Relationship between physical performance, physical activity and sedentary behavior in older adults

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between physical activity and performance and the combination of physical activity levels with sedentary behavior in older adults. The study evaluated 457 older adults from the Alcobaça Elderly Longitudinal Health Study. Physical performance was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery. Physical activity levels and sedentary behavior were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Poisson regression tests were performed to analyze the combined association between physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and their outcomes on physical performance. The results indicated that individuals classified as insufficiently active (< 150 min/week) and with high exposure to sedentary behavior (≥ P75, 540 min/day) were those with the lowest physical performance. Low physical performance is more prevalent among those with insufficient levels of physical activity, being worse in those who present insufficient physical activity and high exposure to sedentary behavior. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships.