Associations of Monitor-Assessed Activity with Performance-Based Physical Function

Natasha Reid; Robin M Daly; Elisabeth A H Winkler; Paul A Gardiner; Elizabeth G Eakin; Neville Owen; David W Dunstan; Genevieve N Healy

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153398

Associations of Monitor-Assessed Activity with Performance-Based Physical Function

PLoS One. 2016 Apr 13;11(4):e0153398. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153398. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Natasha Reid¹, Robin M Daly², Elisabeth A H Winkler¹, Paul A Gardiner^{1

3

4}, Elizabeth G Eakin¹, Neville Owen^{1

5

6

7}, David W Dunstan^{1

2

5

7

8

9}, Genevieve N Healy^{1

5

10

11}

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
² Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
³ Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia.
⁵ Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
⁶ Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁷ Department of Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁸ School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁹ School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth Australia.
¹⁰ Mary MacKillop Institute of Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
¹¹ School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional associations of monitor-derived measures of sedentary time and physical activity with performance-based physical function in healthy Australian adults. Data from 602 participants (mean age 58.1±10.0 years; 58% female) from the 2011/12 wave of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab3) study were analyzed. The thigh-worn activPAL3™ monitor (7-days continuous wear) was used to derive time during waking hours spent: sitting/reclining; standing; and, stepping (overall, and separately as light [<3 METs] and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA; ≥3 METs]), and number of sit-stand transitions. Associations of these (in hours/day, or 15 transitions/day) with physical function measures (8ft Timed Up and Go [TUG-8; log-transformed seconds] and Knee Extensor Strength [KES; kg]) were tested via linear regression, adjusting for confounders. Interactions by sex and age-category (<45; 45-54; 55-64; ≥65 years) were tested. In all participants, KES was significantly (p<0.05) associated with stepping and MVPA stepping only; none of the activity measures were associated with TUG-8. However, subgroup analysis revealed that in older adults (≥65 years), TUG-8 was associated with stepping and MVPA stepping (both p<0.05). All associations with sitting time, standing, sit-stand transition and sex interactions were not statistically significant. In summary, sitting time was not significantly associated with impaired muscle strength or gait/mobility in Australian adults aged 36-80 years, but light- to moderate activity (stepping) was positively associated with muscle strength, and gait/mobility in older adults aged ≥65 years. The direction of causation is not known and remains important to investigate considering the high prevalence of both poor function and limited activity in older age.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Australia
Cross-Sectional Studies
Exercise / physiology*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Monitoring, Physiologic
Motor Activity / physiology*
Sedentary Behavior*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by: National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC Program Grant #APP566940 to NO; Centre of Research Excellence grant #APP1057608 to GNH, NO, DWD, EGE with funding support provided to EAHW; Senior Principal Research Fellowship # 1003960 to NO; funding support to PAG from Centre of Research Excellence grant #APP1000986; Dementia Research Development Fellowship #1103311 to PG); Australian Research Council Research Fellowship (# FT100100918 to DWD); Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (# PH 12B 7054 to GNH); the Victorian Government’s OIS Program (to NO and DWD); and by the Australian Federal Government (Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship to NR). The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study (AusDiab), co-coordinated by the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, was supported in part by the Victorian Government's OIS Programme, and gratefully acknowledges the generous support given by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC grant 233200), Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Alphapharm Pty Ltd, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, City Health Centre-Diabetes Service-Canberra, Department of Health and Community Services—Northern Territory, Department of Health and Human Services—Tasmania, Department of Health—New South Wales, Department of Health—Western Australia, Department of Health—South Australia, Department of Human Services—Victoria, Diabetes Australia, Diabetes Australia Northern Territory, Eli Lilly Australia, Estate of the Late Edward Wilson, GlaxoSmithKline, Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Janssen-Cilag, Kidney Health Australia, Marian & FH Flack Trust, Menzies Research Institute, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Pty Ltd, Pratt Foundation, Queensland Health, Roche Diagnostics Australia, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Sanofi Aventis and Sanofi Synthelabo. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.