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The Sedentary Time and Physical Activity Levels on Physical Fitness in the Elderly: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Fernanda M. Silva

    (Department of Sports and Well-being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal
    University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • João Petrica

    (Department of Sports and Well-being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal
    Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal)

  • João Serrano

    (Department of Sports and Well-being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal
    Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal)

  • Rui Paulo

    (Department of Sports and Well-being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal
    Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal)

  • André Ramalho

    (Department of Sports and Well-being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal
    Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal)

  • Dineia Lucas

    (Department of Sports and Well-being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal)

  • José Pedro Ferreira

    (University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal
    Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Pedro Duarte-Mendes

    (Department of Sports and Well-being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal
    Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal)

Abstract

Background: Ageing is a life-long process characterized by a progressive loss of physical fitness compromising strength, flexibility, and agility. The purpose of this study was to use accelerometry to examine the relationship between sedentary time, light physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with the elderly’s physical fitness. Additionally, we aimed to examine the association between the aforementioned variables on older adults who fulfilled global recommendations on physical activity for health and on those who did not fulfil these recommendations. Methods: Eighty-three elderly (mean ± SD: 72.14 ± 5.61 years old) of both genders volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional study, being divided into an active group (n = 53; 71.02 ± 5.27 years old) and an inactive group (n = 30; 74.13 ± 5.72 years old) according to the established guidelines. Sedentary and physical activity times were assessed using an ActiGraph ® GT1M accelerometer, whereas physical fitness was evaluated with the Senior Fitness Test. Results: MVPA time was correlated with lower body mass index (BMI) ((r s = −0.218; p = 0.048; −0.3 < r ≤ −0.1 (small)) and shorter time to complete the agility test ((r s = −0.367; p = 0.001; −0.5 < r ≤ −0.3 (low)). Moreover, MVPA time was positively correlated with aerobic endurance ((r s = 0.397; p = 0.000; 0.5 < r ≤ 0.3 (low)) and strength ((r s = 0.243; p = 0.027; 0.3 < r ≤ 0.1 (small)). In the inactive group, MVPA time was positively correlated with upper limb flexibility ((rs = 0.400; p = 0.028; 0.5 < r ≤ 0.3 (low)); moreover, sedentary time was negatively correlated with upper limb flexibility ((r = −0.443; p = 0.014; −0.5 < r ≤ −0.3 (low)), and LPA time was negatively correlated with BMI ((r = −0.423; p = 0.020; −0.5 < r ≤ −0.3 (low)). In the active group, MVPA time was correlated with lower BMI ((rs = −0.320; p = 0.020; −0.5 < r ≤ −0.3 (low)), and shorter time to complete agility test ((rs = −0.296; p = 0.031; −0.3 < r ≤ −0.1 (small)). Conclusions: Our results reinforce the importance of promoting MVPA practice among the elderly, thereby allowing physical fitness maintenance or improvement.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernanda M. Silva & João Petrica & João Serrano & Rui Paulo & André Ramalho & Dineia Lucas & José Pedro Ferreira & Pedro Duarte-Mendes, 2019. "The Sedentary Time and Physical Activity Levels on Physical Fitness in the Elderly: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-11, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:19:p:3697-:d:272550
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Antonina Kaczorowska & Katarzyna Szwamel & Małgorzata Fortuna & Agata Mroczek & Ewelina Lepsy & Aleksandra Katan, 2022. "Assessment of Physical Fitness and Risk Factors for the Occurrence of the Frailty Syndrome among Social Welfare Homes’ Residents over 60 Years of Age in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Sangwan Jeon & Jiyoun Kim, 2020. "Effects of Augmented-Reality-Based Exercise on Muscle Parameters, Physical Performance, and Exercise Self-Efficacy for Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-12, May.
    3. Mario Kasović & Lovro Štefan & Martin Zvonař, 2020. "Domain-Specific and Total Sedentary Behavior Associated with Gait Velocity in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Physical Fitness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-9, January.
    4. Ignazio Leale & Valerio Giustino & Jessica Brusa & Matteo Barcellona & Mario Barbagallo & Antonio Palma & Giuseppe Messina & Ligia J. Dominguez & Giuseppe Battaglia, 2024. "Effectiveness of a Sustainable Training Program Combining Supervised Outdoor Exercise with Telecoaching on Physical Performance in Elderly People," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Fernanda M. Silva & Pedro Duarte-Mendes & Marcio Cascante Rusenhack & Meirielly Furmann & Paulo Renato Nobre & Miguel Ângelo Fachada & Carlos M. Soares & Ana Teixeira & José Pedro Ferreira, 2020. "Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior and Physical Fitness in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-23, November.
    6. Ka Man Leung & Ming Yu Claudia Wong, 2022. "Redevelopment and Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Last 7-Day Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire (SIT-Q-7d-Chi) in Hong Kong Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.
    7. Marcelo de Maio Nascimento & Élvio Rúbio Gouveia & Adilson Marques & Bruna R. Gouveia & Priscila Marconcin & Cíntia França & Andreas Ihle, 2022. "The Role of Physical Function in the Association between Physical Activity and Gait Speed in Older Adults: A Mediation Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-15, October.
    8. Harukaze Yatsugi & Tao Chen & Si Chen & Xin Liu & Hiro Kishimoto, 2021. "The Associations between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Physical Function in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Men and Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-11, December.
    9. Alba Niño & José Gerardo Villa-Vicente & Pilar S. Collado, 2022. "Functional Capacity of Tai Chi-Practicing Elderly People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-11, February.

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