2249 Exploring the experiences of sedentary behaviour in older adults aged ≥ 75 years

Abstract Introduction Older adults are the fastest growing and most sedentary group in society. With sedentary behaviour associated with deleterious health outcomes, reducing sedentary time may improve overall well-being. Adults aged ≥75 years are underrepresented in sedentary behaviour research. This study aimed to qualitatively profile the sedentary behaviour of adults aged ≥75 years. This included ascertaining older adults’ understanding of sedentary behaviour; identifying the activities performed in sitting and standing and identifying the barriers and facilitators towards reducing sedentary time. Methods Four focus groups with community-dwelling older adults aged ≥75 years were held between October–December 2022. Audio recordings and workshop notes were transcribed verbatim and inductive and deductive thematic analyses were conducted. Results Six community-dwelling older adults with a mean age of 83 were recruited. Group members were largely unaware of their sedentary behaviour, and the risk associated with prolonged sedentary behaviour. The activities performed in sitting and standing, and barriers and facilitators to reducing sedentary time were charted to the Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B). Analytical themes explored sedentary behaviour throughout older adulthood, the influence of sedentary behaviour on sleep, and the importance of social connectedness to reduce sedentary time. Conclusions This study provided novel insights into older adults’ reports of sedentary behaviour progressing throughout older adulthood. Sedentary behaviour in adults aged ≥75 years present similarly to a younger subset of older adults with regards to the activities performed in sitting, and the barriers and facilitators to reducing their sedentary time. However, the activities performed in sitting may be performed for longer, and the barriers to reducing sedentary behaviour may present more frequently. Social support appears valuable when attempting to reduce sedentary time, however, further research is necessary to explore the views of older adults who are socially isolated.