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. 2009 Jan;17(1):46-56.
doi: 10.1123/japa.17.1.46.

Ambulatory physical activity profiles of older adults

Scott J Strath  1 , Ann M Swartz, Susan E Cashin
Affiliations

Ambulatory physical activity profiles of older adults

Scott J Strath et al. J Aging Phys Act. 2009 Jan.

Abstract

This study examined objectively determined walking profiles of older adults across a wide range of sociocultural backgrounds. All individuals (N = 415; 131 men age 70.5 +/- 9.2 yr and 284 women age 71.5 +/- 9.0 yr) underwent physiological measurements, completed pen-and-paper surveys, and wore a pedometer for 7 consecutive days. The total sample accumulated a mean of 3,987 +/-2,680 steps/day. Age (r = -.485, p < .001) and body-mass index (BMI; r = -.353, p < .001) were negatively associated with steps per day. Multivariate analysis revealed that race/ethnic category (F = 3.15, df = 3), gender (F = 2.46, df = 1), BMI (F = 6.23, df = 2), income (F = 9.86, df = 1), education (F = 43.3, df = 1), and retirement status (F = 52.3, df = 1) were significantly associated with steps per day. Collectively these categories accounted for 56% of the variance in walking activity in this independently living, community-dwelling older adult sample. Sedentary characteristics highlighted within, and step-per-day values specific to, older adults have implications for planning targeted physical activity interventions related to walking activity in this population.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Profile of study events during the monitoring period.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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