Abstract
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Background
Evidence for associations between prolonged sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time and fitness is limited in older adults. This study examines associations between objectively measured and self-reported total sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time with cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness among Canadian men and women aged 60 to 69.
Data and methods
Data from cycles 1 and 2 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey were used for analysis. This is a nationally representative survey with an overall response rate of 53.5%. Men (n = 564) and women (n = 593) aged 60 to 69 were selected for analysis. Sedentary time, breaks in sedentary time, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were objectively measured with accelerometers. Leisure sedentary time was self-reported. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test. Musculoskeletal fitness was based on grip strength and flexibility. Linear regression models were adjusted for age, sex, education, body mass index, smoking status and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Results
The number of breaks in measured sedentary time (β:0.47, p = 0.02 ) and the percentage of measured sedentary time spent in bouts lasting at least 20 minutes (β:-0.53, p = 0.01 ) were associated with cardiorespiratory fitness. For men, grip strength was negatively associated with measured total sedentary time (β:-0.03, p = 0.03 ) and sit-and-reach was positively associated with breaks in measured sedentary time (β:0.15, p = 0.02 ). Self-reported sedentary time was not associated with any of the fitness outcomes.
Interpretation
Among Canadians aged 60 to 69, fitness may be influenced not only by total sedentary time, but also by patterns of sedentary time.
Keywords
Aging, exercise, flexibility, functional autonomy, hand strength, physical activity, sitting
Findings
Cardiorespiratory fitness is a predictor of morbidity and all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older adults. Musculoskeletal fitness, particularly grip strength, is also a predictor of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality―an even stronger predictor than systolic blood pressure―and is critical to functional autonomy and quality of life. [Full Text]
Authors
Shilpa Dogra (Shilpa.Dogra@uoit.ca) is with the Faculty of Health Sciences, Kinesiology at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Ontario. Janine M. Clarke is with the Health Statistics Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. Jennifer L. Copeland is with the Department of
Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Lethbridge in Lethbridge, Alberta.Start of text box
What is already known on this subject?
- Older adults spend a considerable amount of time sitting.
- Functional fitness has been shown to be lower among older adults who are sedentary for prolonged periods.
What does this study add?
- Based on data for 2007 through 2011 from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, this study found that among Canadians aged 60 to 69, total accelerometer-measured sedentary time was significantly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness.
- Among women, the percentage of sedentary time spent in bouts of at least 20 minutes was negatively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, but the association with the number of breaks in sedentary time was positive.
- Among older men, total sedentary time was negatively associated with grip strength, and the number of breaks in sedentary time was positively associated with flexibility.
- Self-reported sedentary leisure time was not related to cardiorespiratory or musculoskeletal fitness among 60- to 69-year-olds.
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