Is sitting time leading to mobility decline in long-term care residents?

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 183 - 186
• Main Authors: Lee, A. M., Sénéchal, M., Hrubeniuk, T. J., Bouchard, D. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Age; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Disability Evaluation; Exercise; Female; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Homes for the Aged; Humans; Long term health care; Long-Term Care - methods; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mobility; Mobility Limitation; Nursing Homes; Older people; Rehabilitation; Sedentary Behavior; Short Communication; Sitting Position; Walking - statistics & numerical data; Nursing homes; Frailty; Physical activity; Independence
• ISSN: 1720-8319; 1594-0667; 1720-8319
• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01148-z

Background
Little is known about the sitting time in long-term care (LTC) facilities, or if sedentary behaviour affects changes in mobility over time.
Aims
The objectives were to document the sitting time of LTC residents and to examine if sitting time could predict changes in mobility.
Methods
Twenty residents of an LTC facility, representing three mobility statuses (independent, assisted transfer, and dependent transfer) were included. Sitting time was defined using an ActivPAL. Mobility statuses were reviewed 12 months later.
Results
Participants spent an average of 21.9 h per day sedentary. At follow-up, five residents experienced a decline in mobility status, but no baseline sitting time variables were associated with the changes in mobility status (
P
 > 0.05).
Discussion/conclusion
People living in LTC are highly sedentary. Sitting time differs amongst the mobility statues, but is unable to predict upcoming changes in mobility status.