Associations of sedentary behavior bouts with community‐dwelling older adults' physical function

Abstract

The study aim was to explore associations between sedentary behavior (SB) bouts and physical function in 1360 community‐dwelling older adults (≥65 years old). SB was measured using an ActiGraph wGT3X + accelerometer for seven consecutive days at the dominant hip and processed accordingly. Various SB bout lengths were assessed including: 1‐ to 9‐minutes; 10‐ to 29‐minutes; 30‐ to 59‐minutes; and ≥60‐minutes, as well as maximum time spent in a SB bout. Total SB time was adjusted for within the SB bout variables used (percentage SB time in the SB bout length and number of SB bouts per total SB hour). Physical function was assessed using the 2‐minute walk test (2MWT), 5‐times sit‐to‐stand (chair stand) test, and unipedal stance test (UST). Hierarchical linear regression models were utilized. Covariates such as moderate‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), demographic and health characteristics were controlled for. Lower percentage time spent in ≥60‐minute SB bouts was significantly (P < .05) associated with longer 2MWT distance while lower numbers of ≥60‐minute SB bouts were associated with longer 2MWT distance, shorter chair stand time and longer UST time. There were mixed associations with physical function for 10‐ to 29‐minute SB bouts. In a large cohort of European older adults, prolonged SB bouts lasting ≥60‐minutes appear to be associated with reduced physical function after controlling for MVPA and numerous other important covariates. Besides reducing SB levels, these findings suggest there is a need to regularly interrupt prolonged SB to improve physical function in older adults.

Associations of Objectively-Measured Sedentary Time and Patterns with Cognitive Function in Non-Demented Japanese Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Recently, prolonged sedentary time accumulated in uninterrupted bouts has been linked with detrimental health risks, including poor physical function [ 42 ] and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease [ 43 ] which are also established bio-makers or risk factors for cognitive function and dementia. Thus, it is plausible that prolonged sedentary time accumulated in continuous bouts would also harm cognitive function.…”

Associations of device‐measured sleep, sedentariness and physical activity with growth differentiation factor 15 in older adults

“…Total PA time was calculated as the sum of time in LPA and MVPA. To investigate whether using only bouted SB or PA strengthened the associations, time in sedentary bouts ≥10 and ≥30 min, and in LPA and MVPA bouts ≥1 and ≥10 min was also ascertained, similarly to previous research in this field 21,24,25 . PA bouts ≥1 min reflect bouted PA, that is, PA in bouts of any duration, but disregarding short duration movements.…”

“…To investigate whether using only bouted SB or PA strengthened the associations, time in sedentary bouts ≥10 and ≥30 min, and in LPA and MVPA bouts ≥1 and ≥10 min was also ascertained, similarly to previous research in this field. 21 , 24 , 25 PA bouts ≥1 min reflect bouted PA, that is, PA in bouts of any duration, but disregarding short duration movements. Bouts in each activity were considered when the 80% of the minimum required time met the threshold criteria.…”

Learning From Human Responses to Deconditioning Environments: Improved Understanding of the “Use It or Lose It” Principle

“…While 24 h/day prolonged bedrest leads to deconditioning of multiple systems, a response that parallels responses to microgravity during spaceflight, a less intense but an equally serious form of “deconditioning” can occur with implementation of a sedentary lifestyle where the ratio of time/day spent in physical activity declines to the point where the risk for loss of system integrity becomes more pronounced (Thijssen et al, 2011 ; Nosova et al, 2014 ; Hughson and Shoemaker, 2015 ; Canu et al, 2019 ; Eanes, 2021 ; Perez-Lasierra et al, 2021 ; Stoner et al, 2021 ; Wilson et al, 2021 ). The development of this so called “sitting disease” has evolved in populations of both adults and younger individuals spending large amounts of their day sitting due to their occupation (e.g., sitting in front of a computer or at a desk all day), watching TV, or occupied with electronic devices rather than engaging in normal physical activities such as walking where ground reaction forces require work again the forces of gravity, or engaged in various forms of exercise (e.g., aerobic or resistive) (Dunstan et al, 2021 ; Hwang et al, 2021 ; Stoner et al, 2021 ).…”