Linked Lives: Exploring Gender and Sedentary Behaviors in Older Adult Couples

Abstract

Objectives: We explored associations between co-habiting partners for sedentary behavior (type and time, via accelerometry and self-report), gender, and a surrogate health measure (inflammatory biomarker: C-reactive protein, CRP). Methods: Participants completed activity questionnaires and the Timed Up and Go (mobility), wore an accelerometer for 7 days, and provided samples for high-sensitivity (hs) CRP. We used multilevel modeling (partners within couples) to investigate associations between independent variables and (a) sedentary behavior and (b) hsCRP. Results: 112 couples (50% women) provided sedentary data and hsCRP. Sedentary behavior was significantly correlated ( r = .440, p < .001) between women and men, but there were significant differences in sedentary time (women < men) and light activity (women > men). Gender, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and mobility estimated 37% of the modeled variance in sedentary time, while body mass index (BMI) and MVPA estimated 10% of the modeled variance in hsCRP. Discussion: Despite differences in how activity was accumulated, there were no significant differences between women’s and men’s health biomarker.

Association of 7-Day Profiles of Motor Activity in Marital Dyads with One Component Affected by Parkinson’s Disease

“…Harada [ 44 ] objectively quantified, with an accelerometer, the daily sedentary behaviours, for seven days, of 72 marital dyad components, and found a fairly good association between the couples’ components. Ashe [ 45 ] enlarged the previous assessment to 112 familiar dyad components, confirming the good association. Pauly stressed the aspect of synchronicity by assessing intra-couple covariations of 7-day accelerometric profiles of motor activity on an hourly basis [ 46 ].…”

“…Questionnaire approaches have been used to detect such association in everyday motor activities [ 43 ]. Recently, some authors have faced the problem of detecting association in motor activities by using actigraphic methodology based on wearable sensors [ 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Harada [ 44 ] objectively quantified, with an accelerometer, the daily sedentary behaviours, for seven days, of 72 marital dyad components, and found a fairly good association between the couples’ components.…”

Time-varying associations between everyday affect and cortisol in older couples.

“…This study uses data from a larger project on spousal health dynamics in older age (see Ashe et al, 2020; Michalowski et al, 2020; Pauly, Keller, et al, 2020; Pauly et al, 2019 for more details). The project recruited 129 community-dwelling couples aged 60 years and above.…”

Intraindividual Variability and Empathic Accuracy for Happiness in Older Couples

“…Two separate samples (Berlin, Germany: see Brinberg, Ram, Hülür, Brick, & Gerstorf, 2018; Drewelies et al, 2018; Hülür et al, 2016; Vancouver, Canada: see Ashe et al, 2019; Pauly, Keller et al, 2019; Pauly, Michalowski et al, 2019) of cohabitating community-dwelling couples were recruited to provide repeated daily-life assessments. The Vancouver study involved annual follow-ups, but only Year 1 data were used (the only year that participants provided repeated daily-life assessments).…”