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More physical activity lowers CHD risk in older, mobility-limited adults
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Older, mobility-limited adults who spent less time sedentary and more time physically active each day lowered their 10-year risk for CHD events, according to new data from the LIFE study.
Researchers examined the baseline association between CHD risk and physical activity among participants in the LIFE study. The analysis included 1,170 adults aged 74 to 84 years from eight U.S. sites. The mean age of participants was 78 years and 66% were women. All had physical limitations, but were able to walk at least 400 m.
Physical activity was tracked using a hip-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph, GT3X) that participants wore for 10 hours per day for at least 3 days. The amount of activity was divided into two groups to distinguish the level of intensity: 100 to 499 counts/min and at least 500 counts/min. Accelerometer readings less than 100 counts/min indicated inactivity.
On average, participants spent 111 to 642 min/day sedentary (<100 counts/min), 43 to 130 min/day active (100 to 499 counts/min) and 37 to 54 minutes intensely active (≥500 counts/min).
The researchers estimated 10-year risk using the Framingham Hard Coronary Heart Disease risk-prediction model. Ten-year risk increased with every minute per day of inactivity for patients with CVD (0.04%) and without CVD (0.03%), and decreased for every minute per day of activity regardless of CVD status (P < .05).
Although duration of activity was a factor for decreasing risk, degree of activity was not associated with risk in any model. However, in a post-hoc analysis, the researchers reported a significant association between counts/min and CHD risk in women (P <.001), but not men (P = .704).
In other results, every minute per day of inactivity was associated with decreased HDL levels in participants with CVD (–0.03 mg/dL; 95% CI, –0.06 to 0) and without CVD (–0.02 mg/dL; 95% CI, –0.04 to 0).
“It is becoming increasingly evident … that encouraging individuals to just reduce the amount of time they spend being sedentary may have important cardiovascular benefits,” Thomas W. Buford, PhD, director of the Health Promotion Center at the University of Florida Institute on Aging, said in a press release.
However, the researchers noted that approximately 60% of older adults and 77% of older adults with limited mobility engage in regular sedentary behavior.
“These findings add to the growing body of knowledge to inform physical activity recommendations for older persons, including those with mobility limitations,” Buford and colleagues wrote. – by Stephanie Viguers
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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