Association between physical activity and tongue pressure among older adults attending a daycare center in Japan

This study aimed to investigate the association between tongue pressure and physical activity among older adults attending a daycare center. This cross-sectional study included 98 older adults who received rehabilitation at a daycare center in Japan between June and August 2024. Participants were eligible if they were aged ≥ 65 years, had no dementia, and could walk independently or with a walking aid. Individuals unable to undergo accelerometer measurement or who were absent for more than two weeks were excluded. Participant characteristics including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), level of long-term care, and comorbidities were assessed. Oral function (remaining teeth, tongue pressure, swallowing, and masticatory performance), physical function (handgrip strength and gait speed), and physical activity (accelerometer-based) were assessed. Interrelationships among these variables were examined using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Multiple regression analysis using the forced entry method was performed to identify factors independently associated with tongue pressure, with age, sex, and BMI included as covariates. Among the 98 participants, 40 were included in the final analysis (mean age 82.0 ± 5.4 years; 45.0% male). Tongue pressure showed significant correlations with masticatory performance, BMI, step count, sedentary time, light and moderate physical activity, 100-mL water swallowing test results, and handgrip strength ( p < 0.05). Step count, sedentary time, light physical activity, and BMI were identified as factors associated with tongue pressure. Among older adults using a daycare center in Japan, step count, sedentary time, light physical activity, and BMI were independently associated with tongue pressure.