Physical Function and Pain as Predictors of Movement Behaviors in Adults With Arthritis

PurposeTo investigate how physical function performance and arthritis-related pain relate to sensor assessed movement behaviors in a diverse sample of inactive adults with various forms of arthritis.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingColumbia, SC.SubjectsAdults with arthritis (n = 267; 60.0% Black, 92.0% female, 64.1 ± 9.4 years) from a telephone-based walking intervention.MeasuresMovement behaviors (moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity, MVPA; sedentary time) were assessed with ActiGraph accelerometers at baseline. Physical function was assessed through the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the 30-second chair stand test (30CST). Arthritis-related pain was measured through a visual analog scale.AnalysisMultiple linear regression was used to examine the extent to which physical function performance and pain predicted movement behaviors while adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics.ResultsBetter 6MWT performance was positively associated with more MVPA per week (<i>P</i> < 0.001). Worse performance in the 6MWT (<i>P</i> < 0.001) and less pain (<i>P</i> = 0.02) were associated with more daily time spent sedentary. Performance in the 30CST was not significantly associated with either movement behavior.ConclusionThese findings emphasize the importance of functional endurance and pain management in promoting physical activity and sedentary behavior among inactive adults with arthritis. Future public health interventions should prioritize strategies to enhance these components to effectively promote physical activity and less sedentary time.