Factors influencing the performance of rising from the floor among healthy Indian elderly

Abstract

Abstract Background: Sitting and rising from the floor significantly predict all-cause mortality. The increasing life span of older people and the need to maintain physical fitness and independent functioning necessitate engaging in different forms of habitual physical activity. This study explored the influence of chronic exposure to floor sitting on spatial-temporal variables of sitting from the floor and factors influencing older people’s ability to rise. Materials and Methods: Following approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee, spatial-temporal variables of sitting from the floor were measured in 120 community-dwelling healthy elderly (age 60–85 years, male-to-female ratio—1:1 and urban-to-rural ratio—1:1) Exposure to floor-level activities was recorded using MGM Ground Level Activity Exposure questionnaire. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure health-related physical activity. The sitting-rising test was captured using a digital camera. Ascent and descent times were computed, and the motor strategy used to act was recorded. Muscle strength of the lower extremity (Chair Raise Test), cardio-respiratory endurance (Six-Minute Walk Test), and balance (Berg Balance Test and Floor Square Step Test) were evaluated. Results: Urban people reported lower exposure to floor sitting [12.6 (16.2)] min/day (P = 0.000) compared with rural people [211.0 (76.9)] min/day (P = 0.000). Ascent time and descent time were more significant in urban people [42.6 (36.3)] min/day (P = 0.000) and 42.2 (30.7) min/day (P = 0.000) compared with rural people [20.0(10.4)] min/day and [21.3(13.7)] min/day (P < 0.05). Males required shorter activity time than females (P < 0.05). There was a moderate negative correlation between chronic daily exposure to cross-leg sitting and ascent time (Spearman’s rho = -0.407; P = 0.000) and descent time (Spearman’s rho = -0.409; P = 0.000), and moderate positive co-relation between daily cross-leg sitting exposure and cardio-respiratory exposure (Spearman’s rho = 528; P = 0.000), balance (Spearman’s rho = 371; P = 0.000), and muscle strength of lower extremity (Spearman’s rho = 632; P = 0.000). Discussion: Increases in the use of lower limb crossing during commencement, decreases in the use of hand support, and falls in the use of trunk rotations with lateral flexion throughout descent and ascent were all observed in those who had more daily habitual exposure to rising from the floor. People with less frequent exposure to rising from the floor in their daily routines showed the opposite tendency. Conclusion: Daily physical activity, including chronic exposure to rising from the floor, was observed to positively influence spatiotemporal variables, muscle strength of lower extremities, cardio-respiratory endurance, and balance. Factors influencing rising from the bottom need to be addressed by therapeutic interventions for maintaining the satisfactory functioning of older adults.