Predicting the Future Need of Walking Device or Assistance by Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity: A 2-Year Prospective Study of Women Aged 75 Years and Above

Abstract

Objective. To examine the association between daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and the change in mobility function among community-dwelling Japanese women aged 75 years and above. Methods. This prospective study included 330 older women aged 75 years and above who could walk without a walking device or assistance. MVPA and light-intensity physical activity (LPA) were assessed using an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. MVPA was defined as an activity with an intensity of >3 metabolic equivalents. The study outcome was a change in mobility function, defined as the need of walking device or assistance, during the two-year period. Results. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that MVPA was inversely associated with a decline in mobility function after controlling for LPA and potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.93 per 1 min/d, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.88–0.99; P = 0.017), whereas LPA was not when adjusted for MVPA and confounders (adjusted OR = 0.99 per 1 min/d, 95% CI = 0.96–1.01; P = 0.245). The receiver operating characteristics analysis identified a 7.9 min/d of MVPA as the cut-off value. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest the importance of promoting daily MVPA for preventing mobility limitation in older women aged 75 years and above.