Association of 24-h movement behaviors with phase angle in community-dwelling older adults: a compositional data analysis

Background: Phase angle (PhA) is an indicator of cellular conditions. Recent studies have suggested that PhA supports healthy aging. Identifying modifiable lifestyle factors for PhA is important. The associations of PhA in 24-h movement behaviors, including physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep, have not been studied in older adults.

Objectives: We investigated the cross-sectional associations between 24-h movement behaviors and PhA in community-dwelling older adults while appropriately considering the co-dependent nature of daily time use using compositional data analysis.

Methods: The participants were 113 healthy older adults. PhA was measured using a bioelectrical impedance device. Time spent in light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), and SB was measured using a tri-axial accelerometer. Sleep duration information was self-reported in a questionnaire. Compositional multiple linear regression and compositional isotemporal substitution were performed to examine the associations of 24-h movement behaviors with PhA and hypothetical time reallocation in movement behaviors with PhA, respectively.

Results: Even after adjusting for potential confounders, relative to other behaviors more time spent in MVPA was significantly associated with higher PhA (p < 0.001). The 30 min/day of time reallocation from the other behaviors (SB, LPA, and sleep) to MVPA was predicted to be 0.12 higher PhA (corresponding to 2.3% increase; 95% CI 0.01, 0.24).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that increasing or maintaining the daily time spent in MVPA is important for managing PhA in older adults, regardless of the other behaviors time consumed instead.