A1 Journal article (refereed)
Physical Behavior Profiles Among Older Adults and Their Associations With Physical Capacity and Life-Space Mobility (2024)

Palmberg, L., Löppönen, A., Hyvärinen, M., Portegijs, E., Rantanen, T., Rantalainen, T., & Karavirta, L. (2024). Physical Behavior Profiles Among Older Adults and Their Associations With Physical Capacity and Life-Space Mobility. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 32(4), 472-479. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2023-0225

JYU authors or editors

Palmberg, Lotta
Löppönen, Antti
Hyvärinen, Matti
Rantanen, Taina
Rantalainen, Timo
Karavirta, Laura

Publication details

All authors or editors: Palmberg, Lotta; Löppönen, Antti; Hyvärinen, Matti; Portegijs, Erja; Rantanen, Taina; Rantalainen, Timo; Karavirta, Laura

Journal or series: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

ISSN: 1063-8652

eISSN: 1543-267X

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 16/02/2024

Volume: 32

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 472-479

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2023-0225

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94038

Abstract

We identified data-driven multidimensional physical activity (PA) profiles using several novel accelerometer-derived metrics. Participants aged 75, 80, and 85 (n = 441) wore triaxial accelerometers for 3–7 days. PA profiles were formed with k-means cluster analysis based on PA minutes, intensity, fragmentation, sit-to-stand transitions, and gait bouts for men and women. Associations with physical capacity and life-space mobility were examined using age-adjusted general linear models. Three profiles emerged: “Exercisers” and “actives” accumulated relatively high PA minutes, with actives engaging in lighter intensity PA. “Inactives” had the highest activity fragmentation and lowest PA volume, intensity, and gait bouts. Inactives showed lower scores in physical capacity and life-space mobility compared with exercisers and actives. Exercisers and actives had similar physical capacity and life-space mobility, except female exercisers had higher walking speed in the 6-min walk test. Our findings demonstrate the importance of assessing PA as multidimensional behavior rather than focusing on a single metric.

Keywords: physical functioning; physical activity; physical training; older people; risk factors; performance (capacity); measurement; capacity; cluster analysis