A1 Journal article (refereed)
Physical activity scaled to preferred walking speed as a predictor of walking difficulty in older adults : a 2-year follow-up (2022)
Karavirta, L., Leppä, H., Rantalainen, T., Eronen, J., Portegijs, E., & Rantanen, T. (2022). Physical activity scaled to preferred walking speed as a predictor of walking difficulty in older adults : a 2-year follow-up. Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 77(3), 597-604. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glab277
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Karavirta, Laura; Leppä, Heidi; Rantalainen, Timo; Eronen, Johanna; Portegijs, Erja; Rantanen, Taina
Journal or series: Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
ISSN: 1079-5006
eISSN: 1758-535X
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 30/09/2021
Volume: 77
Issue number: 3
Pages range: 597-604
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glab277
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78016
Abstract
The usual accelerometry-based measures of physical activity (PA) are dependent on physical performance. We investigated the associations between PA relative to walking performance and the prevalence and incidence of early and advanced walking difficulties compared to generally used measures of PA.
Methods
Perceived walking difficulty was evaluated in 994 community-dwelling participants at baseline (age 75, 80 or 85 years) and two years later over two kilometers (early difficulty) and 500 meters (advanced difficulty). We used a thigh-mounted accelerometer to assess moderate-to-vigorous PA, daily mean acceleration and relative PA as movement beyond the intensity of preferred walking speed in a 6-minute walking test (PArel). Self-reported PA was assessed using questionnaires.
Results
The prevalence and incidence were 36.2 % and 18.9 % for early, and 22.4 % and 14.9 % for advanced walking difficulty, respectively. PArel was lower in participants with prevalent (mean 42 (SD 45) vs. 69 (91) mins/week, p<0.001) but not incident early walking difficulty (53 (75) vs. 72 (96) mins/week, p=0.15) compared to those without difficulty. The associations between absolute measures of PA and incident walking difficulty were attenuated when adjusted for preferred walking speed.
Conclusions
The variation in habitual PA may not explain the differences in the development of new walking difficulty. Differences in physical performance explain a meaningful part of the association of PA with incident walking difficulty. Scaling of accelerometry to preferred walking speed demonstrated independence on physical performance and warrants future study as a promising indicator of PA in observational studies among older adults.
Keywords: older people; physical disabilities; forecasts; physical activity; walking (motion); pedometers
Free keywords: disablement; mobility limitation; exercise intensity; physical performance; accelerometer; cut-point
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Active ageing - resilience and external support as modifiers of the disablement outcome
- Rantanen, Taina
- European Commission
- Are older people becoming younger?
Cohort differences in perceived age and functional capacity among 75- and 80-year-old people assessed 28 years apart (The Evergreen 2)- Rantanen, Taina
- Research Council of Finland
- Bodily movement and sustaining quality of life in old age
- Rantalainen, Timo
- Research Council of Finland
- Bodily movement and sustaining quality of life in old age research costs)
- Rantalainen, Timo
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2022
JUFO rating: 3
