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The Role of Physical Function in the Association between Physical Activity and Gait Speed in Older Adults: A Mediation Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Marcelo de Maio Nascimento

    (Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina 56304-917, Brazil)

  • Élvio Rúbio Gouveia

    (Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    Laboratory for Robotics and Engineering System (LARSYS), Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Adilson Marques

    (Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance (CIPER), Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal
    Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Bruna R. Gouveia

    (Laboratory for Robotics and Engineering System (LARSYS), Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Regional Directorate of Health, Secretary of Health of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, 9004-515 Funchal, Portugal
    Saint Joseph of Cluny Higher School of Nursing, 9050-535 Funchal, Portugal)

  • Priscila Marconcin

    (Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance (CIPER), Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal
    KinesioLab, Research Unit in Human Movement Analysis, Piaget Institute, 2805-059 Almada, Portugal)

  • Cíntia França

    (Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
    Laboratory for Robotics and Engineering System (LARSYS), Interactive Technologies Institute, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal)

  • Andreas Ihle

    (Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES–Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

Abstract

Adequate levels of physical function (PF) are essential for vulnerable older adults to perform their daily tasks safely and remain autonomous. Our objective was to explore the mediating role of PF in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and gait speed (GS) in a large sample of older adults from the north of Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study that analyzed 697 older adults (mean age 70.35 ± 6.86 years) who participated in the project “Health, Lifestyle, and Physical Fitness in Older Adults in Amazonas” (SEVAAI). PA was assessed using the Baecke Questionnaire, PF using the Senior Fitness Test, and GS using the 50-foot Walk Test. Mediation pathways were analyzed to test the possible mediating role of PF between specific PA domains (PA-total score, PA-housework, PA-sport, PA-leisure) and GS. Regarding PA-total, the analysis showed that high-performance GS was partially mediated in approximately 19% by better PF performance. Moreover, the PF could partially mediate the association between PA-sport and PA-leisure with GS, at levels of approximately 9% and 46%, respectively. An inverse relationship was observed between PA-housework (sedentary lifestyle) and GS. This association was partially mediated to an extent of approximately 9% by better PF performance. We conclude that PF plays a crucial role in mediating the association between PA and GS among vulnerable older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12581-:d:931750
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. Alejandro Gomez-Bruton & David Navarrete-Villanueva & Jorge Pérez-Gómez & Sara Vila-Maldonado & Eva Gesteiro & Narcis Gusi & Jose Gerardo Villa-Vicente & Luis Espino & Marcela Gonzalez-Gross & Jose A., 2020. "The Effects of Age, Organized Physical Activity and Sedentarism on Fitness in Older Adults: An 8-Year Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-17, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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