domestic environments, within which opportunities for health-enhancing physical activity (PA) may be limited. We examined the associations of frequency of excursions from home with accelerometer-determined PA and the total and prolonged sedentary behavior (SB, sitting for ≥30 min) among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Overall, 434 older adults (men, 57.1 %; age, 70-79 years) wore an accelerometer (HJA-350IT, Omron Healthcare) for 7 days. Time spent in SB, light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and prolonged SB bout (≥30 min) were calculated. Frequencies of excursions from home were categorized as 0-3, 4-5, and 6-7 days/week. Associations of excursions with PA and SB were tested by analysis of covariance adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Frequencies were 14.3 %, 31.1 %, and 54.6 % for excursions 0-3, 4-5, and 6-7 days/week, respectively. For men, less frequent excursions from home were significantly associated with less MVPA and more total and prolonged SB times (estimated means [minutes/day]: MVPA, 32, 42, and 48; total SB, 589, 549, and 539; prolonged SB, 344, 288, and 265; respectively; p < 0.05). LPA was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). For women, less frequent excursions were significantly associated with all PA outcomes (SB: 536, 497, and 467; prolonged SB: 260, 213, and 204; LPA: 328, 363, and 379; MVPA: 36, 39, and 54, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among community-dwelling Japanese older adults, more frequent excursions from home were associated with more PA, less SB, and more-favorable SB patterns, suggesting a potential strategy for preventive-health initiatives.