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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #271330
Title: Habitual physical activity levels are associated with performance in measures of physical function and mobility in older men

Author
item MORIE, MARINA - Boston University
item REID, KIERAN - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item MICIEK, RENE - Boston University
item LAJEVARDI, NEWSHA - Boston University
item CHOONG, KAREN - Boston University
item KRASNOFF, JOANNE - Boston University
item STORER, JOANNE - Boston University
item FIELDING, ROGER - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item BHASIN, SHALENDER - Boston University
item LEBRASSUER, NATHAN - Boston University

Submitted to: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2010
Publication Date: 9/1/2010
Citation: Morie, M., Reid, K., Miciek, R., Lajevardi, N., Choong, K., Krasnoff, J., Storer, J., Fielding, R.A., Bhasin, S., Lebrassuer, N. 2010. Habitual physical activity levels are associated with performance in measures of physical function and mobility in older men. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 58(9):1727-1733.

Interpretive Summary: In this study we wanted to understand if there was a relationship between how much physical activity older men perform and their mobility and physical functioning. To do this we examined weekly physical activity in 82 older men over the age of 65 years by having them wear a device similar to a pedometer step counter called an accelerometer. We also measured their mobility and function y determining their average walking speed, their balance and the time it takes them to rise from a chair. We found that men who were more physically active had better mobility and physical function. This data suggests that regular physical activity is an important determinant of mobility and function in older men.

Technical Abstract: Physical activity according to triaxial accelerometers; physical function and mobility according to the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), gait speed, stair climb time, and a lift-and-lower task; aerobic capacity according to maximum oxygen consumption (VO(2) max); and leg press and chest press maximal strength and peak power. Older men with higher physical activity levels had a 1.4-point higher mean SPPB score and a 0.35-m/s faster walking speed than those with lower physical activity levels. They also climbed a standard flight of stairs 1.85 seconds faster and completed 60% more shelves in a lift-and-lower task (all P<.01); muscle strength and power measures were not significantly different between the low- and high-activity groups. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression models showed that physical activity is positively associated with all physical function and mobility measures, leg press strength, and VO(2) max.