Normative Data of Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Community—Dwelling Older Japanese

Abstract

Background: The amounts of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and sedentary time (ST) by sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) in older Japanese adults have not been known. We conducted this study to determine the actual physical activity (PA) and ST in this population. Subjects and Methods: A total of 3998 community-dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥65 years were investigated. Their levels of PA and ST and number of steps taken daily were assessed for seven consecutive days by a tri-axial accelerometer. Normative values of daily PA and ST were analyzed by age and BMI groups in the men and the women and are presented as mean, median, or decile. Results: The subjects generally adhered to the PA guideline, i.e., ≥10 metabolic equivalents (METs)·hour MVPA per week. Older age was associated with lower adherence to the PA guideline. Conclusions: Normative values (mean, median, or decile) were yielded for MVPA, LPA, and ST based on accelerometer readings in a large sample of older community-dwelling Japanese adults. One-half of the subjects’ waking time was spent being sedentary, and >70% of the subjects met the current PA guideline by engaging in MVPA.

The Associations between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Physical Function in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Men and Women

“…It is thus necessary to objectively measure PA and discuss Japan’s PA guidelines’ normative values in relation to the objective measurements [ 14 ]. Several studies have described PA and PF values in older Japanese adults, but their results differed between men and women; in addition, the relationships observed differed from those described in other countries [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…At this juncture, Japan’s PA guidelines do not mention a recommended intensity of PA and ST for older adults [ 9 ]. We investigated the number of older Japanese engaged in MVPA at 10 METs·h/wk, and we observed that all of the subjects examined met this guideline and >70% of them met it by engaging in MVPA [ 20 ]. In light of the previous and present findings, we suggest that older Japanese should engage in PA in consideration of its intensity.…”

“…A tri-axial accelerometer objectively measured the subjects’ PA and ST (Active Style Pro HJA-350IT, Omron Healthcare, Kyoto, Japan). The subjects were instructed to wear the accelerometer on the right or left side of their waist for seven consecutive days and remove it only before going to bed or participating in water activities [ 20 ]. Data were recorded in 1-min epochs.…”

“…We defined the non-wear time as ≥60 consecutive min of no activity, i.e., estimated activity intensity <1.0 metabolic equivalents (METs) with an allowance for 2 min of activities with an intensity up to 1.0 METs [ 15 , 20 , 24 , 25 ]. The data of only the subjects with ≥4 valid wear days (≥10 h of wear time/day) were included in the analysis [ 26 ].…”

“…The data of only the subjects with ≥4 valid wear days (≥10 h of wear time/day) were included in the analysis [ 26 ]. The cut-off values used to define the amounts of time spent in ST, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and MVPA were as follows: ≤1.5 METs for ST, 1.6–2.9 METs for LPA, and ≥3.0 METs for MVPA [ 20 ].…”